BACA GRANDE SUBDIVISIONS — Residents and legal representatives have been active since Aug. 8 when a volunteer group from the Baca Grande Property Owners Association submitted a petition to Saguache County District Court to form the town of Baca Grande.

The volunteer group spent a year researching and preparing the petition, followed by notifying POA members. They initiated weekly information-sharing meetings on Sept. 19.

Held via ZOOM on Oct. 3 and 10, the meeting agendas included financial analysis, the election process, and grant-writing resources for rural towns.

Another meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 to discuss affordable housing, a potential solar farm, and the democratic challenge of becoming a town.

In separate meetings since September, the Baca Grande POA board met with members to discuss the 2023 POA budget and other issues.

On Oct. 6, they hosted a picnic outside the POA hall, complete with hot dogs and music.

During the same timeframe, the general counsel for the Baca Grande POA filed a Motion to Intervene and a Motion to Dismiss with the Saguache County District Court.

On Oct. 4, the court issued an order granting the Motion to Intervene. The township petitioners have until Oct. 21 to respond.

As the POA board communicated to members on Oct. 4, “These Motions should not be construed to mean we are against different ideas or even the thought of exploring various paths forward; however, our responsibility is to protect the property values of our Members and preserve the desirability of the Baca Grande. We feel the petition, as filed, and currently pursued, poses significant risks to our collective future. We are open to different approaches. We believe it is constructive and healthy for the community to research, discuss and explore various responsible paths forward in a deliberate manner which may help us collectively provide needed services, maintain our property values, maintain our way-of-living, and preserve the unique rural nature of the Baca Grande. We also believe any such effort should ensure upfront, with the utmost rigor and care, that these goals can be achieved in a cost-effective equitable fashion.”

The Baca Grande POA annual meeting, board member election, and 2023 budget approval will take place at the POA Hall on Oct. 14, starting at 7 p.m.