quote:

I am sitting here in one of the hiding spots, for about 2 hours now.

^^^^^^^^^
It will happen just after you leave. I wish there were a better solution for you than to hide and wait. There is also the possibility that the vandalism has nothing to do with your position on the gravel quarry. I read over all the posts, and it certainly seems possible that you can delay things for some time, perhaps longer.

You are absolutely correct ZSMichael, I don't know if it is related to the quarry at all. Does seem highly suspicious though, and where the shots are coming from, the property is managed by the rancher wanting the quarry. Coincidence? Maybe. I just don't know until I catch someone red handed.

One of the things brought up to the state was their lack of signage for the quarry, as mandated by the state. They received a notice about it about 5-6 days before my sign was vandalized. Again, coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Honestly, I would just put a new address marker up, rather than waste hours and days of my time trying to catch someone shooting it. It could very well be high school kids or something. There's also no sense possibly getting shot over a piece of wood and numbers.

Don't get shot.

I’d buy a piece of plate steel. Paint the numbers on it. You might not hear the shot, but steel has a ring that may carry all the way to your home.
The upside to this is that you won’t have to replace the sign again, and if it’s dumbass kids with their deer rifle and nothing else to shoot at, they may sit there shooting for quite a while, enjoying the ring of steel. Increases the odds of catching someone.

I’m praying for an outcome that your family is on the winning side, big time. I feel for you, and can only imagine. But as others have said, you’re no good to your family and you can’t fight if you’re a wreck. Put your anger to work, and beat these guys. Good luck Mike

Build a brush pile and stick a game camera in it or use a tree and mount the camera with a Python cable and pile vertical sticks to camouflage it.

Also keep a log of things that happen. You would be surprised at were some things point to.

Also another thought is place a camera across the road and they probably wouldn't be looking in that direction.

Stick a long 10 penny nail in the bullet hole to determine the direction of the shot.

Put a tannerite backstop on the sign, then you'll know the shot as will everyone else! (kidding, humor).

Steel plate might be good too.

I you go wood, stack sand bags behind the new sign to catch the bullets.

One resource I haven't seen mentioned is the Federal EPA. That is an agency that NO privately held company can "bully". In your case there are a lot of aspects that fall under the EPA's purview. Such as the dust and potential hazardous materials within the dust. Then there is the potential risk of permanent damage to the Aquifer and contamination. Then there are the proposed changes to ground elevations and it's effect on the flow and pooling of the water on that land.

These are all great big clubs that the EPA swings and they don't fool around. When the EPA wants a report on these issues you don't send photographs, you hire a local university to have a team do the requested study.

Another thing to look into is the effect of this change of use on your property value. Seem rather obvious that a property that once was easy to sell is going to be unsalable if this project goes forward. It seems to me that a big fat lawsuit is in order here. So pay attention to determine who is the most aggressive ambulance chaser in the Denver area and have a talk with them about the economic damage and it's effect on your health.

Thanks guys, and thanks Scooter for the EPA idea.

There are no trees anywhere here, I mean none. The road is about 20 miles long. I have a nice hide, on a hill, behind some yuccas, where I can't be seen either direction. I have a good view of my sign, the road, and the area on the road where the shooting is coming from. I am about 500 to 600 yards away from the road. I am on public land. There are no homes or structures out here, just open prairie, a few hills, and cattle. Today I was able to find a good draw to hide my truck, and approach the hide on foot without being seen from the road. Which is nice, because the wind was howling, and I could go warm up in my truck for a bit.

The sign is actually a telephone pole, mounted in concrete. The address was about 8 feet in the air. I built it this way because of the cows. They are apparently very itchy, and will scratch on anything. A t-post, or even 4x4 post wouldn't stand a chance against them. I figured, if you can't beat them, join them, so put in the telephone pole. They can rub against it all they want.

I will be replacing the address part of the sign, kind of have to if I ever want deliveries, emergency services, etc. I am really digging the idea of putting up a steel plate, perhaps some AR500 1/2" or thicker. Should keep it from being destroyed if shot again, and I can touch up the numbers with stencils when it needs it.

I will try to camouflage a game cam, but it will be at or near ground level, and at the range of the shots, I am not sure it would pick up any detail from afar. This is why I am hoping to see it personally, and perhaps video record it with my phone. Then immediately call the Sheriffs and let them deal with it. My intention is not to get shot .

Thanks again for all the ideas and support guys. I will get this person caught, and keep fighting the quarry with all the legal means at my disposal. It is trying, but I have no doubt, I will prevail, one way or another.

"Don't give up, Don't ever give up" - Jim Valvano

Bigpond - with all those wide open spaces - are you a high power rifle hobbyist?
Perhaps you should be

Bigpond, What county?
Thanks.

You're right sg, but I am not. One of these years would like to get a CMP AR. I did set up a 600 yard range outside my back door though .

Dj, am in Huerfano County.

Take a look into OSHA’s new silica dust regulations as well. They came out a year ago and are beyond strict. The mine will have to protect not only workers but everyone around from dust produced by the mine.

Thanks for the info ffemt, will definitely look into that.

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners recently denied a similar request (as I understood everything), so I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Bigpond, I feel for you in this situation. I do have an honest question, though. Is and was a quarry an allowed use or does the project require zoning waivers. Is there zoning? I'm coming at this from an Easterner so I know the landscape is very different.

I guess what I'm getting at is it possible that this was always a potential use of the neighboring property and you just were not aware of it when you bought your piece. In other words, is this an allowed use?

How are things going coalition building?

Fighting this on your own is too easy to be swept away.

If the greenies, and the EPA, and state representative, and the media etc are all fighting this then that's the best odds of making this enough of a bother for them to go somewhere els.