Barker: County caucuses, community values, and Beyul

Pitkin County’s “About Caucuses” webpage says, “Pitkin County has long recognized the value of representative democracy, especially in rural county settings where geographic areas within the county may differ in priorities and values.” A primary function of caucuses includes making recommendations on land use approvals.

Beyul, located within the Upper Frying Pan Valley (UFPV) Caucus area, has applied for a land use exemption to erect a structure that could be used for, among other things, music concerts with DJs. Beyul planned — since at least early 2024 — to submit an application to the Pitkin County Commission but chose not to proactively alert the Caucus, which only meets during the summer. When Beyul submitted their application in the fall, Caucus members had no choice but to submit individual letters to the Caucus board, which then had the untenable task of providing input to the BOCC without the benefit of Caucus deliberation. Thus, the submission from the UFPV Caucus Board to the BOCC does not represent extensive local input; it is synthesis of comments from some Caucus members, not a recommendation.

The UFPV Master Plan says “…the majority of the residents wish it to retain its rural and recreational character…” It also says expansion of resort lodging “is generally not favored by local residents and thus should require extensive local input.”

If the BOCC feels compelled to make a determination on Beyul’s application at its March 12 meeting without providing the Caucus an opportunity to deliberate, it will undermine the integrity of the Caucus structure it established. If such a determination is made, it should be a wake-up call to other caucuses about the lack of value the county puts in rural democratic governance.

Protect the integrity of our democracy. Protect the character of the UFPV. BOCC, please delay your decision or, if not, deny.

Todd Barker

Meredith