A proposed 25-acre development called Kiowa Outdoor Adventures got both support and opposition at an Aug. 23 community meeting at the Kiowa Fire Protection District.
The meeting was led by the local Ullom family, those proposing the multi-use facility. The development is intended for 9889 County Road 134, at the western corner of the intersection of Highway 86 and County Road 134. Their goal for the meeting was to gain community input and field any questions that locals had about the development.
According to a flyer handed out at the meeting, Kiowa Outdoor Adventures would consist of “RV storage of approximately 50-60 spaces on the western side of the parcel along with a 25-30 space campground along the south side. There will be 3 to 4 tiny homes for nightly rental.”
The flyer added that the facility would offer “hookups at various spaces, a playground, 2 gas fire pits for roasting marshmallows, a grass area for outdoor movies, a playground, and a putt-putt golf course. The building at the northeast corner will be a bath house for a swimming pool to be built as funds allow. The office area may be used for arcade games, foosball, and miscellaneous.”
At the meeting, 30 people were crammed into the community room of the Kiowa Fire building to share their thoughts with the developers. Of attendees who spoke, support and opposition toward the proposal was roughly evenly split.
Throughout the course of the meeting, several in attendance voiced concerns about the development. They included increased traffic, lack of planned acceleration and deceleration lanes, winter road conditions being dangerous for out-of-town travelers, the planned chain-link fence surrounding the property that some called unattractive, sound pollution, and a possible increase in crime.
A group of women at one end of the table were particularly vocal about their concerns regarding crime in the area. “We wanted to move here because we wanted the safety, security, and community,” said one unnamed woman. “We don’t lock our barns now. Are we going to have to start?”
In contrast, there were plenty of locals who were excited about the potential development. One woman said, “I am a local store owner and I think this would be great for the area. I am very excited about this.” One parent mentioned, “As a parent of four kids, I’d love to have a pool out here.”
When asked what she hoped the project would bring to the community, Kiowa Outdoor Adventures project manager Debbie Ullom was enthusiastic.
“We hope to see an increase in business for our local merchants and to see people that pass straight through our county on their travels actually slow down and invest money in it and its proud merchants,” said Ollum. “We also want to see a more positive atmosphere and outlet for our children who are struggling to find anything to do other than chores and trouble as well as a safe and enjoyable place that families can stay to visit that’s not 30-45 minutes away.”
The developers are still compiling information for a formal application with the county. Residents within a quarter-mile radius of the proposed development will receive letters in the mail notifying them of the potential future community hearing.
Locals were encouraged to contact the following county land use planners with questions or concerns about the development:
►Jenn Klich, jennifer.klich@elbertcounty-co.gov, 720-595-3612.
► Matthew Karney, matthew.karney@elbertcounty-co.gov, 303-621-3185.