HomeMy WebLinkAboutMichael and Suzanne Dalton_16-FEB-26Dear Sirs,
We are writing with deep concern about the proposed large-scale development, HARVEST
ROARING FORK, at the Cattle Creek Confluence, where Cattle Creek meets the Roaring
Fork River. This area is one of the last intact open spaces along the river and is vital not only
to Garfield County, but to the health and sustainability of the entire Roaring Fork Valley —
including Pitkin and Eagle Counties.
Here are key reasons why this proposed project should not move forward as proposed:
Traffic, Safety & Infrastructure:
— Thousands of new vehicle trips would overwhelm Highway 82 and local roads, requiring
new traffic lights and stretching emergency response capacity. This puts residents at
greater risk.
— During a major wildfire event, the added congestion of thousands of additional cars on
roads combined with inadequately scaled emergency services will likely lead to a
catastrophic loss of life and property. After witnessing the tragic consequences of the
California wildfires it would be grossly negligent to allow this development to proceed.
Water Quality & Watershed Health
— The Roaring Fork watershed is already under significant strain. A large development
without robust stormwater safeguards would increase runoff, pollution, and sediment,
degrading water quality for communities downstream.
Rural Character & Scenic Beauty
— The Developer’s self-serving pitch of conservation and affordability is an insult to the
community’s intelligence. In an effort to maximize profits, they are disregarding major fire
life safety issues, trying to cram a high density urban development in an environmentally
sensitive area, and trying to win public sentiment by claiming they are providing affordable
housing for workers while in reality 90% of the project will not be within the worker’s reach.
— The proposed density — 1,500 residential units, up to 450 ADU’s, a hotel, and
commercial space on 283 acres — is fundamentally incompatible with existing zoning and
with the valley’s rural identity.
Public Services & Community Costs
— Geographic, resource and ingress/egress constraints combine to limit the natural growth
within the valley. We are currently stretching the capacity of our fire, EMS, School and
other public services with the current population. Adding 4,000 plus residents and 12,000
daily trips to Highway 82 to the equation is unfeasible, irresponsible and not sustainable.
— The proposal does not account for the strain on schools, fire protection, EMS, and
utilities. This leaves existing taxpayers and communities to absorb the costs of growth.
Ecosystems & Wildlife
— Natural beauty and wildlife are some of the most important resources the Valley has to
offer. Residents and tourists alike are drawn to the area for these irreplaceable
resources. To scar and pollute the landscape with this high-density blight of a
development will only serve to irreparably devalue some of the most precious resources
our valley has to offer.
— The confluence is a rich ecological corridor, home to bald eagles, herons, elk, deer,
foxes, trout, and migratory birds. Development of this scale would fragment critical habitat
and disrupt migration and breeding grounds.
This issue extends beyond Garfield County. Fire life safety, water quality, wildlife migration,
and development precedent will affect the broader valley — including Pitkin and Eagle
Counties. Our region must prioritize safe sustainable growth that protects natural
resources and community well-being.
We respectfully urge you to reject this development as proposed and to protect the Cattle
Creek Confluence for current and future generations.
Thank you for your leadership and for listening to the concerns of residents across the
Roaring Fork Valley.
Sincerely,
Michael and Suzanne Dalton
Cc: Glenn Hartmann,
John Leybourne,
Perry Will,
Mike Samson,
Tom Jankovsky