COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – UPDATE (5:30 p.m., 8/27/26): Thursday evening, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 that the proposed Buc-ee’s qualifies as an allowed use in the county’s C-1 zoning district under the Land Development Code.
This vote does not determine whether Buc-ee’s can be built, only that it is an allowed use of the area.
A statement from the county reads in part “Today’s decision is limited to the land-use classification at issue in the appeal. It does not, by itself, approve construction or operation of the proposed Buc-ee’s development and does not constitute approval of a site development plan, grading, drainage, traffic improvements, utilities, signage, lighting, building permits or other required project approvals.”
Now, Buc-ee’s must submit a site development plan which will be reviewed by county staff.
11 News has reached out to Buc-ee’s for comment on the decision.
UPDATE (4 p.m., 8/27/26): The Facebook livestream of Thursday’s meeting is included in the body of this article to avoid interruption by KKTV 11 News at 4.
UPDATE (12:30 a.m., 8/27/26): The meeting is resuming and a livestream is available at the top of this article.
UPDATE (11:30 a.m., 8/27/26): The meeting has taken a break for lunch. The first two-and-a-half hours of the meeting is available to watch here:
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners is set to hear an appeal Thursday over a proposed Buc-ee’s near Interstate 25 and County Line Road.
The Aug. 27 hearing will focus on a single question: whether the proposed Buc-ee’s use qualifies as an allowed use in the county’s C-1 zoning district under the Land Development Code.
The hearing will not determine whether Buc-ee’s can be built.
Instead, commissioners will consider an administrative determination issued by the county’s Planning and Community Development Director regarding how the proposed development should be classified under the county’s zoning code.
Under the county’s Land Development Code, C-1 zoning allows convenience stores, which generally provide goods such as groceries, ready-to-eat food and over-the-counter medications. Fuel sales can be permitted as an accessory use.
The proposed Buc-ee’s has drawn debate over whether its size, fueling operation, retail offerings and other components fit within that classification.
The county says the hearing will not approve or deny construction of the Buc-ee’s. Any future development would still be subject to additional county reviews and approvals, as applicable.
The hearing comes after months of public discussion surrounding the proposed project, including concerns about water resources, environmental impacts, traffic, growth and the character of the Tri-Lakes area.
The county says public input is part of the Board of County Commissioners’ hearing process. Residents can participate by submitting written comments, attending the hearing or speaking during the public comment portion.
The county said it cannot comment on the specific case ahead of the hearing because of the nature of the proceeding.
The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider the Buc-ee’s appeal Thursday, Aug. 27.
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