Dear Editor,

In 1963 Ada Munzberg purchased a 40-acre site in Wondervu, Coal Creek Canyon. She had plans to build a lodge and residence for herself and her two daughters Jennie and Ramona. For sixty years, the Eldora Lodge has provided a place to stay for visiting family members of the canyon or for those just wanting to enjoy the beauty of the area.

That may change. On September 19, 2023, a request for change of use from lodge to a marijuana grow, production and retail facility on Boulder County Docket SPR 23-0087 was submitted for the Eldora Lodge, 33247 Coal Creek Canyon Road.

Water is the lifeline up here. Wells will not produce forever. All residents of the mountains know that and may have to drill even deeper to reach an aquifer that will produce enough water to support the households near the property. A large cultivation marijuana retail facility is an irresponsible use of the water everyone works so hard to preserve in the canyon.

The fire danger is real. The fire department has expressed their requirements for the change of use and based them on 1) the heavily forested rural location with an extreme wildfire risk, 2) the high fire hazard presented by marijuana facilities, 3) the response time and capabilities of the CCCFD, and 4) the existing water supply infrastructure at the property. The fire department is volunteer and realizes the impact this facility would have on their ability to be effective and supportive of this canyon.

Dispensaries are targets for crime as they are currently cash businesses. The proposed marijuana facility is on the edge of Boulder County so on a good day, with no traffic, a Boulder County Sheriff in 40 minutes may reach the site. The potential for crime is great and the availability of protection is low.

There is currently increased traffic from the Gross Dam Expansion Project and soon for those visiting the new Denver Parks Axton Ranch. With increased traffic comes the increased risk of fire with those that do not understand the real danger of wildfires and the potential for more accidents relying on support from the volunteer fire department.

At one of the homes in the neighborhood, there are children playing on their property adjacent to the proposed marijuana facility. With the newly constructed barbed wire/ electric fence by the new owners of the proposed marijuana facility, these young children must make sure they don’t go by the fence that is now next to their swings.

There are also concerns about the water run-off into the soil – what fertilizers and pesticides will be used? Concerns about the wastewater. Concerns for the moose, deer, bear, fox that cross the highway and now run into a barbed wire fence on the back of the property.

The Eldora Lodge which has been recommended to become a historic landmark by Boulder County, cannot be converted into a marijuana grow, production and retail facility.

To make comments by email:

ebjelland@bouldercounty.org

planner@bouldercounty.gov

or commissioners@bouldercounty.gov

Or call 303-441-3930. Reference: SPR 23-0087

Pam Ling

Coal Creek Canyon