Buc-ees met with fiery response by Palmer Lake residents at public comment over proposed store

PALMER LAKE, Colo. (KRDO) - At Palmer Lake Elementary School on Tuesday night, members of the developer team for a new Buc-ee's location that has been proposed off of I-25 and County Line Road, were met with hundreds of residents, with impassioned cries to not build in their town.

The convenience store giant is known as a roadside attraction with locations across the country. Their Luling, Texas location is the largest convenience store in the world, according to the company.

Buc-ee's says the land they're considering as a location is between I-25 and Beacon Lite Road, alongside County Line Road, however the plan was quickly been met with backlash from the community. A change.org petition has gained traction, garnering more than 2,300 signatures to stop the development from happening.

During a public meeting held by Buc-ee's for community members to voice their concerns on Tuesday night at a local elementary school, over 300 residents packed inside to make their voices heard.

Members of the development team stated that the property in question has been zoned as a Commercial property since 1955, and that there has been an intended plan for that space to be used for something like a rest stop. The latter statement was met by jeers and boos from the audience.

They continued through their presentation, showcasing the different foods and services that Buc-ees provides, as well as the job opportunities with positions that start at $20 dollars per hour.

One-by-one Palmer Lake residents took turns firing questions at the developer team over traffic concerns, weather impacts along the interstate, light pollution, property values, and impacts from wildlife migration in the area.

Many in attendance live within a mile or two from the proposed property. Some raised their voices, even speaking directly at members of the developer team. Residents seated in the cafeteria, routinely called out from the audience, shouting questions and comments and re-affirmed the sentiments of those who were speaking on the microphone to the developer team.

Other members of the community that spoke, included local business owners, people with federal environmental regulatory experience, as well as others who had experience with zoning laws.

Developers assured that they will follow all regulations required by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to accommodate the traffic changes that would be necessary at an intersection for entry and exit from Buc-ees, including making improvements to a bridge that goes over the interstate, which some people expressed wouldn't be able to handle the amount of drivers.

A representative stated that they would in-fact pay for a new bridge, if they choose to do so, and have built new bridges at other locations as well.

Residents specifically asked about the consideration of winter weather impacts, within what is a unique meteorology corridor around Monument Hill, including accidents like those caught on camera by KRDO13 in last weeks winter storm.

A developer team member stated that for their other Buc-ees locations in other states where adverse weather is present, they haven't seen major traffic disruptions.

Then, after repeated questions about why Buc-ees specifically chose the County Line Road exit along I-25, a developer team member stated that they pick locations that are the best for what they do for a living.

The meeting lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, before attendees began to file out in groups.

Still, the property will need to be annexed before the project moves forward. That decision will come from the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees. They have a hearing on Dec. 12 at Town Hall at 6 p.m.