Haxtun Town Council establishes truck route

After many conversations and months worth of work, the Haxtun Town Council adopted an ordinance establishing a truck route through city limits. The adoption came at a Monday evening, May 6 meeting of the Haxtun Town Council.

In 2021 Haxtun voters passed ballot question 2A to approve a major street project by a margin of 325 yes votes to 70 no votes. Since then, the Town of Haxtun has worked to complete those major street repairs and in doing so, the Council wishes to protect that investment.

Over the past year or so, many discussions around the Council table have involved a truck route for vehicles overweight and oversized. The ordinance states its intent is to restrict overweight and oversized vehicles as necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the Town’s citizens and its streets.

Per the ordinance, found on page 3 of last week’s of the Herald, all trucks weighing 15,000 pounds or more should use only the follow roadways: all of Washington Avenue (Highway 59) and First Street (Highway 6); south Cooper Avenue to east Fletcher Street; east Fletcher Street to Washington Avenue; all of Railroad Street; south Fairview Avenue from First Street to Railroad Street; south Colorado Avenue from First Street to Railroad Street; and south Burlington Avenue from First Street to Railroad Street.

The routes listed above are now known as the Haxtun Truck Route and should be utilized by all trucks exceeding 15,000 pounds. There are some exemptions, which can be found in the full ordinance. Copies of the full ordinance can be located at the Haxtun Town Hall or online at https://townofhaxtun.colorado.gov/. The Haxtun Police Department will be working with the public to education the new route.

At the start of the May meeting, council members held a public hearing for a zoning request for the CB & Pods Annexation. There was no public comment and no changes made to the annexation agreement. A public hearing was held on May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall to adopt the annexation resolution, annexation ordinance and zoning ordinance.

The land for the annexation sits just west of Dollar General and Better Forage lots on the south side of Highway 6. The plan is to use the space for storage units by CB & Pods.

Council members also spent time reviewing and discussing the Town’s building permit application and policy. According to Town Clerk Kelsey Harms there were no changes made to the fee but some wording was added to the policy to address possible damages.

The policy change states that any person, homeowner or contractor, involved in the damage of Haxtun roadways during the construction or demolition process of the property is liable for the repairs of the roadway. The Town of Haxtun Superintendent will evaluate the damage and take necessary steps for the repairs and bill for the damages accordingly.

The addition to the policy, Harms said, is a way for the Town to protect the streets and upgrades the Town is working towards.

In other business:

• Discussed the Colorado State University Rural Action Project. The winning mural, called "One Heart, One Family, One Community" by Olivia Stone will be painted on the old concession stand at the ball park. That building is used for equipment storage;

• Tabled an Incentive application from Rod Salvador to gather more information;

• The Town of Haxtun received a grant for Town Hall to help with ADA accessibility for the website.