The Fremont County Commissioners Tuesday gave the Sheriff authority to impose a fire ban and approved a permit that will allow the former Broken Spoke arena at Penrose to reopen.
Sheriff Jim Beicker sought the Commissioners approval of a resolution to authorize him to impose fire bans this spring and summer due to the extreme fire danger conditions that have emerged in recent weeks. Beicker took a break from helping manage the Sheriff's wildland fire team response to the Ferguson Fire which broke out in the Copper Gulch area southwest of Canon City Monday afternoon. Beicker said conditions are such that even with a break from welcome rain showers, a day or two of sunny and windy weather would again leave conditions ripe for wildfire. With the Commissioners' approval the Sheriff announced he would impose Stage One fire restrictions which basically prevent all open burning and agricultural burning in unincorporated areas of Fremont County.
The Commissioners unanimously approved a special review use permit for the Crossroads Event Center which will open soon in the former Broken Spoke arena on the southeast corner of Highways 50 and 115 at Penrose. James Pickart told the Commissioners that he and his partners intend to operate a large animal veterinary clinic at the arena as the basis for their operation. He said the arena will cater to the owners of horses involved in competitive roping and rodeo type events. Pickart said scheduling arena events and operating a restaurant will help to round out the operation of the new business. Pickart said eventually a residence will be built on the site.
In other business the Commissioners:
Sheriff Jim Beicker sought the Commissioners approval of a resolution to authorize him to impose fire bans this spring and summer due to the extreme fire danger conditions that have emerged in recent weeks. Beicker took a break from helping manage the Sheriff's wildland fire team response to the Ferguson Fire which broke out in the Copper Gulch area southwest of Canon City Monday afternoon. Beicker said conditions are such that even with a break from welcome rain showers, a day or two of sunny and windy weather would again leave conditions ripe for wildfire. With the Commissioners' approval the Sheriff announced he would impose Stage One fire restrictions which basically prevent all open burning and agricultural burning in unincorporated areas of Fremont County.
The Commissioners unanimously approved a special review use permit for the Crossroads Event Center which will open soon in the former Broken Spoke arena on the southeast corner of Highways 50 and 115 at Penrose. James Pickart told the Commissioners that he and his partners intend to operate a large animal veterinary clinic at the arena as the basis for their operation. He said the arena will cater to the owners of horses involved in competitive roping and rodeo type events. Pickart said scheduling arena events and operating a restaurant will help to round out the operation of the new business. Pickart said eventually a residence will be built on the site.
In other business the Commissioners:
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Approved a temporary use permit for the Penrose ATV Club to operate a Royal Gorge ATV Jamboree on June 7th at 0012 3rd Street in Penrose. Ron Faulkner said the event has been scaled back considerably to now feature only an outdoor concert that Saturday evening. He said they hope to do better planning next year to include an ATV rodeo and trail rides;
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approved a proclamation designating May as Foster Care Month in Fremont County;
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approved a zone change from Business to Ag Estates zoning for Tony Wish along Highway 50 at Coaldale. Wish has already torn down an old barber shop and is preparing a new home site on the riverfront property;
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approved four abatements referred from the County Assessor's office;
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and approved Fremont County's sponsorship of issuing a revenue bond through Wells Fargo to finance acquisition of new offices for Sangre DeCristo Hospice in Canon City. The bond issuance carries no fiscal liability to the county.