Commission renews Boar's Nest malt-beverage license after sheriff warns of parking and burnout risks

Commissioners voted May 26 to renew the Boar's Nest malt-beverage license after a presentation from the sheriff's office documenting parking congestion and vehicle burnouts near the business on Aztec Hill. The sheriff's office provided photos and a 2023 video showing cars parked along the guardrail and motorists walking near traffic; the chief deputy said the situation created a “certain, public risk” given semitrailers and steep grades at that location.

The sheriff's deputy explained that state law limits enforcement options: parking is illegal only when part of a vehicle is on the roadside white line. “There’s nothing we can do as far as law enforcement, to remove those vehicles,” the deputy said, while adding that the office had assigned substantial patrol resources in 2024 to reduce the behavior. Commissioners discussed what the owners could control versus behaviors on the state highway and noted planned mitigation steps including added parking and shuttle service.

The Boar's Nest owner told the commission the business expanded parking on the lower lot and ran a shuttle during rallies last year; she said the site does not encourage illegal parking and that the worst congestion occurs during a few special events. “We were busy this weekend. We didn't have anybody parking on the highway. They were using the lot that we have down there,” the owner said.

Commissioner discussion recognized both community safety concerns and remediation efforts. One commissioner said the sheriff’s report showed problems that were “remediated so far” but recommended giving the establishment another year to demonstrate compliance. The commission voted to renew the license for the coming year and directed staff and law enforcement to continue monitoring parking, shuttle use and event controls.