EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — Several nonprofit organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Town of Palmer Lake, its mayor, and other city officials over a controversial plan to annex land to open a Buc-ee's convenience store.
The lawsuit, filed Friday, alleges a multitude of violations including improper land annexation agreements, restriction of free speech, and violation of open meeting laws for matters surrounding the development of the popular Texas-based chain, which opened its first Colorado location near Johnstown in 2024.
Nonprofit Integrity Matters filed the suit, along with Westside Watch, TriLakes Preservation, Inc., United Congregational Church, and other individuals and business owners in the Palmer Lake region.
Integrity Matters is a self-proclaimed "non-profit watchdog group advocating for transparency and ethical governance at all levels of government." The group similarly filed a December lawsuit against the Pikes Peak Library District following the closure of the Rockrimmon Library.
Westside Watch is a public safety organization for wildfires. A representative said they're involved due to concerns about fire evacuation traffic and increased water usage should the Buc-ee's be built.
"This is not a lawsuit against Buc-ee's. It's against process and procedure and bad governance from the Town of Palmer Lake," said Kat Gayle, the chief legal counsel for Integrity Matters and Westside Watch.
The organizations are suing after the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees voted 4-1 in early December stating they're legally able to annex the county land for a proposed Buc-ee’s. Currently, the land is in El Paso County right along County Line Road, the dividing boundary between El Paso and Douglas Counties.
The board has not yet decided on whether or not the land will be annexed, but a large-scale public outcry from residents and business owners alike is urging the town not to move forward with the plans.
Residents and Integrity Matters have also filed complaints with the Colorado Attorney General's Office asking AG Phil Weiser to intervene.
On Friday, the Town of Palmer Lake released a statement regarding the numerous concerns community members had.
"At the time of the eligibility hearing, the Town complied with the fire safety occupancy limits of the Town Hall (80+ chairs to be seated), live stream access of the proceedings, and broadcast the proceedings over audio speakers to those outside Town Hall. The Board listened to every individual who attended the hearing and indicated their desire to speak. No one was prevented from speaking on the issue of eligibility."
As a result of the process followed in considering whether the property is eligible to be annexed, the Town believes it provided a full and fair hearing and is not aware of any violations of open meeting or other laws or regulations."
On Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar's Facebook page, she shared the press release and wrote, "We will not be intimidated or threatened by activist groups and will continue to serve legally and with due diligence."
While the lawsuit isn't against the popular gas station chain itself, the land that the board of trustees voted on was for the proposed site of the new Buc-ee's.
The complaint requests a judge to void and vacate the eligibility of land annexation by the Town of Palmer Lake for the proposed Buc-ee's.
The Town of Palmer Lake has not responded to the lawsuit at this time.
- Read one of the formal complaints sent to Attorney General Phill Weiser on behalf of Integrity Matters below.
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.