- Montezuma County has posted its long-awaited draft proposal of regulations designed to protect the Phil’s World Bike Trail east of Cortez.
Montezuma County has posted its long-awaited draft proposal of regulations designed to protect the Phil’s World Bike Trail east of Cortez. The so-called 1041 regulations, had been discussed by the county commissioners and the county Planning and Zoning Commission for some time. They are intended to thwart potential oil and gas drilling near the popular recreational site, located mostly on federal land, and also to show that a Bureau of Land Management master leasing plan is not needed to protect the site. Colorado’s 1041 regulations allow counties to designate certain areas or activities deemed to be “of state interest.” Counties then can regulate proposed new activities in such areas. However, while P&Z had considered a 57-page document that would become a new chapter in the land-use code, the commissioners said the measure could be done as a resolution that would be much shorter. The two-page document on the county’s web site says the “present value of the existing activities” on Phil’s World, as well as a proposed doubling of the trail length, has more value than the value of any minerals present. A public hearing has been set for Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room, but last Monday, attorney John Baxter said the board may choose not to adopt the rules at that time. He said there may be only a “discussion” instead.
