HIGH PLAINS COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE TRANSPORTATION POLICY
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TOLL ROAD OPPONENTS DISCLOSE NEW ROUTE MAP
Front Range Toll Road Company, the corporation behind the proposal to take private land for a 212 mile corridor containing a toll road, railroad, and utilities, has unveiled a new map displaying a proposed route for its project. The route lies outside the 2500 square mile corridor described in corporate documents originally filed in 1986. The new map [copy attached] describes a three mile corridor within which the road would be located.
The company’s plans have encountered intense opposition in the seven high plains counties through which the proposed project would be built. Residents have complained that they were unaware of the proposal until it was presented to the legislature last year and have expressed outrage over the fact the Front Range Toll Road Company planned to take private property for its own profit using the power of eminent domain.
Recently approved legislation takes the power of eminent domain away from toll road companies, but Front Range Toll Road Company now plans to ask the Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT) to use the state’s eminent domain power take private land on its behalf. Road opponents are supporting a bill sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer that would require environmental review, planning approval, and public hearings before this could happen.
The new map has been reviewed by members of the High Plains Coalition for Responsible Transportation Policy, the Elbert County citizens’ group opposing the road. "The new route lies several miles to the east of the original Front Range Toll Road Corridor," said Coalition spokesperson Robert Thomasson, "The company has not previously laid claim to this land, and, in fact, its new corridor lies inside one already claimed by a company called JICRO."
Public records reveal that JICRO was incorporated in 1995 under the leadership of William Tolbert. In 1999, the Denver District Court found that another Tolbert firm known as Meneren had defrauded Front Range Toll Road Company and misappropriated confidential traffic studies in connection with JICRO’s formation.
"It’s interesting that Front Range Toll Road Company now says it wants to build in the JICRO corridor," Thomasson noted, "The court’s findings of fraud involving a JICRO principal require disclosure of what kind of deal they made to allow this. They want C-DOT to seize private property for their own financial benefit. Full disclosure is required under such circumstances."
In discussing whether the new corridor would satisfy opponents Thomasson said, "There’s no guarantee Front Range Toll Road Company won’t move the route again, In any event, they’re still trying to take private land to make a profit off a huge project involving a toll road, railroad and utility infrastructure. We need legislation to stop this landgrab."
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Contact:
Robert Thomasson
(303)648-3098
Rick Brown
(303)648-3214