What Will Happen to El Rancho
Alice Carmody
After moving to Colorado in 1993 and working at a title company, I pursued a career in real estate...
After moving to Colorado in 1993 and working at a title company, I pursued a career in real estate...
With a cabin atmosphere and cozy feel that has served motorists and locals for 76 years, the iconic El Rancho restaurant building may either be demolished or moved across the street to make way for a new gas station and convenience store.
Plans are currently in the works for QuikTrip to buy the property from Sherry and Jack Buchanan, who own part of the land just off Interstate 70, about 18 miles west of Denver.
Once the land sale closes, Jefferson County will still have to approve a site development plan, which could take up to nine months, according to a county spokesperson.
“Evergreen would be losing part of their heritage,” said Kim Teshke-Timm, leader of the Save El Rancho Campaign, a group that opposes any plans to demolish El Rancho.
El Rancho has become such an integral part of the landscape since 1948 that an exit for the restaurant was worked in along I-70 when the interstate was built. A road named after the restaurant also runs through the community.
Teshke-Timm’s group has collected 1,500 signatures on an online petition. While the petition has no impact on the development process, Teshke-Timm says many people believe a gas station would bring adverse traffic to the area, including semi trucks.
The Buchanans declined to speak to 9NEWS on camera for this story but said over text messages and a voicemail that they are working hard to make plans to physically move El Rancho's building to a different lot across the street.
Teshke-Timm called the plans to move the restaurant building a “pipe dream” as a way to get the community initially on board with the land sale and gas station plans before the building is ultimately destroyed.
“We don't see how the plans to put a gas station, which is not needed, which is mainly for the people traveling on I-70, is going to help Evergreen,” Teshke-Timm said.
She also pointed to past lawsuits filed against the Buchanans as credibility issues amid the land sale.
9NEWS found several legal cases filed against the Buchanans over the last 10 years in Colorado for breach of contract, including an eviction for not paying rent on an Evergreen property in 2015.
The civil cases have concluded in court and don’t appear to have any impact on the land sale negotiation with QuikTrip.
9NEWS asked Sherry Buchanan for estimates on the cost to move the building, but she declined to provide “financials” and said funding for a move could come from grants and other sources.
“We welcome participation from anyone in the community who is truly interested in saving this community landmark,” Sherry Buchanan said over text.
Teshke-Timm said she understands the building may not be viable as a restaurant, but would like to see it converted into something like a welcome center for Evergreen.
The building has not been designated a historical landmark and the land is already zoned commercial. A county spokesperson told 9NEWS that no other historical groups would have a say in the development process.
“It’s going to be tough because obviously the people who own the property can do what they want with it. It’s already zoned commercial. So it’s going to be tough,” Teshke-Timm said. “So we are basically trying to – not pressure – but ask the county to look at this one. And to ask QuikTrip to move on. This is just not the place for you.”
9NEWS also reached out to QuickTrip about its plans for the land once the sale closes and has not heard back as of this publication.
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