| 1/19/2006 8:51:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude speak with Cotopaxi resident Dan Ainsworth Wednesday night. The artists will be in Salida from 6-8 p.m. today at the Salida Senior Citizens Center. Photo by Christopher Kolomitz
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Christo sparks debate in Cotopaxi
by Christopher Kolomitz
Mail Managing Editor
COTOPAXI – Full parking lot, crowded room and intense debate reflected the many opinions about the “Over the River” project Wednesday night.
An estimated 250 people filled the Cotopaxi High School cafeteria to view maps and submit comments regarding the project.
The forum was hosted by Bureau of Land Management officials as part of the environmental assessment of the project.
Artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude attended the forum and listened to resident concerns and questions. An armed Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy stood beside the artists most of the night as residents waited in line to share their thoughts.
Participants were asked to provide written comments about the project. Comments are due to the BLM by Feb. 10.
A third and final forum will be held today in Salida from 6-8 p.m. at the Salida Senior Citizens Center. About 300 people attended a similar forum Tuesday in Cañon City.
Slated for summer 2009, the project consists of eight fabric panel sections hanging above the Arkansas River.
“It’s the most unique proposal we have ever had,” Ken Smith, BLM spokesman said Wednesday.
People viewed maps detailing the location of suspended fabric panels. Engineering data and photographs of the fabric, suspension cables and equipment were available.
Data detailing traffic patterns, counts and accidents was presented. Maps were available showing locations of wildlife habitat.
Most participants were against the project, citing emergency access problems, increased traffic and impact to wildlife.
The majority of the forum attendees were from the Western Fremont County area, including LeAnn Larson of Howard.
“I have friends who are too mad to come,” Larson said.
Several Salida residents attended the meeting to support the project.
Perhaps the longest commute for a project proponent was that of Evergreen resident Gary Justus, who drove 147 miles to attend the forum.
“To deny the opportunity of many more people than who are in this room tonight to see something like this project is awfully selfish,” Justus said.
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