So it seems that a Breckenridge homeowners association has filed suit to stop development of a new hotel project. It would appear that the old adage from Ecclesiastes — “There is no new thing under the sun” — is true. 

As a visitor to Colorado before moving to Summit County eight years ago, I noticed an interesting pattern. Everybody wants to move to Colorado, but all too many want to close the gate behind them and not let anyone else in. It does not take long for new residents to begin vigorously opposing any new development. Is this something new? No, it is not.

In his beautiful 1972 anthem “Rocky Mountain High,” John Denver lamented, “They try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more, more people, more scars upon the land.” With all due respect to the dear departed Mr. Denver, I don’t think he saw his 7,700-square-foot Aspen mansion as part of the problem. Neither do the Breckenridge homeowners association plaintiffs.