Addressing \u201csignificant public interest,\u201d El Paso County released a statement on its website last week saying that planning staff have not received an application for a Buc-ee\u2019s. <\/p>\n
\u201cA project such as the construction of a Buc-ee\u2019s does require a transparent public process,\u201d read the statement. <\/p>\n
The county\u2019s note addressed rumors around a land application opened earlier this month. According to El Paso County records, Vertex Consulting Services, LLC, applied on behalf of the landowner for a boundary line adjustment on the parcel where a Buc-ee\u2019s has previously been planned. <\/p>\n
The request would change the property line between two parcels and is subject to administrative review by county staff. The county stressed that the change would not allow any construction. <\/p>\n
The statement has not stopped dozens of emails to the county from residents opposing Buc-ee\u2019s and protesting activity on the property, according to planning records. <\/p>\n
Vertex does not state a reason for the boundary line application in the submitted documents, and Buc-ee\u2019s could not be reached for comment. The application gives a legal justification for changing the property line, including that the change would not affect water rights.<\/p>\n
Buc-ee\u2019s is a Texas-based travel center chain with one location in Colorado. A second proposed location near Monument Hill along Interstate 25 has received concerted opposition since developers announced plans in 2024. <\/p>\n
The company originally sought to annex the proposed site into the nearby small town of Palmer Lake and access the town\u2019s groundwater resources in exchange for covering the cost of two new wells. After significant protest and leadership turnover in Palmer Lake during a year-long evaluation process, the annexation request was withdrawn earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Company representatives have not said why the request was withdrawn. But Buc-ee\u2019s consultant Mark Waller previously told The Gazette that developers were \u201cexploring all of their options at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n
El Paso County said any commercial construction would require a \u201cdetailed\u201d site development plan to determine whether the project met the land use code.<\/p>\n
\u201cCounty Staff does not treat projects differently and applies standard process and criteria to every request,\u201d the statement read. <\/p>\n
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