Developers have withdrawn an application to build a sprawling gas station, truck stop and convenience store at Bakerville’s Interstate 70 exit, a gateway to beloved 14ers and recreation trails east of Eisenhower Tunnel, handing neighbors and outdoors enthusiasts what they call a rare victory for open space.
Clear Creek County’s planning department notified all public commenters Monday morning that the requested rezoning for the property was withdrawn, and there will no longer be a January hearing for the controversial pitch from Golden Gate, which has a chain of truckstops across the West. County planners had delayed a hearing planned for December in order to accommodate a surge of commentary from residents, nonprofit land protection groups and politicians.
“From the outside, everybody thinks that the Rocky Mountains are so rugged. But in reality, it’s very fragile, and it needs to be protected,” said Gary Woodward, who has a home about a mile from the proposed rezoning on the south side of I-70, on the access road leading up to Grays and Torreys peaks and Kelso Ridge. The exit is also access to the trailhead for a popular biking and skiing path up to Loveland ski area.
“You can’t just beat it up,” Woodward said. “And I think that this is just a great example of a grassroots, a community, getting together, and putting the word out there, letting people know what’s going on.”
The current zoning at the Bakerville exit doesn’t allow for gas stations or drive-through restaurants, said Bakerville resident Maggie Murray, who has helped direct commenters to the county’s planning process.
“The investment company that owns this lot bought it years after that plan was published, so they’ve known all along that the community would push back,” Murray said. “There were so many reasons that putting a truck stop here made no sense: outdoor recreation, public safety, environmental, economic and quality of life. Hopefully the fact that the applicant withdrew their proposal means they realized that. With the huge volume of comments that the county received, I think that shows just how important this area is to people.”
The engineering and design firm that had submitted an extensive rezoning application for the gas station complex did not respond Monday to a request for comment.
The rezoning application was withdrawn Friday, county public information officer Megan Hiler-Wilson said. She said the county did not have more information on the status of the project.
“Yes, they can reapply. Anyone can apply for a zoning change,” Hiler-Wilson said. “We are unsure if the applicant plans to reapply.”
A legion of opponents to the Bakerville proposal feared potential of yet another large gas-entertainment takeover of a pristine and popular Colorado spot, like the controversial Buc-ee’s at Palmer Lake and the QuikTrip planned to replace a nostalgic watering hole at El Rancho.
Woodward said activists hope the developer and the county will begin talking about protection of the Bakerville property through an open space nonprofit. Or, he added they could swap the land to the county for a more suitable commercial site at a place that already has developed retail, such as the Downieville exit to the east.
“Everybody up in the neighborhood is just thrilled,” Woodward said. “It’s amazing.”
Murray noted that in addition to the recreation trails, the proposed gas station is just a few hundred feet from Clear Creek on its way down to the Front Range. Trout Unlimited has done extensive mine reclamation in the area to clean up the stream and protect it.
“I’m thankful that the applicant here saw the writing on the wall, and I hope we can work together to figure out what the best future use is for this land,” Murray said. “There is so much happening in our world that people disagree with, and this win is a reminder that speaking up and working together does make a difference.”
Type of Story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
