Former Palmer Lake Mayor Resigns Amid Buc-ee’s Controversy

The former mayor of Palmer Lake, Colorado, has gained attention for referring to those against the annexation of Buc-ee’s stores as “terrorists” and “losers,” based on recent local media reports and text messages revealed in lawsuits.

Grant Haven stepped down from her role mid-week, using derogatory terms in text conversations with friends when discussing opponents of the project. Quoting court documents, 9News highlighted this development on Thursday.

The Good True Issue and other organizations included these messages in a lawsuit against the town regarding Buc-ee’s. Local outlets, including KRDO13, reported on this situation as part of a broader controversy.

Earlier revelations came from a group chat where a former friend of Haven’s shared details. According to filings mentioned by 9News, it was alleged that Haven tried to influence public opinion by creating social media accounts under different names.

Additionally, Haven is facing charges related to integrity issues, including violating open meeting regulations and inappropriate discussions pertaining to executive sessions. The nonprofit organization has pointed to messages that reportedly demonstrate these concerns.

The controversy surrounding Buc-ee’s has been a significant topic for some time in the area. Earlier this year, efforts were made to remind town council members about the handling of Buc-ee’s annexation meetings from the previous year.

Haven mentioned that the ongoing harassment tied to the Buc-ee’s annexation significantly influenced her decision to resign. She expressed a desire to prevent further community conflicts that might arise if opponents pursued her memories as mayor.

“I didn’t want petitioners to be out all summer with their signatures disrupting the peace at Lake Palmer,” she remarked.

When asked about the text messages, she commented on enduring “harassment for 10 months” but maintained that she would refrain from speaking negatively about those involved.

Haven also expressed that leaking private text messages was “not appropriate” and noted that these messages didn’t convey the full truth.

Fox Business reached out to town managers Dawn Collins and the Palmer Lake Town Office for further details.

The proposed site for Buc-ee’s is located near Interstate 25, and as of late May, Buc-ee’s operated over 50 locations nationwide.