The vote on the Special Use Permit was continued for 60 days to give DMEA and Tri-State time to further mitigate the concerns of the citizens who attended the public hearing. At first the commissioners had thought the corridor route could be changed during this time period. However the land use director, Steve White told them the permit would have to be denied and a new application made if the route was to be changed at all. Gary Ellis, the representative from our district was concerned at the number of people who were adamantly against the approval and made the motion to continue the hearing. The meeting lasted 4 1/2 hours. All in all it was a sterling example of local government working as it should. 

One the developers in the area of 6900 Road and Oak Grove who has spent $2MM so far, made it clear he would pursue damages should the line go through. Rick Brown, the attorney from Denver spoke quite eloquently, even eliciting applause from the assembly. One member of the assembled team of experts made it clear that the utility could exercise their right of eminent domain, and all the applications and processes would be a moot issue. My take is that it will still be approved at the end of the 60 days.

We intend to send written protest to the Board of Directors of DMEA and Tri-State. Unfortunately we are not in a financial position to be able to hire an attorney to represent us. We expect to be offered a nominal sum for the acquisition of the easements. And our dream of the "quiet and peaceful enjoyment of our land as granted by the warranty deed is shattered.