Old Spanish Trail users continue fight against missing developer

Click to Enlarge Susan Rose talks to a group about native plants growing along the Gunnison Bluffs near the northern branch of the Old Spanish Trail on Orchard Mesa. Rose is a native plants expert and horticulturist with the Tri River Area Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Rose spoke to a group of people attending a tour Thursday, to learn about the Old Spanish Trail. Vicki Felmlee

By Sharon Sullivan
Grand Junction CO Colorado
May 9, 2008

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    GRAND JUNCTION — Ute Indians, ancient people and animals were using sections of what’s now known as the Old Spanish Trail long before Spanish explorers arrived in the area.

    Archeologist Curtis Martin spoke Thursday to a group of 35 people, including Mesa County Commissioner Steve Acquafresca, and regional directors for U.S. Rep. John Salazar and U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, Richard Baca and Trudy Kareus, respectively.

    The group, which also included residents of an Orchard Mesa neighborhood near the Old Spanish Trail, as well as hikers and mountain bikers had taken a bus ride to Whitewater and the Gunnison Bluffs and Old Spanish Trail trailhead, to begin a tour of the Old Spanish Trail.

    Vicki Felmlee, president of the Orchard Mesa Neighbors in Action — a group that wants to see the historic trail protected — also invited about 20 city staff, including planners, council members, parks, and communication personnel, none of whom attended, Felmlee said.

    Felmlee, her neighbors and other people who use this northern branch of the national historic trail that begins in Whitewater and continues north to Orchard Mesa are attempting to raise awareness of the area, and raise awareness that a Weld county developer wants to build a subdivision there. The nationally designated trail begins in northern New Mexico, and ends in Los Angeles.

    Weld County developer Mark Strodtman’s company, the Shores, LLC, has petitioned the city to annex land he owns so that he can build a subdivision at 166 Edlun Road, on 17 acres near the trail.

    In March, a grand jury indicted Strodtman, 50, on 11 counts of theft, 11 counts of forgery and one count of racketeering. An arrest warrant was issued, and Strodtman agreed to turn himself in.

    He never did, and now Weld County authorities believe Strodtman has fled the country.

    “The warrant is active and we’re trying to locate him. We believe he’s gone to Mexico,” said Margie Martinez, Weld County undersheriff.

    The sheriff’s office is working with Mexican authorities to try and find Strodtman, Martinez said.

    Felmlee and her group have asked Grand Junction planners to postpone the consideration of Strodtman’s application. But now that he’s missing, “we’re asking for denial,” Felmlee said.

    “Our concern is if they develop that property it will close off the trailhead,” said Pamela McGuirk, who lives in the vicinity of the Old Spanish Trail and Gunnison Bluffs trails. “Plus we don’t want somebody with that kind of criminal background building in our backyard.”

    McGuirk said the 17-acre parcel Strodtman wants annexed, is a “port of entry” for the additional 361 acres Strodtman owns in the area. The Old Spanish Trail cuts through Strodtman’s property.

    After the short walk up the Gunnison Bluff’s trail where the archeologist talk took place, the group boarded the bus, headed back toward Grand Junction, turning south onto 29 Road, and to the Gunnison Bluffs overlooking the Gunnison River.

    Susan Rose is a native plants expert and horticulturist with Tri River Area Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Rose pointed out an array of plants growing in the rocky soil, such as salt brush, native grasses, desert onion, astragulus (loco weed), native mustard, and borage, while a splattering of raindrops fell.

    “We should be able to see a wonderful wildflower season this year,” Rose said.

    There are sweeping vistas of Grand Mesa, the Uncompahgre, the Book Cliffs and redwall canyons to the west.

    John and Tonya Martin sought out the Orchard Mesa Neighbors after reading a Feb. 22 Free Press article about the group, Tonya Martin said.

    “It’s such a personal thing for me and John and our dog. We love this place so much,” Tonya Martin said.

    At least once a week, the couple mountain bikes the five-mile Gunnison Bluffs-Old Spanish Trail loop, while their dog runs along the trail. They also often walk from their home to the trailhead on Orchard Mesa.

    Greg Moberg, Grand Junction planning services supervisor, said Strodtman’s petition for annexation is still under review and it’ll be at least a month before it goes before city council for review.

    “We do not have the legal authority to stop the process based on an indictment,” Moberg said. “Certainly city council could stop it, table it or do whatever they want to do. But we’re required to move forward with it.”

    Even if Strodtman is convicted, the LLC could still be a valid application, Moberg said.

    Pickett Engineering is the civil engineering firm representing The Shores in Grand Junction.

    Company president Kris Pickett said he doesn’t know if Strodtman still owns the property he’s representing. He said he’s dealt mostly with his partner Jeffrey Wald.

    “My understanding is Jeff Wald is trying to get ownership entirely, for obvious reasons,” Pickett said.

    Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.