Help Us Save Spring Valley

 

JOIN THE SPRING VALLEY COALITION

We need the entire community to be active and concerned about the impacts of irresponsible development in our rural places. Help us preserve vital natural resources, protect wildlife habitat, ensure our community’s safety and encourage responsible growth that does not destroy the heritage and character of our Western Slope way of life.

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A Winter View of Spring Valley from Above

THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS

Spring Valley Ranch Development

Storied Development, a Georgia-based development firm, is proposing to build a luxury private golf community on 6,000 acres of the Spring Valley Ranch area in unincorporated Glenwood Springs. The planned development will include 577 high-end homes, two private golf courses, a private ski hill, clubhouse, restaurant, fitness center, event space, and retail stores. The application for this development is currently under review by the Garfield County Planning Department.

You Should be Concerned...

In recent years, the Roaring Fork Valley has experienced unprecedented growth and development. Wildland areas have increasingly been encroached upon by housing and commercial developments, with negative consequences for both wildlife and human residents. The Spring Valley Coalition strongly opposes the Spring Valley Ranch development project, and is deeply concerned about the negative impact it will have on our local wildlife habitat, land and water resources, transportation infrastructure, and the distinctive rural character of Garfield County.

THE LONGTERM MISSION

Preserve Rural Garfield County

There are generations of locals whose ancestors settled this area, and many more who have migrated here over the recent decades. If you plant your roots here, you understand the value of preserving what is left of it’s resources and fragile environment.

The Spring Valley Coalition, LLC, is a community-based organization representing the shared interests of a diverse group of stakeholders who oppose the Spring Valley Ranch planned development project and other development efforts that threaten the quality of life for current residents of the county and region. Our members include property owners, ranchers, environmental groups, and concerned citizens. We are a multifaceted group welcoming anyone and everyone interested in preserving the unique features and fragile environment of our Garfield County communities.

Our Mission...

We are a grassroots alliance seeking to unite Garfield County and neighboring communities to safeguard Spring Valley, the Roaring Fork Valley, and the Western Slope of Colorado from negative development impacts and irresponsible resource use. We value sustainable land management that will preserve water and prevents wildfire, and we adamantly oppose anything that threatens the rural infrastructure, serene character and safety of the citizens or wildlife already here.

Key Concerns

Depleting Water+Land Resources

The planned development intends to use 1,000,000 gallons of water per day during the summer and almost as much in winter for snowmaking on a private south facing ski hill. The frivalous use of water for private recreational uses in a region that already has inter-state water shortages, and existing public recreational facilities for golf and skiing is irresponsible and wasteful. Additionally, there are local homeowners in the valley who already experience reduced water production during dry summers.

Destroying Critical Habitat

Wildlife, including (but certainly not limited to) migratory birds, turkey, bear, mountain lions, bobcat, coyotes, deer and elk, will be displaced  and significantly strained as their habitat is disrupted. Currently, the Spring Valley area provides winter and summer range for the local mule deer and a sizable elk herd, and condensed development in the planned areas will interfere substantially with migration and calving. As well as causing imbalance through the entire ecosystem.

SPOIL OUR RURAL CHARACTER

The Roaring Fork Valley has long been a rural area with a rich agricultural history and ranching heritage. Despite its proximity to Aspen, Garfield County has maintained its local charm and rural identity, and has largely avoided the second-home market which threatens to overuse resources and change the physical charm of the area. This new development is inconsistent with the character of our community and would be prioritizing out of state interests ahead of the quality of life for the current locals and residents.

Overburdening Infrastructure

As a result of this new development, the average daily traffic count traveling CMC road (CR 114) is estimated to increase to 5,703 new vehicle trips/weekday. This increased traffic will exacerbate already serious safety issues on Highway 82 and the intersections at County Roads 110/113, 114, and 115, as well as cause serious wear and tear. In addition, CR 114 is the primary evacuation route when another wildfire occurs in the Spring Valley area, and the associated traffic from this development will create congestion and significant safety issues in the event of an evacuation.

Worsening the Housing crisis

This new development, with its target market of exclusive second-home owners, is selling a custom built lifestyle and private amenities that do little to help improve the county’s affordable housing issues. Meanwhile the estimated $2M lots and $5-8M homes that the developer is hoping to promote will continue to drive up property values and taxes in an area already facing a critical housing and labor shortage. 

We Have the Power to Impact Our Future, Join Us In Doing Something About It

Take Action – Get Involved

We need extensive community support to display to the county commissioners that the proposed development in Spring Valley is not healthy for the citizens, landscape or wildlife of Garfield County. Each person can make a difference by speaking up. Please TAKE ACTION in any of the following ways. 

Write the County Commissioners

They need to know what the community thinks and how this will negatively impact safety, resources, and quality of life for citizens and wildlife.

Join the Coalition

It takes a village…we need ideas, perspectives, contacts, and people who care working to mitigate the impacts of irresponsible development plans.

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Upcoming Events

May

2024

Attend a County Meeting to Voice Your Thoughts

  • Board of County Commissioners – Regular Meeting – May 6th, 8:00 A.M.
  • Board of County Commissioners – Work Session – May 7th, 9:00 A.M.
  • Planning Commission May 8th, 6:00 P.M.
  • Board of County Commissioners – Regular Meeting – May 13th, 8:00 A.M.
  • Board of County Commissioners – Regular Meeting – May 20th, 8:00 A.M.
Turkey and Rural Views from Spring Valley, Colorado

“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use our natural resources, but I do not recognize the right to waste them, or to rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

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