PALMER LAKE, Colo. (KRDO) – The proposed Buc-ee’s travel stop in Palmer Lake has stirred both excitement and opposition for months.

Now, for the first time, the town is releasing specific numbers on what Buc-ee’s is offering – and what it could mean for the small community.

What’s in the proposed deal?

The Town of Palmer Lake says Buc-ee’s would cover major infrastructure costs if the project moves forward:

Two new wells: Buc-ee’s would pay for a redundant town well and another well for its own water needs, plus a water treatment plant.

Road upgrades: All road improvements, including work near I-25 and County Line Road, would be paid for by Buc-ee’s.

Sales tax boost: The deal would bring about $1 million a year in sales tax revenue to Palmer Lake. Buc-ee’s would get a 1% rebate for 20 years; the town keeps 2%.

Community funds: Buc-ee’s would also contribute a one-time $350,000 community payment and cover ongoing property taxes.

Mayor Pro Tem Amy Hutson says that money could go a long way in a small town:

“The town needs a new redundant well… and we will have up to a million – at least a million dollars – in sales tax. And that’s after the share back, which is a 20-year share back. They get 1% and we’ll get 2%.”

The proposal hasn’t come without pushback. Residents have crowded meetings, voicing concerns about traffic, light pollution, and the size of the project.

Hutson says those concerns shaped negotiations, “They are compromising on almost no light trespass off of the property. They’re changing the warmth of the light so it’s not so blaring.”

The plan now includes “dark sky” lighting standards and landscaping designed to blend in with the area.

Despite the newly released terms, nothing is final. The Buc-ee’s proposal will first go before the Planning Commission for review and then to the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees for a vote.

That vote is scheduled for August 28, 2025.

Until then, town leaders say they want the public to see exactly what’s on the table.

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