Elk Creek Campground near New Castle in Colorado has been transferred to a previous owner and is currently in receivership following weeks of no action to deal with permit violations, a report said.
After being informed of the latest developments, Garfield County commissioners on Monday postponed code enforcement action and a potential lawsuit, hoping that at least a portion of the violations could be dealt with in the coming two weeks.
What happens to the long-term campground tenants illegally staying there this winter is to be determined.
A few of the residents last week asked commissioners for a reprieve after former owner Beau Haines asked them to vacate the property.
The 67-space campground is available for seasonal RV camping, tent camping, and also access to cabins from May 1 to November 1.
The previous efforts of a former proprietor in 2010 to allow the campground for expanded use relied on the installation of a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)-approved wastewater treatment system.
The conditions were not fulfilled at the time, as the county and CDPHE have raised concerns over the possibility of wastewater getting into New Castle’s Elk Creek water source.
Moreover, county code enforcement recently received complaints from residents about illegal camping during winter.
In a formal Notice of Violation issued to Haines and Compass Mountain Resorts LLC on December 21, 2021, the county asked for all RVs to be removed and the cabins to be vacated.
There was no further communication between the county and Haines prior to or following the issuance of the Notice of Violation.
Residents who appeared before commissioners last week claimed that they were misled and believed they could stay during winter. They also stated that it was difficult to move on short notice and also due to the availability of campsites this time of year.
Sean de Moraes, an area realtor, appeared before commissioners on Monday to inform them that he was named as the receiver in the foreclosure and is in charge of preserving the assets and handling permit violations.
Commissioners have agreed to delay any code enforcement but would like to see progress made in fixing the problems by March 14, when de Moraes will appear before the board.
For now, de Moraes was advised to meet with representatives of the county community development and legal personnel to discuss the steps needed to resolve the issue.
This story originally appeared on Post Independent.