Lakewood – It seems the view around an outhouse at Mount Carbon hasn’t improved much to Steve Holben.
Ever since the city installed the outhouse in 2002, Holben has been squabbling with officials. He says it blocks the 360-degree, picturesque views and violates city code.
City officials reviewed his complaint and determined all procedures and ordinances were followed. The case was closed.
But Holben, it seems, won’t go away.
“I’m not an environmental nut,” Holben said. “I’m a builder, and if this was the only place where they could have these, I wouldn’t be fussing so much.”
Holben used to picnic with his wife several evenings a week in the area, but not anymore. His list of complaints about the outhouse is long: It violates city ordinances that protect view sheds; it was poorly constructed; and it smells.
With local elections today, Holben has his sights on a new slate of council members who may consider his plea. He wants the city to move the outhouse below the ridgeline and out of sight.
Current council members say further consideration of the matter would be a waste of time.
“Any City Council person would want to understand the issues,” said Carol Kesselman, who is termed out. “But to devote any more staff time in addition to what we’ve already devoted would be a travesty, in view of limited resources.”
Holben remains persistent. He has called and e-mailed city and state officials and asked congressional representatives for help. He also contacted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the land.
All reviews found the city did nothing wrong.
“When this first came up, we exchanged e-mails, talked and reviewed it with the staff,” Kesselman said. “There was nothing we could see that was out of place.”
Mike Rock, city manager, says Holben is the only person who has expressed dissatisfaction with the facility. “We are not going to move it,” Rock said. “I suppose if you stand next to any facility, it would block the views, even a tree.”
Despite the city’s stance, Holben presses on.
So far, he says he has spent nearly $80,000 in time and money for legal fees and research.
“I don’t want to let it go,” said Holben, who keeps a list of supporters handy. “Sometimes I feel like the Lone Ranger, but I have a lot of people behind me.”
Staff writer Elizabeth Aguilera can be reached at 303-820-1372 or at eaguilera@denverpost.com.
