Advocacy Alert: Oppose the Berlaimont Project
- Howdy!
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
BACKGROUND:
Berlaimont Estates is a proposed massive 19 trophy home development on 680 acres of private land surrounded by the White River National Forest just north of Edwards. The Florida-based developers need approval for a dramatically expanded paved road across public land to provide access to the proposed development. The road would cut through the heart of some of the last remaining winter range in the Eagle Valley for elk and deer. The parcel is also an important migration corridor for what used to be the second largest migratory deer herd in Colorado. Deer and elk populations in Eagle County have been rapidly declining in recent decades due to increasing development.
After a long and contentious public process, and an environmental analysis that showed significant impacts to wildlife, in 2023 the Forest Service granted initial approval for a paved road through the surrounding public land. Wilderness Workshop and other environmental groups, with support from ESWA, filed litigation objecting to such approval. That litigation remains pending.
The public has long opposed the Berlaimont project because it would harm wildlife, limit public recreation access, and create serious wildfire risks – all so an out-of-state developer can sell trophy homes to out-of-state millionaires. Over 4,000 community members have signed a petition opposing the development.
RECENT UPDATES:
Access Waiver Request: The Berlaimont developer is expected to soon file a request with the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners for a waiver from the County’s normal requirement that developments such as Berlaimont construct at least two means of egress and ingress. This common-sense, safety requirement ensures that in the event of wildfire in or near the development residents can safely evacuate and fire fighters can fight the fire even if one access route is blocked by fire.
Bennet Amendment: In January 2026, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet introduced an amendment to a federal appropriations bill that would have prohibited the use of federal funds for the proposed Berlaimont access road. Unfortunately, the Senator’s amendment was rejected but he will try other ways.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Write Senator Bennet an email here thanking him for trying to block the use of federal funds in connection with the Berlaimont project and urging him to continue his efforts.
2. Write a letter to the editor of the Vail Daily here expressing your concerns about the Berlaimont project: Word Count: 300
3. Write or call the members of the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners to oppose any request for a waiver of the safety related two access road requirement.
Matt Sherr (District 1): Email: matt.scherr@eaglecounty.us. Phone: 920-328-8625
Tom Boyd (District 2): Email: tom.boyd@eaglecounty.us Phone: 970-328-8615
Jeanne McQuenny (District 3): Email: Jeanne.mcqueeny@eaglecounty.us Phone: 970-471-0635
USEFUL LINKS:
Great Summary by Wilderness Workshop, including talking points