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Palmer Lake Land Annexation for Proposed Buc-ees Gas Station & Travel Center
On December 12th, 2024, the Town of Palmer Lake Passed an Annexation Eligibility Resolution for the Proposed Buc-ees. Angry and outraged citizen over both the annexation and numerous violations to our constitutional rights and Colorado Open Meetings Laws asked for help from Integrity Matters. A thorough analysis of the hearings shows numerous violations to Colorado State Statutes which you can read here. We sent an email to the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees sharing the violations to state statutes and their own Annexation Eligibility Resolution asking them to call an emergency vote to rescind their vote and follow Colorado Open Meetings Law, the US Constuction and Colorado State Statutes to avoid costly legal challenges that the taxpayers will fund. A date for a response of 1/6/2025 was given to provide us with time to file the legal complaints should they foolishly elect to proceed. Citizen of Palmer Lake also filed a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General that included objections to being left to stand in freezing temperatures when empty chairs in the hearing were available and capacity had not been met and told there would be no vote (when there was), threatened by Palmer Lake leadership,
Heave the Beave!
Sample emails to Monument, Colorado Attorney General, Palmer Lake Board of Trustees
Speak up to correct this political malpractice by taking the seconds it takes to send the 3 emails below (or use them to write your own). Be sure the copy/paste the press and us for transparency. This is important. The media wants to hear from you.
Town of Monument Sample Email:
To: mlakind@tomgov.org, sking@tomgov.org, sabbott@tomgov.org, jromanello@tomgov.org, lkronick@tomgov.org,kkimple@tomgov.org, mfiorito@tomgov.org
Cc: chelsea.brentzel@krdo.com, breeanna.jent@gazette.com, brennen.kauffman@gazette.com, mary.shinn@gazette.com, akeith@kktv.com, asack@kxrm.com, achalfin@krcc.org, maggie.bryan@koaa.com, news@krdo.com, news@kktv.com, news@koaa.com, news@fox21news.com, newsroom@denverpost.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, talkshow@aol.com, news@cpr.org, integritymatterscos@gmail.com
Subject: Protect Our Community and Resources: Oppose the Palmer Lake Annexation
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Dear Mayor LaKind and Town Council Members,
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I am writing as a concerned resident of unincorporated El Paso County, residing close to the proposed Buc-ee's site. I urge the Town of Monument to take a firm stance against this development and officially oppose the annexation of the site by Palmer Lake. The potential harm to the entire Tri-Lakes area far outweighs any localized benefits.
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This project threatens to impose significant challenges on our community, including increased traffic congestion, insufficient infrastructure, strain on natural resources, and disruption to the area's character. While I support responsible and thoughtful development, a Buc-ee's megastore is not aligned with the needs, values, or long-term interests of our community.
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The Problems with Buc-ee's:
Traffic Overload: Buc-ee's is expected to bring over 8,000 cars per day, overwhelming our roads and creating dangerous congestion.
Excessive Water Use: The projected water consumption is 860,000 gallons per month—a staggering and unsustainable draw on our local resources.
Lack of Local Benefits: With 90% of Buc-ee’s customers being highway travelers, the development offers little to no utility for the residents of our area, contradicting the intended purpose of the "Commercial Community" zoning designation.
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Legal and Procedural Concerns:
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I am deeply troubled by the Town of Palmer Lake's handling of this project. Integrity Matters publishes a legal analysis identifying numerous violations to state statutes and Palmer Lake's own Annexation Resolution. The December 12 Board of Trustees meeting demonstrated a concerning disregard for transparency and legal requirements, including:
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Violations of Colorado Revised Statutes
Non-compliance with Open Meeting Laws
Disregard for public input from the broader Tri-Lakes community
Concerned citizens have filed a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General over this political abuse. Such actions undermine public trust and set a dangerous precedent for future development in our region.
A Call to Action:
I respectfully request the Town of Monument to:
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Officially oppose Palmer Lake's annexation of this site for Buc-ee's.
Advocate for development projects that truly serve the community’s needs while respecting zoning designations and preserving our shared resources.
Join or support the lawsuit challenging Palmer Lake’s handling of this annexation to ensure accountability and uphold the principles of good governance.
Your leadership can help protect our community, our resources, and the integrity of our local laws. Thank you for considering this urgent issue, and I look forward to your response.
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Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Colorado Attorney General Sample Email
To: AG@coag.gov
Cc: chelsea.brentzel@krdo.com, breeanna.jent@gazette.com, brennen.kauffman@gazette.com, mary.shinn@gazette.com, akeith@kktv.com, asack@kxrm.com, achalfin@krcc.org, maggie.bryan@koaa.com, news@krdo.com, news@kktv.com, news@koaa.com, news@fox21news.com, newsroom@denverpost.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, talkshow@aol.com, news@cpr.org, integritymatterscos@gmail.com
Subject: Request for Immediate Action on Palmer Lake Annexation Violations
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Dear Attorney General Weiser,
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I am writing to urge your office to take swift and decisive action regarding the Town of Palmer Lake’s handling of the annexation eligibility of a parcel of land proposed for the development of a Buc-ee’s. Serious concerns have been raised about the Town’s conduct during the December 12, 2024, public meeting and subsequent vote. As outlined in the detailed Integrity Matters press release and the citizens' complaint filed with your office, Palmer Lake’s Board of Trustees appears to have violated multiple Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), as well as Sunshine Law and Open Meeting Laws.
Key Concerns:
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Violation of Colorado Law:
The annexation process reportedly violated specific provisions of C.R.S., rendering the annexation ineligible. This legal overreach undermines the integrity of the annexation process and sets a dangerous precedent for local governance.Transparency and Due Process Issues:
The Town’s failure to adhere to Sunshine Law and Open Meeting requirements has further eroded public trust. Reports also detail troubling behaviors by elected officials, raising serious questions about bias and the integrity of their decision-making process.Impact on Public Confidence:
The Tri-Lakes community is already deeply concerned about the implications of this annexation, including increased traffic, environmental stress, and resource overuse. These concerns are now compounded by the Town of Palmer Lake’s lack of transparency and apparent disregard for public input.
Why Action Is Critical:
The Town of Palmer Lake’s actions, if left unchecked, risk undermining not only the local community but also the broader principle of accountability in public governance. Your intervention is vital to ensure compliance with Colorado law and to hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
Our Request:
We respectfully request that your office:
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Conduct a thorough investigation into the reported violations of C.R.S., Sunshine Law, and Open Meeting Laws.
Ensure that the annexation process complies with all applicable laws and that the concerns of the community are addressed.
Take appropriate measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, safeguarding the integrity of local governance.
The people of Colorado depend on your office to uphold the rule of law and ensure fairness in governmental processes. Please act decisively to address this situation and restore trust in our system.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
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Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees Sample Email
To: ghavenar@palmer-lake.org, dstern@palmer-lake.org, sball@palmer-lake.org, tcaves@palmer-lake.org, kdreher@palmer-lake.org, ahutson@palmer-lake.org, ajurka@palmer-lake.org, dawn@palmer-lake.org
Cc: chelsea.brentzel@krdo.com, breeanna.jent@gazette.com, brennen.kauffman@gazette.com, mary.shinn@gazette.com, akeith@kktv.com, asack@kxrm.com, achalfin@krcc.org, maggie.bryan@koaa.com, news@krdo.com, news@kktv.com, news@koaa.com, news@fox21news.com, newsroom@denverpost.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, talkshow@aol.com, news@cpr.org, integritymatterscos@gmail.com
Subject: Urgent Concern: Violations and Transparency in Buc-ee's Annexation Process
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Dear Palmer Lake Mayor Havenar and Board of Trustees,
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I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent press release by Integrity Matters, which outlines a series of alarming violations of Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) related to the Buc-ee’s annexation meeting and subsequent vote. These allegations include not only procedural errors but also troubling questions about the conduct of certain elected officials. Such actions undermine due process and shake the trust of the community you are sworn to serve.
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The Tri-Lakes community is already deeply apprehensive about the potential consequences of this annexation. These concerns—ranging from increased traffic and resource strain to environmental and zoning misalignment—are now compounded by a lack of transparency in the application’s handling. The perception of questionable behavior and possible bias within the Board’s decision-making process only heightens public frustration and mistrust.
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Serious Legal Concerns:
As detailed in the Integrity Matters analysis sent to each of you and press release, the annexation process appears to violate well-established provisions of C.R.S. land use statutes. The annexation is not legally eligible, and proceeding without correcting these missteps could have significant repercussions for the Town, the taxpayers and its leadership.
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A Call to Action:
I urge you to:
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Repeal the Annexation Eligibility Resolution: Take immediate steps to review and rectify the procedural and statutory errors by rescinding the approval of the December 12th, 2024, Annexation Eligibility Resolution 60-2024.
Investigate Potential Bias: Ensure that decision-making processes are free from any undue influence or conflicts of interest.
Rebuild Public Trust: Engage in transparent communication with the community to restore confidence in your leadership and the governance of Palmer Lake.
Your position as elected officials carries a profound responsibility to uphold the law, serve the community, and act in its best interest. By addressing these concerns proactively and transparently, you can demonstrate your commitment to ethical governance and rebuild trust with your constituents.
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Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I, along with many others in the community, look forward to your response and your actions to address these critical issues.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]