A citizens group says it will go to court to stop Commerce City from the “unilateral” annexation of 1,260 acres of incorporated Adams County.
Leaders of the Commerce City Tea Party said they will file a lawsuit later this month to block the annexation, claiming it was imposed without a vote and represents taxation without representation.
“We’re still here, and we’re not going away,” said the group’s chair, Les Burch, a Brighton business owner.
The City Council last month gave its final approval to bring the land into the city. It rests in two parcels — between 88th and 92nd avenues and between the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and Rocky Mountain Arsenal — and includes 90 businesses and 300 residences.
The Tea Party said the annexation will cost local businesses and residents about $3.2 million in new taxes.
Many of the affected businesses already have been told the city intends to down-zone their properties — forcing them from heavy industrial use to light industrial.
“The impact on those businesses could be devastating,” said Tea Party spokeswoman Sarah Shaffer.
Commerce City officials said the annexation will result in more revenue for the city as well as expansion of police and other services to the area.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
