We report today that a Settlement has been reached in the Taralyn Romero VS Jefferson County and Kittredge Park. I have been on the side of the homeowner, Taralyn Romero, right up until they accepted the $250,000 payout from taxpayers in Jefferson County.
History of the Taralyn Romero VS Jefferson County and Kittredge Park
In 2021, a dispute erupted in Kittredge, Colorado, when Taralyn Romero, the new owner of a piece of land that included a popular creek, cut off public access to Bear Creek. The area had been a traditional recreational spot for the past 35 years, but Romero claimed that park visitors were trashing the land. This decision caused a major rift in the community and eventually led to a lawsuit between Romero and Jefferson County.
Jefferson County Claimed it Owned the Land
The county government claimed that the land should belong to the public because of its recreational history and filed a lawsuit against Romero seeking to obtain the disputed land through “adverse possession.” This legal term refers to a situation where someone can claim ownership of land by using it openly and without interruption for a specified period of time.
The Kittredge Park Dispute Continued for a Year
The dispute was highly contentious and lasted for over a year. However, in a recent settlement deal, both parties came to an agreement that was beneficial for all involved. The settlement, which was announced in a community meeting, was a “win-win” for both parties.
Terms of the Romero Jefferson County Kittredge Park Settlement
Under the terms of the settlement, the county will pay Romero $250,000, and the disputed creek access area will become officially part of Kittredge Park property. The public will continue to have access to the same beach area that has been a traditional recreational spot for the past 35 years. As part of the agreement, Jefferson County and the Evergreen Park and Recreation District will conduct a land survey to establish new property deeds for Romero and Kittredge Park. Fences will be built to mark private and public property.
While the settlement was hailed as a “win-win” for both parties, some community members were disappointed with the agreement. They felt as though they had been used
The Kittredge Park land dispute has been settled after a year of litigation and discussions between the county government and Taralyn Romero. The disagreement arose when Romero purchased land that included a popular creek in Kittredge, Colorado, and cut off public access to Bear Creek, which had been a traditional recreational spot for 35 years. The county filed a lawsuit against Romero for adverse possession. In the settlement, both parties agreed that the disputed creek access area will become officially part of Kittredge Park property, and Romero will receive $250,000. Jefferson County and the Evergreen Park and Recreation District will conduct a land survey to establish new property deeds for Romero and Kittredge Park, and fences will be built to mark private and public property. While the settlement was seen as a “win-win” for both parties, some community members were disappointed, and there was no real legal decision if the county can continue their land grab. The settlement has put an end to a year-long dispute that divided the community and serves as a reminder of how conflicts can affect the community and the importance of coming to a compromise.
Key points:
- The dispute arose when Taralyn Romero purchased land that included a popular creek in Kittredge, Colorado, and cut off public access to Bear Creek.
- The county filed a lawsuit against Romero for adverse possession.
- The settlement was a “win-win” for both parties, with Romero receiving $250,000, and the disputed creek access area officially becoming part of Kittredge Park property.
- Jefferson County and the Evergreen Park and Recreation District will conduct a land survey to establish new property deeds for Romero and Kittredge Park, and fences will be built to mark private and public property.
- The settlement has ended a year-long dispute that divided the community and serves as a reminder of the importance of coming to a compromise.
