Tribe eyes Lake Nighthorse water for future industrial use
The Southern Ute Growth Fund purchased these two parcels, totaling 96 acres, along La Posta Road (County Road 213) for $6.3 million.
The Southern Ute Growth Fund purchased 96 acres along La Posta Road, south of Durango’s Home Depot, for $6.3 million, according to the La Plata County Assessor’s Office.
Dale Kneller, manager of La Posta Land LLC, sold the two parcels to a subsidiary of the Growth Fund on June 26, which transferred the property to the Growth Fund the same day, according to special warranty deeds filed with the county clerk and recorder.
It is unclear what specific use or development the Growth Fund has planned. Meade Harbison, a Growth Fund business development specialist, did not immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment.
County Assessor Carrie Woodson said the land has historically been used for agriculture, specifically cattle grazing.
Earlier this year, The Southern Ute Drum reported the tribe plans to use its Lake Nighthorse water allocation for “future industrial uses,” including energy development.
The city of Durango, La Plata County and SUIT have long eyed land along La Posta Road (County Road 213) as a promising site for industrial development and potentially mixed-use commercial and residential development.
A Durango context map shows the La Posta Road area eyed for development by the city south of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s northern reservation boundary (marked by a horizontal light blue dotted line). (Durango Herald file)
The parcels purchased by the Growth Fund last month sit within a “potential urban area” identified by the city of Durango in a 1997 comprehensive plan.
Last year, the tribe successfully pressed the Colorado Legislature for tribal authority over land annexations within the reservation’s checkerboard boundaries. It accused the city of attempting to annex private property within tribal boundaries without consent or consulting with the tribe, which the city denied.
During the controversy, which appears to have since settled down, Kneller testified to the Colorado Legislature against the bill and spoke favorably of the city at a Durango City Council meeting in relation to the feud with the tribe.
La Plata County spokesman Ted Holteen said county planners learned of the purchase on Wednesday, and no permits had been applied for as of that morning.
“I imagine we’ll be waiting and seeing what they do with the land, and we’ll know more when/if they apply for permits,” he said.
City spokesman Tom Sluis said the city knew the tribe was looking to tap into water at Lake Nighthorse – about 2 miles west of the properties – but he didn’t know anything about the land purchases.
cburney@durangoherald.com
