UPDATE: Boulder County officials will hold an urgent public hearing today at 1 p.m. to decide the fate of Riverside Cabins, a resort lodge seeking to resolve zoning violations. The hearing will take place at the Boulder County Courthouse, located at 1325 Pearl St., and is accessible both virtually and in person.
The owner, Rockmont Investments LLC, is pushing for a special use designation that would allow the rental of up to 34 overnight guests. However, the Boulder County Planning Commission previously recommended limiting this number to 28 guests unless the septic system is upgraded. This decision follows ongoing concerns from neighbors about the impact of the rental operations on the local community.
The cabins, which are situated on five acres near Lyons, have been under scrutiny since reports surfaced of unpermitted rentals. Local residents expressed alarm over the ongoing operations despite repeated warnings from the county. In August, Code Compliance Planning Manager Jesse Rounds confirmed that the cabins were in violation of the county’s land use code, with potential fines of $1,000 plus $100 per day for continued violations.
Many residents worry that the proposed increase in rental capacity is incompatible with the neighborhood, straining resources and leading to increased noise and traffic. Neighbor Cat Oehlman emphasized the need for oversight, recalling troubling incidents with guests trespassing on her property. “We want consideration and honesty. We want oversight,” she stated.
The public hearing, initially scheduled for November, was rescheduled after the county issued incorrect notices to neighbors. The Boulder County staff has recommended approving the resort lodge designation but with conditions that include historic landmark status, which the property owner has disputed. The cabins have a storied history, dating back to the late 1800s as Welch Resort and operating since the 1950s as Shelly’s Cottages.
Concerns over environmental impacts have also been raised, particularly regarding the proximity of the cabins to the floodplain. Residents fear that any increase in water usage for the cabins could jeopardize local wells and exacerbate flooding risks. Oehlman noted, “If there’s another flood, it could affect my property. That’s terrifying.”
As the hearing approaches, community members are expressing skepticism about the owner’s commitment to adhere to recommended conditions. “When you have all this chaos, it’s not conducive to our neighborhood,” Oehlman added, reflecting the apprehension shared by many locals.
With Boulder County poised to make a decision today, the community remains on high alert. Neighbors will be watching closely to see if their concerns are acknowledged and addressed in the final ruling.
Stay tuned for live updates as the situation develops following the hearing.
