A colossal Buc-ee's broke a small Colorado town

[Zorro]

In the fight to preserve Palmer Lake something has already been lost: civility.

The organizers of the pumpkin patch outside the town hall canceled this year’s event so that “evil doesn’t win.” A local lawyer stopped watching Sunday football at the sports bar because he got tired of people yelling at him. A gregarious chef turns his head when he drives past neighbors who have shunned him.

Over the past year, the social fabric of this town of 2,500 has been torn apart by a gas station — an enormous gas station.

Buc-ee’s, the Texas chain known for its jaunty beaver mascot and sparkling bathrooms, wants to erect a 74,000-square-foot travel plaza — far larger than a football field — along the nearby interstate. The proposal is expected to go to a public vote this winter. But already, it has led to cursing at packed town meetings, mudslinging on social media and texts, accusations of vandalism, litigation, the downfall of a mayor, the ouster of two town trustees and the resignation of a third.

Combatants on both sides see themselves as saviors of a town they cherish for its quiet streets, forested foothills and dark skies. Those in favor of the project insist the financial security of new tax revenue will preserve Palmer Lake. Those opposed say there is nothing preservationist about a colossal commercial venture that would threaten wildlife and groundwater. But many residents fear the bitter fight has already inflicted lasting scars — whether or not the Buc-ee’s is ever built.

https://wapo.st/4qrNlq5

I like Buc-ee's. The ones I've been to have lots of EV charging stations, are well-lit with exceptionally clean bathrooms, have plenty of food and drink choices, and the salaries they advertise on the way into the stores are surprisingly good.

[Beartracks]

1. A Buc-ee's will certainly banish the dark starry skies. :(

[irisblue]

2. With a travel plaza thst big there will be no more dark skies

[Shellback Squid]

3. and they are neutral politically, lean repub through employees

[stopdiggin]

4. the phrase that caught my eye here, "along the nearby interstate"

I25 is not exactly a pristine environment (other towns, business, development?) in that immediate area?
(just looking at a map - not native, not intimate or familiar ..)

[uncle ray]

8. that is probably one of the most scenic stretches of I25 in Colorado.

another wildlife bridge like the one being built a few miles up the road would be more appropriate here. and there is already a new Buc-ee's north of Denver, 100 miles away.

[stopdiggin]

9. like I said - I'm looking at a map

But I'm seeing - -
In between C.Springs and Denver (both with attendant 'sprawl' - and no great stretch of distance between)
With additionally fair sized towns (specifically Monument and Woodmoor? both of which I bet are considered bedroom communities?), both sides of the road, in immediate area - along with a good sized interchange. (with the expected business inherent?) And all within spitting distance, and closer to I-25 than Palmer Lake.

Pretty much all of Colorado is beautiful and scenic ... But the interstate is generally not one of the places pointed to as representing 'pristine and natural state' ...

nonetheless - respecting your position. (and quite likely greater knowledge)

Editing: Someone provided a map of exact proposed location. It's up the road a couple of mile from the larger interchange (and communities). Which - kind of makes sense in terms of a truck stop. Still - might change my perspective a little bit as far as 'beauty' and 'unspoiled'. A person could change their mind ...

[cos dem]

5. I live near where they want to put this monstrosity.

I would drive by it every day on my way to work. Even though it's by the interstate, it is a section that in quite a natural state, at the top of a hill with significant pine forests. All that would be gone.

I'm not necessarily opposed to putting up a Buc-ee's somewhere else (even though I think they're hideously ugly). Even in Colorado, there are ugly parts of the interstate where, fine, put up an ugly gas station. But don't mess with the natural beauty.

Here's a link for the "Stop Buc-ee's" campaign:
https://www.stopbuceespalmerlake.com/

A Google maps link so you can see at "street view" the parcel where they want to build this thing.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1298182,-104.8646494,3a,75y,214.82h,82.96t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1slziEBJI_6x4AihWzuv8KAQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D7.043483369879837%26panoid%3DlziEBJI_6x4AihWzuv8KAQ%26yaw%3D214.81691889838316!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

And, a link to a song, for no particular reason:

&list=RD2595abcvh2M&start_radio=1

[BannonsLiver]

6. Buc-ees is a dystopian hellscape rammed with hordes of people 24/7

[mwmisses4289]

7. While they serve a purpose for travellers,

they are not a good place to work for.
And the person who founded it...well, typical republican is probably the nicest thing that can be said of him.