With the titles of thousands of properties now clouded because of a proposed private toll road on the plains, a state lawmaker wants to force developers to win state approval for their projects before they can move ahead.
Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, said Tuesday that she wants to weed out those who truly want to build roads from those that don’t and force them to either make progress or give up any claims to a corridor to build a road. She said the proposed Prairie Falcon Parkway Express is hurting landowners who are in its potential path from near Fort Collins to Pueblo because title companies are now listing the potential project when they search a property’s history.
“I think Ray Wells is a dreamer,” Looper said of the road’s developer. “He dreams about putting this road in and hasn’t, nor will he, take into consideration the thousands of lives he has affected and will be affected by a road that goes nowhere.” Looper, whose bill is set for a hearing Thursday, also said she wonders if Wells really intends to build a road or if he will eventually lease the devalued land to another company to build power lines or a pipeline.
The project notices that were sent out to property owners this summer, that are now being blamed for holding up sales or depressing values, were required by a new list of regulations passed by state lawmakers last year with the support of area residents. Also under that new law, private toll road companies are required to start work on their project within three years or spend $500,000.
Prairie Falcon spokesman Jason Hopfer said opponents of the road seem to be surprised that Wells is moving ahead under the new regulations and trying to find another way to stop it.
“It’s our intent to move this project forward in its current format,” Hopfer said.
He said people shouldn’t be denied financing for property in the corridor and they should contact state regulators if that has happened.
A draft of Looper’s reworked bill would require companies to present a plan to the state Department of Transportation including an explanation of its financial feasibility. If the department rejects the idea, the company would have to remove its claim on the corridor where it plans to build the road and wouldn’t be able to refile a claim for another five years.
If the project is approved, they would have to start work within a year and wouldn’t be allowed to use eminent domain to take over property until they’ve purchased 85 percent of the land they need.
A state law from the 19th century allows private companies to build roads and Wells filed his intent to build the project in 1986 with the secretary of state’s office. Hopfer said the company next plans to do environmental studies as required by the new law and is also putting together a group of investors.
