Greg Gerber posted on November 25, 2008 09:24
MESA COUNTY, Colo. -- For two years a Mesa County Code Enforcement Department case against an RV park north of Interstate 70 and three miles south of De Beque has gathered dust.
Early in 2007, the Mesa County Health Department cited the owner of the Canyon Lake Campground, Laurent Jaqualine, for improperly disposing of sewage, said Donna Ross, the county’s director of code enforcement. County Code Enforcement also cited the park, located next to an old gravel pit, for: improper disposal of sewage and gray water; inappropriate hookups for RVs to water, power and propane tanks; and for RVs staying at the campground in excess of the 30-day limit.
When the park was permitted by the county in the late 1990s, it was mandated that tenants stay for less than 30 days because there is insufficient infrastructure to support long-term habitation. Today, the park is home to more than 30 long-term residents, mostly energy-industry workers, and is a daily stop for a De Beque school bus.
Many of the RVs parked there have satellite dishes, large sewage and propane tanks attached to the campers and even attached mini carports. Surrounding the homes are an array of items found in typical suburbs: children’s bicycles and toys, recreational all-terrain vehicles, boats, horse trailers and dogs chained up outside.
Last week, however, the park may have been put out of business. The Mesa County Commission approved a conditional-use permit for the De Beque Gravel Pit LLC to begin excavating gravel from the 144-acre location in two phases over a period of 10 years. One of the conditions of approval requires the gravel company to close the RV park by the end of summer.
SOURCE: Grand Junction Sentinel