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Board approves Boreas Pass Railroad Days special-event permit for Como roundhouse
Summary
The Park County commissioners approved a special-event permit for Boreas Pass Railroad Days at the historic Como roundhouse, imposing Planning Commission conditions that include minimum restroom counts, on-site medical presence, security arrangements and proof of insurance naming the county as additional insured.
The Park County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 on Aug. 13 to approve a special-event permit (Case A25-0058) for Boreas Pass Railroad Days, an outdoor community event at the historic narrow-gauge railroad roundhouse in Como.
County planning staff presented the application and Planning Commission conditions. Planner Brandon Heacock told the board the parcel containing the roundhouse is about 9.98 acres, and an adjacent parcel of about 54.5 acres owned by Como Roundhouse LLC is proposed for parking and ingress/egress. Heacock said referrals to emergency services, county public works and state agencies produced no objections and recommended approval with the Planning Commission’s conditions.
The Planning Commission conditions — which staff read into the record — require the applicant to confirm restroom counts prior to the BOCC meeting; provide at least one on-site medical staff member and an enclosed medical space; provide security personnel; obtain any required liquor and food licenses; submit a post-event report; and add Park County as an additional insured on the event insurance certificate. Heacock reported the applicant ordered additional portable restrooms (a total of six plus the roundhouse facilities), arranged on-site EMS coverage via the South Park Ambulance District and secured a commitment from Sergeant Barbara Grover of the Fair Play Police for paid law-enforcement presence.
Applicant Tom Lawson and community supporters told the board the event is a long-running community fundraiser and helps preserve the roundhouse; applicants are pursuing nonprofit status and a purchase to protect the structure. Two community speakers — Andrew Zimmerman and volunteer Tina Bogani — spoke in favor and described the event’s historic and tourism value. Planning staff noted the event has run about 20 years with no formal complaints on record and that, if the 2025 event proceeds smoothly and a post-event report is submitted, staff may approve the event administratively in future years.
Formal action: Commissioner Mitchell moved to approve Case A25-0058; the motion was seconded and carried 3-0. The board assigned resolution number 2025-027 to the permit approval. Conditions remain in the Planning Commission’s written recommendation and are part of the permit record.
