Camping at Sandstone Ranch a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ firefighters, residents warn
By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Douglas County calls it a ‘pilot program.’ Opponents call it a ‘firestarter kit.’ Despite fire safety warnings, financial concerns and widespread public opposition, county officials are moving forward with the pilot project to allow primitive camping at Sandstone Ranch.
Commissioners haven’t budged despite 500-plus public comments, a CORA request revealing near-zero support, community-led petitions and two local government resolutions against the project.
At a recent meeting, Commissioner George Teal suggested the project could still be abandoned, signaling cracks in the county’s insistence on moving forward.
"Perhaps it’s something that we will abandon after taking a look at it," Teal said.
For now, however, the co...