Plains folk mounting forces vs. Super Slab

Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Opponents of the planned 210-mile Super Slab toll road are planning a mass mailing and meetings starting this week to organize property owners against the project.

The toll road, recently renamed Prairie Falcon Parkway Express, would run about 15 miles east of the Front Range urban strip, from north of Fort Collins to south of Pueblo. The project also would include relocated freight railroad tracks and a utility transmission corridor alongside it.

For the past year and a half, Plains residents have been galvanized in opposition to the project, which is the brainchild of developer Ray Wells, of Castle Rock.

Last month, Wells' company sent legal notices to about 4,000 property owners in the seven counties whose land would be touched by his three-mile-wide claim. Wells says he will need about 1,200 feet in width, meandering anywhere within that three-mile footprint.

Opponents succeeded in getting legislation passed that puts significant new restrictions on development of private toll roads, including stripping Wells' company of the power to condemn land.

The notices Wells sent were part of the new requirements, which also include more stringent approval processes.

But the toll road still could end up using property taken through condemnation if developers reach a partnership agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The citizens have raised money to fund a mass mailing to the same addresses that received Wells' notices. It informs the owners about the upcoming meetings in which the new laws will be explained.

"A lot of people are afraid," said Sharon Croghan, an opposition leader from Weld County. "We plan to work hard to educate the public about the problems with this proposal and the new procedures available to stop it."

Jason Hopfer, spokesman for Wells, said the developer will work with residents to address concerns.

Opponents will hold their first public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the New Weld Central High School gym in Keenesburg. The schedule is posted on several Web sites, including www.StupidSlab.com and www.NoSuperSlab.org.