The company cites local governance challenges after a year of recalls, resignations, lawsuits and debate, but other Colorado communities signal interest.<\/p>\n
PALMER LAKE, Colo. \u2014 Buc-ee\u2019s, the Texas-based travel center chain known for its massive roadside stops, has withdrawn its application to annex roughly 25 acres into the Town of Palmer Lake, according to town officials and the company. The decision follows more than a year of public meetings, legal challenges and political upheaval<\/a> in the small El Paso County town.<\/p>\n Located between Beacon Lite Road and I-25, the proposal dominated civic life in Palmer Lake.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been pretty much the one topic for a year and a half,\u201d said Roger Moseley, a Palmer Lake trustee said. \u201cI think it\u2019s time we paid attention to other things that are important to the town.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement, Stan Beard, Buc-ee\u2019s director of real estate and development, said, “After a thorough assessment of the current climate and governance challenges at the Town of Palmer Lake, Buc-ee\u2019s has withdrawn its annexation application. This decision is not a reflection of Buc-ee\u2019s interest in the community, but rather a step back to thoughtfully consider options under more stable and clearly defined circumstances. Buc-ee\u2019s will provide additional comment when and if circumstances change.”<\/p>\n The Town of Palmer Lake noted it had \u201cfollowed the established state annexation process, including public notice and opportunities for community input,\u201d and encouraged residents to attend public meetings.<\/p>\n For some local leaders and residents, the appeal was economic.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt was attractive because of the tax and income that we could get from their retail sales, and a little bit more money in the town would always be helpful,\u201d Moseley said.\u00a0<\/p>\n But the scale of the proposed development drew strong opposition.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a challenge because they wanted quite a bit of our water resources,\u201d Moseley said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He and others raised concerns about water use, traffic and impacts on open space near the site.\u00a0<\/p>\n Opponents noted that Colorado\u2019s governor and both U.S. senators publicly expressed concern about the location.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the governor and both of our senators say this is a bad location because they were concerned about the open space just north of here \u2014 why that didn\u2019t have more of an effect,\u201d Moseley said.<\/p>\n The fight reshaped local politics.<\/p>\n