CREEDE, Colo. (AP) -- A proposed golf resort and community near a rustic ski area in southwestern Colorado is drawing considerable controversy.
The resort, being developed by Bob Honts and former Minnesota Vikings owner B.J. "Red" McCombs, will include a village with hotels, homes and shops, along with a championship golf course in a nearby county, but did not reveal any details when the plans were discussed Friday at a forum on the Village at Wolf Creek at the Wolf Creek ski resort in Mineral County.
The proposed base village has been controversial, and security was tight at the packed forum, with sheriff's deputies called in from as far away as Pueblo County, 100 miles east.
Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez, an opponent of the development, boycotted the panel at the forum because Colorado Wild, an environmental group that also opposes the project, was not allowed to have a representative on the panel.
Colorado Wild was excluded because it has no official role in the project, said Jon Boyd, president of the Upper Rio Grande Economic Development Council, which sponsored the forum and established the rules.
Opponents said the village, which could eventually include 222,100 square feet of commercial space and housing for up to 10,500 people, would be too much of a burden on the environment and public services. Proponents say it would bring much-needed economic growth.
On Monday, the project cleared a major hurdle when the U.S. Forest Service approved construction of two roads across national forest to reach the site. A 750-foot road would offer primary access between U.S. Highway 160 and the village. A 250-foot extension of an existing road would link the village and Wolf Creek Ski Area parking lots.
Adjacent utility corridors also were approved.
The project needs other regulatory approvals before construction begins.
"We could start construction this summer, but in all likelihood these approvals will require a good bit more time. We'll go as fast as we can," Honts said.
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