County Road 5 Concerns

[Lindsey Whittall]

Good morning Mr. Commissioner,

My name is Lindsey Miller and I am the owner of The Hidden Stem at 4007 Main Street in Downtown Timnath. I also live in Downtown Timnath.

The Hidden Stem is a plant and gift shop, among other things. I myself have lived in Larimer and Weld county for 26 years with a 10 year trip to Routt. That is my whole life.  

I have recently been told that County Road 5 will be closed prior to Harmony road in Timnath, effectively closing downtown. For years we have been directly asking, and tonight we were told this decision happened 20 years ago. This  closure will ensure all traffic will bypass downtown via The Timnath Parkway. This will cut off all traffic through our historical downtown that is already struggling to gain commercial attraction.

My research has lead me to understand that the city must get permission from The Board of County Commissioners to proceed with closing a County Road that is a through road, in addition to crossing county lines? It also appears that the effect of extinguishing the road must favor the general public.

We want to see restaurants, coffee shops,  an ice cream parlor, boutiques. We’re open to new and creative ideas. Closing County Road 5 will ensure that does not happen any time soon. No small business is going to come to an area of uncertainty. Personally as a third year business, this road closure is terrifying.

Would you please share insight as to how this road closure will be allowed to continue? Why has the public not been notified, or allowed to have a say in the development of our community? 

I appreciate your time, and look forward to your insight into this matter.

Best,

Lindsey Miller

Owner

The Hidden Stem

970-302-0934

[Lindsey Whittall]

Good evening John,

Thank you for your response. I was told by the mayor, "it was decided 20 years ago." However it does not make sense to me, or many others. Not only does it close traffic to businesses, but as you mentioned, a historical community hub. I understand the reason and need for the Timnath Parkway. However, I do not think that there isn't a good argument as to why there cannot be both!  I appreciate any information you can provide, as many of us are baffled by this decision!

Regards,

Lindsey Miller

Owner

The Hidden Stem

970-302-0934

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 5:13 PM John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Hello Lindsey,

Thank you for bringing your valid concern to my attention, and I am very sorry it has taken me 6 days to respond. I am not aware of any request to the County Commissioners from the Town of Timnath to close off CR 5 as it goes through downtown Timnath. It is illogical to me that Timnath would do this because of the impact this would have on your business and others in the historic part of the town. I will follow up with our county leadership and get to the bottom of this because it does not make sense. Please let me know if you any new information since it has taken me close to a week to get back to you.

	John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org