HomeMy WebLinkAboutPriscilla Prohl-Cooper_9-JAN-26Priscilla Prohl-Cooper
4350 County Road 115
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
January 9, 2026
Garfield County Commissioners
108 8th Street, Suite 101
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
RE: Harvest Roaring Fork Development
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing today to express my strong opposition to the proposed
Harvest Roaring Fork Development.
1). Highway 82:
Highway 82's capacity is already dysfunctional depending on the time of
day. Residents experience daily congestion, long delays and safety risks
due to the volume of traffic the highway currently has. Adding hundreds
of new residential units and commercial spaces will significantly worsen the
current conditions. What happens if we needed to evacuate due to an
emergency? The bottom line is Highway 82 simply cannot absorb the
additional load that this development would generate. Approving this
project would only create long-term transportation problems that the
county will be forced to manage without adequate infrastructure.
2). Local Roads and Emergency Access:
The overflow from the highway already pushes drivers onto local roads
not designated for heavy traffic. Increased congestion will slow emergency
response times and create unsafe conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and
school traffic. All of which we already see daily.
3). Protection of Wildlife and Local Ecosystems:
The proposed development poses significant risks to the wildlife and
ecological systems that define our county's natural character. This area
supports a wide range of species, including several that rely on
uninterrupted habitat corridors for migration, breeding and daily
movement. Fragmenting these habitats with dense constructions will
disrupt established wildlife patterns and will lead to long-term population
declines. Beyond individual species, this land plays a vital role in
maintaining the health of the broader ecosystem. Native vegetation, soil
structure and natural drainage patterns work together to support
pollinators, birds, elk, deer, fish, etc. Once we disturb these fragile
systems they cannot be easily restored.
4). Water Resources and Water Quality:
The Roaring Fork watershed is already facing increasing pressure on its
groundwater and surface water supplies due to population growth,
drought cycles and climate driven variability. Adding a development of
this scale risks overextending resources that are already strained.
Converting this land into dense constructions, with large areas of
pavement and rooftops, will significantly reduce infiltration and increase
stormwater runoff. That runoff carries pollutants such as oils, fertilizers
and sediment into the nearby waterways, degrading water quality for both
wildlife and downstream communities.
5). Preservation of Rural Character:
One of the defining qualities of our county is its rural character, open
landscapes, agricultural heritage and a sense of space that residents deeply
value. The proposed density of 1,500 residential units and up to 450
ADU's, a hotel and commercial space on the 283 acres is fundamentally
incompatible with the valley's rural identity.
Allowing this project to move forward would set a dangerous precedent
for future high density projects. Growth can and should occur, but it must
be aligned with the community's vision, one that respects the land,
supports existing rural uses and maintains the character that the residents
cherish.
For all of these reasons, I respectfully request that the Board consider the
long term implication of this development and protect the rural character
that defines our county and deny this project.
Thank you for your service to the county and for your consideration in this
matter, it is greatly appreciated.
Prohl-Cooper
cc: Community Development