Artist Christo had some opening remarks to the Board of Commissioners as the 'Over the River' public hearing opened on February 1st (photo courtesy of Tracy Harmon-Pueblo Chieftain)
The Fremont County Commissioners wrapped up nearly nine hours of public comment on the artist Christo’s proposed ‘Over the River’ art project following a two day public hearing. After listening to six hours of public comment at the County Administration Building on February 1st, the Board of Commissioners traveled to Cotopaxi February 2nd for another 3 ½ hours of testimony. In addition to arguments both for and against the art project the Board of Commissioners has received more than 575 letters and e-mails on the subject.
Christo is seeking a Temporary Use Permit from Fremont County for ‘Over the River’ in which he wants to drape 5.9 miles of the Arkansas River between Parkdale and Salida with translucent fabric suspended from cables above the water. Christo has already secured approval from the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado State Parks and Wildlife. He still needs permits from Fremont and Chaffee Counties, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Colorado State Patrol. He hopes to start construction on cable anchors in Big Horn Sheep Canyon this summer with the exhibition of the project targeted for August of 2014.
Supporters of the project have touted the economic benefits the area will see from some 400,000 visitors who will travel to the canyon to view the artwork. Opponents have complained about the negative impacts to traffic, wildlife, public safety, and their daily routines in western Fremont County.
At the conclusion of the Cotopaxi hearing the Board of Commissioners voted to accept additional written comment on ‘Over the River’ until 4:30 p.m. this Thursday, February 9th, at the county Planning and Zoning Department. The Board also voted to table the matter until the February 28th regular board meeting and asked the applicant to have representatives in attendance at that meeting. At the February 28th meeting the Board is expected to review a long list of conditions that would be attached to the proposed project and then either approve or deny the permit or table it again for further consideration.