The Ridge at Fox Run

Dellacroce Gravel Pit vote

Gravel Pit Approved

This article is from the August 27, 1999 issue of The Gazette

Commission OKs pit expansion

Homeowners oppose gravel project near Baptist Road
By Pam Zubeck/The Gazette
Story editor Bill Vogrin; headline by Rhonda Van Pelt

Private property rights won out over the quality-of-life demands of new county residents as the El Paso County Commission allowed a far-reaching expansion of gravel mining on the Dellacroce Ranch.

In a 3-1 vote Thursday, the commission approved a 24-year extension of the operating life of the gravel pit. And it will allow the six-acre pit to expand to 72 acres in 12 stages.

The commission also voted to require its owners, brothers Robert and Raymond Dellacroce, to reclaim the land, located north of the Springs near Baptist Road, west of Interstate 25.

Homeowners throughout neighboring subdivisions fiercely opposed the project, citing the ugly scar created by a pit opened in 1993.

They also questioned whether the land would be reclaimed properly.

The commissioners bowed to history, tradition and the necessity of the gravel pits.

"We all use the benefits of mining," said Commissioner Jeri Howells. "Colorado was founded on mining. It has a history and heritage of mining. We all agree it's not
particularly pretty. But we would not be living in homes or driving the streets if it weren't part of our community."

The Dellacroce pit supplies all the gravel used as foundation base for roads, homes and commercial buildings in the county's northern sector.

Mining the land for nearly 50 years, the Dellacroce family had sought to extend its permit beyond 2003. They plan to expand the mined area from about 14 acres to 72
acres.

The family promised not to mine more than eight acres at a time and reclaim the mined areas with grasses and wildflowers.

"My father worked on this ranch during the Depression for $10 a month," Raymond Dellacroce said. Since then, the family acquired the 700-acre parcel and has often
been cited as a good steward by state mining regulators, he said.

Fifteen homeowner groups representing 9,223 voters protested the expansion, citing a lack of urgency and no comprehensive reclamation plan.

Although the Dellacroces have fashioned the plan to shield the pits from view wherever possible, homeowner Ken Webb said they should be made to further reduce
the mine's visual impact.

"We're not talking about something that's hardly noticeable," he said.

The pit's gaping hole is visible for miles amid otherwise green, rolling foothills.

Webb and others also complained the mine will annihilate foothill ridges.

"We're changing rolling, treed hills to flat," said neighbor Helen Lima. "You're completely changing the contour and nature of the land."

Others called on the commission to protect the beauty of the mountains.

"The Front Range is a precious thing," said opponent Steve Waldmann. "Why should we tear it up?"

It was an easy answer for Commissioner Betty Beedy.

"Many, many people have benefited from the gravel out of that pit and many more will in the future," she said, adding she's a firm believer in private property rights.

"The Front Range never remains the same," added Commissioner Ed Jones, who's lived in Colorado Springs for 37 years. "We've got houses up the side of the hill, and
people still come here because there's beauty in this community."

Commission Chairman Chuck Brown, who voted to permit the mine in 1993, opposed its expansion.

"I never imagined in my wildest dreams" the mine would span 24 years, he said.

Commissioner Duncan Bremer, who represents the county's north district, recused himself. Bremer lives adjacent to the Dellacroce ranch and said he's been named in
a lawsuit the Dellacroces filed, seeking to establish property lines in order to settle their mother's estate.

Opponents said they've not considered a legal challenge. But they vowed to diligently monitor the mining operation.

"We'll just live with it," said opponent Jim Swedenburg. "We'll make sure they're meeting the plan for reclamation."

Pam Zubeck covers local government issues and may be reached at 636-0238 or zubeck@gazette.com