I am writing to express my considered and normative opinion
regarding the Peak 7 paving issue. I support the eventual paving project but
not in its current iteration that places the burden on the landowners and
provides Summit County with a asset that will be used to later increase the
assessor’s valuation of the adjourning properties. The payment for what should
be the county’s responsibility does not make for common, logical or rational
sense. The main roads in question are those traveled from the top of Summit
County Road 911, proceed along the road bed known as American Way (C.R. 906)
connecting to Ski Hill Road (C.R. 3) and joins to paved portions at/near The
Grand Lodge on Peak 7 at the town limits of Breckenridge. But only part of this
roadway is being considered for paving. This road description is also
designated as a “collector” for traffic purposes. As such, the county should be
utilizing the already collected taxes from the existing property owners to pave
the roads, as defined by state statute and precedent. Look at the line items on
your property assessment, and you will find a heading “Summit.”
This roadway serves as a main corridor for traffic seeking
to avoid the congestion of the town and access the Peak 7 and Peak 8 ski
facilities. At the very least, the county should be diligent in the fulfillment
of its obligations.
County officials have pleaded no funds for such purposes,
but they seem to have found funding for a myriad of discretionary programs that
would be in the social engineering categories, not to mention the provision of
a “free” Summit Stage from the county coffers. But no service to the taxpayers
of the Peak 7 area. Perhaps, “we the people” need to pay closer attention to
those who seem to be breaching their fiduciary trust with regard to the
people’s money? Simply put, property owner taxpayers should be served first by
government with their own money.