Is there a zoning ordinance to protect the federally owned Mount Carbon Vista in Lakewood, Colorado? savemountcarbon.com requests help from federal entities

Despite the public appeals of Steve and Maggie Holben, construction of a golf course toilet structure has been completed at the top of Mount Carbon in Lakewood, Colorado, interrupting the stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding area. Because of the City of Lakewood's continued commitment to toilets located at the top of Mount Carbon, rather than at a different less obtrusive site on the new golf course property, inquiries have now been made on the federal level.

(Lakewood, CO) - In light of the fact that Mount Carbon is on federal land under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the savemountcarbon.com initiative has made requests to the following individuals for assistance in relocating the golf course toilet structure: Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Senator Wayne Allard, Representative Thomas Tancredo, Secretary of Interior Gale A. Norton, and two Colorado contacts with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The text of the letter (which was sent via certified mail, e-mail and fax on June 16, 2002) reads:

"Specifically, this issue involves Mount Carbon in Bear Creek Lake Park and the golf course toilet structure that has been installed on the summit. To date, I believe the Army Corps has approved the toilets, but not the specific location (which may indeed be outside the confines of the golf course boundaries). The specific location the Lakewood staff selected atop Mt. Carbon is my concern and the reason for this letter.

"My husband and I live in Pheasant Creek and together with his biking and running, plus

our walks and picnicking, we see Mt. Carbon a lot. It's like our backyard, so to speak, and we

think the outhouse (at the current location) is unsightly, interrupts the 360-degree view and could very easily be placed somewhere else on the soon-to-open golf course development (while still accessible to walkers and hikers on the Bear Creek bike path that serpentines through the golf course on its way to the top).

"My husband (who thought someone had made a simple mistake) passionately launched out on this effort and quickly offended both Lakewood Councilman Mike Stevens and Community Resources Manager Kathy Hodgson. They labeled his words as "inappropriate threats" and had him officially reprimanded by the Lakewood police. There has been extensive coverage in the Lakewood and Bear Creek Sentinels, plus news stories (all balanced coverage) on channels 2, 9 and 31. Our initiative to relocate the toilet structures is called savemountcarbon.com and there is, of course, a website of the same name available to give you

complete background on the situation.

"We're beginning to see a return of the 'I want to help forms,' as well as a regular and

respectable number of visits to the website. At this juncture, we're not sure this is even a city

matter, since it's technically federal property in question. And, we don't know if this is

petition/referendum material or simply an oversight that can be easily rectified without a lot of time and energy being wasted on both the public and city's part.

"I'm the spokesperson for the initiative (although Steve certainly can be called anytime

and do interviews at his discretion), and I am working at patching up relations with Councilman

Stevens. I respect our elected officials and public employees and I respect our democratic

process, plus believe everyone has a right to their opinion and civil discussion thereof.

"I'm writing you, because I believe although the toilet structure has been approved by the

Army Corps, I still believe the Corps could help influence placement to a more appropriate

location than at the top of Mount Carbon. The City of Lakewood, through a comment from the

City Manager at the June 10th Council meeting, has concluded the matter and say the structure has been sited appropriately (although breaking the sightline of a 360-degree view) and say the toilet structure will remain as is.

"I know this sounds like the homeowner complaining to the Homeowners Association about the old Winnebago up on blocks in the neighbor's yard, but I really do think a serious mistake has been made here on federal property. Mt. Carbon is a beautiful, open space vista. Given the size of the new golf course, there has to be numerous other locations for the toilets," wrote Maggie Holben, spokesperson for savemountcarbon.com.

So far, the initiative has gotten no help from the City of Lakewood. At the Monday, June 10, Lakewood City Council session, Lakewood residents, Maggie and Steve Holben, both spoke

during the public comment portion of the meeting regarding their views on the golf course toilets placed atop Mount Carbon. In addition, several other citizens made public comment about the toilets, plus City Manager Michael Rock gave the City of Lakewood's perspective.

Mr. Rock restated the city's position that the toilets were in the best possible location for

golfers, cyclists, joggers and hikers. He said the toilets will remain as placed, and the golf course will open at the end of the month.

Maggie Holben had asked the Lakewood City Council in her public comment that "they act as a good custodian of the Mount Carbon vista and move the toilet structures downhill onto the golf course property where they belong, plus take action to help city employees avoid a similar situation in the future."

"My husband, Steve, and I have enjoyed picnics atop Mt. Carbon for a number of years, delighting in the wonderful 360-degree view of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. We've been shocked that toilet buildings are located directly on top of the mountain.

"As Steve has reiterated many times, the 360-degree view is simply wonderful, and we

believe everyone's needs could be met through cooperation and compromise," Maggie says.

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