Posted on 06/18/2009 8:30:05 AM PDT by george76
There is only one major problem with Manitou Springs' plan to start charging $5 per car in the Barr Trail parking lot: Manitou doesn't own the lot, Colorado Springs Utilities does.
And now Utilities wants some of the cash - or maybe all of it.
The 32-car lot is packed nearly year-round with hikers going up Pikes Peak or Manitou Incline. The parking fees could easily top $100,000 a year.
"Utilities wants a say in how money is allocated," Utilities spokesman Steve Berry said Wednesday. "We have an obligation to make sure we are representing the interests of our ratepayers."
The misunderstanding dates to 1981, when Manitou Springs leased the lot for $1 for 20 years, according to Manitou City Planner Michelle Anthony.
The lease included an agreement that Manitou could renew it for another 20 years simply by sending a letter to Utilities.
"We are still looking for that letter," Anthony said. "But it appears that the agreement lapsed and nobody realized it for years on either end."
At least, no one realized it until there was more than $100,000 in the balance.
"When they started talking about charging a fee, that's when Utilities got involved,"
(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.com ...
Pay to park in a dirt lot. This money grabbing has got to stop.
Manitou is the “little Boulder” of the Colorado Springs area - full of idealistic yippies who want badly to spend other people’s money. Greedy little liberals.
Great restaurant there-The Loop. I DARE you to drink a Grande Margarita!
You're all worked up for no good reason. Barr Trail and the Manitou Incline are extremely popular trails, and the trailhead is in an area with very limited space for parking. Given the particulars of this situation, it seems quite reasonable to charge for parking -- though $5 seems a bit much.
FWIW, one idea is to use part of those fees to help pay for a shuttle service between "better" parking areas and the trailhead.
Thanks!
So.... if you're familiar with Manitou, might I be correct in suspecting that you're associated with those lunatic Arkansans who come up for the Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon every year?
No, although I did ascend PP in my car when I was there a year ago.
Best vacation I ever had, too. Loved that whole area!
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