Elbert County OKs year‑round special‑use permit for The Patch events on Highway 86

Elbert County commissioners voted to approve a special use by review (SUR20247360) permitting an amusement/entertainment venue known as The Patch to operate year‑round at a roughly 110‑acre site on the south side of Highway 86.

The vote to approve the request, as drafted in the staff resolution, carried unanimously. The resolution includes standard permitting conditions, a requirement that a traffic study be submitted to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) within three years for review, and deadlines for recording the approved SUR exhibit.

County planning staff told commissioners the Patch’s seasonal pumpkin operation has run in Elbert County since 2017 and moved to the Highway 86 site within the past year. The applicants seek an SUR because prior use relied on temporary use permits that are limited to 60 days per calendar year; the SUR would allow a wider range of events across seasons including the fall pumpkin patch, Easter events, summer nights, movie nights, a Christmas light drive‑through, weddings and other outdoor gatherings. Staff said most activities would be concentrated in the northern third of the parcel closest to Highway 86 and that existing and proposed structures are shown in the SUR exhibit.

Staff noted the proposal went through two review cycles, met notice requirements and was reviewed by multiple agencies, including Elbert County Public Health, the Office of Emergency Management and CDOT. Planning staff summarized the draft conditions of approval the board considered: applicants must obtain all required building permits; re‑permit any existing residential structures that will be used commercially; submit a traffic study to CDOT and the county within three years; revise the SUR exhibit to ensure compliance with county standards; remove public notice signs; record the exhibit within 180 days; and pay applicable fees.

At the Planning Commission hearing the commission recommended three additional conditions, including limiting the approved calendar of events to four named seasonal events (Easter, summer nights, the fall pumpkin patch and a Christmas light event), requiring a traffic study within 60 days, and installing field fencing to separate the event area from adjacent livestock. County staff explained those planning commission recommendations differed from CDOT’s request. CDOT told staff it preferred a multi‑year data set and therefore asked for a traffic study after operations are established; staff said CDOT asked for a traffic study within three years so the agency would have actual operational numbers to evaluate future improvements.

Dustin Smith, who with his wife Kathy identifies as an owner of The Patch, described the operation’s history and community role. “We felt that we had the opportunity to provide an activity that gave families a chance to connect,” Smith said, describing the site as family‑oriented and noting prior incidents—such as a medical emergency at a corn crib—that underlined the need for coordination with emergency responders. Smith said electrical inspections were completed and that the applicants provided an initial traffic memo and later updated projections to CDOT; he said on‑site traffic mitigation currently includes employee traffic control and towable message signs recommended by Colorado Highway Patrol.

Public comment at the hearing was overwhelmingly supportive. Multiple employees and volunteers described work opportunities and community benefits: “Working at The Patch has just brought me so much,” said Sienna Snively, who identified herself as a returning seasonal employee. Aaron DeBellis, a volunteer, told commissioners the site offers young people work‑skill training he said they would not otherwise receive locally.

Commission discussion focused on permitting details, fencing, lighting and traffic. Commissioner Schroeder asked whether building‑department permits and re‑permitting of structures had been completed; staff said records were unclear and the condition requiring required permits is intended to ensure any outstanding permits are obtained. Commissioners noted the County can revisit SUR approvals as needed; staff said an SUR can be reviewed annually if concerns arise.

The Board approved the SUR as presented in the staff resolution with the listed conditions. The motion as recorded approved SUR20247360 with the staff conditions; the roll call was recorded as unanimous “aye.”

The Patch operation currently reports roughly 75 part‑time and three to four full‑time employees on site during events. Staff emphasized that sanitation and portable restroom permitting will be handled through Elbert County Public Health and that final exhibit revisions and signatures must be completed before recording.

With approval granted, the applicants must complete the stated conditions, pay fees and record the exhibit within 180 days. CDOT will evaluate the traffic study submitted in up to three years to determine if additional road improvements or mitigation are required.