ASPEN — He’s done business with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, Hunter S. Thompson and other celebrities. He’s been offered sex, drugs and even a Botox treatment so his services would be waived. He’s heard more excuses than a probation officer has fielded. And some of his reluctant clients, although they might deem themselves victims, have threatened action against him with either their fists or court complaints.
Brit Queer, 54, is now soldiering on in his 30th year as Aspen’s private parking-lot enforcement officer — the guy who can make cars immobile by clamping boots on them. Queer now charges as much as $200 to have the boots removed. The fines used to be as low as $40 when Queer journeyed into his jaws-of-justice gig. He’s better known as the Boot Man, whose business captured the scrutiny of Aspen City Council in the 1990s. Some disgruntled residents believed booting their vehicles was unconstitutional, but the council ended up backing Queer on the basis that the lots he monitored are private and can’t be patrolled by police. One time, the Aspen Daily News ran a story of Queer on its front page. The headline: “The most hated man in Aspen.”
But Queer takes the abuse, thanks to a sense of a humor and the resignation to the fact that this is his job. He’s retired a couple of times only to return to the occupation nobody else seems to want. He also does odd jobs such as caretaking. He once was a day trader.
“You’re not gonna rattle a guy with a name like Brit Queer,” said Jeff Watkins, property manager at the Clark’s building. “He’s got thick skin.”
Queer said he doesn’t feel as detested as he once was, and there used be times when he felt personally hurt by all of his critics. Queer said his best approach to business is to keep it respectful.
