Interesting Information regarding the Wolf Creek Development

[Tippster]

It's a bit different. I don't have lawyers ghost writing FS policy. I thought I had a community of like minded ski weirdos who would be interested in the development of a ski area for skiing sake, not for real estate development.

Aside from the lawyers, go ahead, correct me.

I meant no offense. You like to ski as untrammeled a mountain as possible, he likes to make money. It seems to me that he is merely using his resources to accomplish his goal. You asked your resources (the mentioned ski wierdo community) to accomplish yours. Could this be merely a matter of scale and preference? [/devil's advocate]

I wonder if your form letter helped in the decision. I would not be surprised if it did.

[Spats]

Oil money, maybe? Oily hands, probably.

Then again, oil money did give us Snowbird...

You're thinking of Snowbasin, owned by Sinclair Oil. I don't think Earl Holding started it, but he bought it and turned it into the megaplex it is today.

Sinclair also owns Sun Valley.

[homerjay]

Maybe he's thinking of how Dick Bass made his fortune in Texas.

[Buster Highmen]

I meant no offense. You like to ski as untrammeled a mountain as possible, he likes to make money. It seems to me that he is merely using his resources to accomplish his goal. You asked your resources (the mentioned ski wierdo community) to accomplish yours. Could this be merely a matter of scale and preference? [/devil's advocate]

I wonder if your form letter helped in the decision. I would not be surprised if it did.

But I think it's an important distinction. And maybe you're muckraking. No matter.

While bought and paid for policy can and does masquerade as a democratic process, I hope I can point out the distinction here. I'm not objecting to the development per se. I'm objecting to the method in which the development was justified.

And despite current plopular political philosophy, the end does not justify the means. The process that counts as well.

I doubt the letter had anything to do with the judicial result. But thanks for the schmooz. (please don't tell me I need a fucking winkie...).

[Tippster]

I really have to stop arguing for the fun of it. But just not now...

Most Municipalities, especially one as cash poor as the one in question - we're not talking Arapahoe County here after all - will give credence to job creation and tax base expansion arguments over maintaining the status quo. Mountains only feed people (these days) if they generate income, be it natural resources or tourism.

Do the opponents have the moral/ethical high ground in this matter? In my opinion yes, but I'm sure those jobs (construction and Service Sector) will be greatly appreciated by the county and state government.

I would love not to have to sue the government under the Freedom of Information act for all public records that are deemed 'unseemly.' You are absolutely right that they should have provided them upon initial request without hesitation. His lawyers did nothing illegal.. the Sierra Club et al. have their own army of them on K Street doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately Big Business, by its very nature, has more resources to cry foul and shine a skewed light on any conservation efforts made that way, turning them into a bigger fight. Unfortunately that is the nature of the beast. I'm not defending it, but my rose colored glasses regarding public policy and its makers were shattered long before the current idiot entered the Oval office.

[homerjay]

Check this out: got a response in writing from Salazar, not sure if it's legit or not.

Dear Jeffrey:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed development on Wolf Creek Pass. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns on this situation.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I asked the Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, several questions about the United States Forest Service process regarding Wolf Creek. He asked the Chief of the Forest Service, Dale Bosworth, to answer those questions in writing. Chief Bosworth assured me that the public comments on this project would be considered as the Forest Supervisor decides whether to issue the permit for an access road to Mr. McCombs' property. Chief Bosworth also wrote "the decision to be made by the Forest Service is whether and how to provide access to a private inholding and . . .to assess the environmental effects of providing that access."

I will continue to work with Secretary Johanns and Forest Chief Bosworth to ensure the concerns of all Coloradans are considered, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Thanks again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator

[Blurred]

The forest service just approved the building of 2 access roads for the development. The end is near. (maybe they'll put in a chair that accesses some good terrain now)