The City of Glenwood Springs filed a motion Monday to intervene in Rocky Mountain Resources’ lawsuit against Garfield County.
The controversial mining company operates the Mid-Continent Quarry just north of Glenwood Springs. It filed federal and state lawsuits suggesting Garfield County has no authority over their limestone mining operations after the county cited the company for violating their special-use permit.
Glenwood Springs City Attorney Karl Hanlon says the city wants to intervene because it believes it has just as much authority over the mining operations as the county. He also says the city has interests, like environmental impacts and its tourism economy, that are not adequately represented by the county.
Hanlon says if the city’s intervention is approved by the judge, they will become a third party in the lawsuit.
“We are also positioning ourself as a similar public entity to the county, and I would note that the county did not oppose our intervention in the lawsuit,” Hanlon said. “We really view them as partners in this.”
Hanlon expects the judge to make a ruling around February.
Editor's Note: Karl Hanlon serves on the board of Aspen Public Radio.
