County adopts tourist sign program

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Businesses whose customers reach them via county roads will be able to buy directional signs to prevent newcomers from getting lost.

Larimer County Commissioners in April adopted a program for tourist-oriented directional signs, similar to the program used by the Colorado Department of Transportation for state highways. The commissioners also said CDOT could post its signs on state highways within the county's boundaries.

The program is the county's response to zoning code violations that occurred when businesses put their own signs of any size along county roads. County codes say signs cannot arbitrarily be posted away from a business premise.

The new program will be cost-neutral to the county with the exception of some administrative costs. Businesses will buy their signs from the same company that CDOT uses. The cost is $250 a year for a name-specific panel plus one trailblazer sign that points out a change in direction.

Richard Swaback, director of facilities for the Shambhala Mountain Center near Red Feather Lakes, said the center is eager to use the directional signs because it gets about 10,000 visitors a year.

"They often end up at the post office in Red Feather Lakes and then get directions back," he said.

Dan Morin, co-owner of the Sundance Trail Guest Ranch located on Red Feather Lakes Road, also supported the program. Morin represents dude ranches through the Colorado Tourism Office. Once guests arrive in the state, he said, "we need to provide them with as much comfort and safety as we can." That includes helping them find their destination.

Dr. Janice Weixelman, owner of Red Feather Medical Clinic, criticized the county for rushing through a sign program after ignoring the issue for several years. Concerns of local businesses have not been adequately answered, she said. She also urged the county to let local contractors bid on the project.

County Engineer Mark Peterson said the county could not solicit bids and get signs in time for the summer tourist season. The county will piggyback on CDOT's contract with Colorado Logos for two years and can then decide if it wants to solicit bids from local contractors.

The county's sign program lists several conditions for sign placement. There will be an appeals process for businesses to request exceptions. The program took effect May 1.