SAM Magazine - Wolf Creek, Colo., June 5, 2008 - Wolf Creek ski area has settled a lawsuit with an adjacent property owner who plans to develop the land next to the ski area out of court. The ski area was opposed to the development.

The project, headed by Billy Joe "Red" McCombs, one of the founders of Clear Channel Communications, consists of approximately 300 acres adjacent to the resort. McCombs has been hoping to build a resort village on the property, with housing for approximately 10,000 people and more than 200,000 square feet of commercial space.

While details of the settlement are unavailable, the move still does not clear the way for the development of the property. Last February, additional lawsuits filed by local environmental groups were also settled out of court. According to the terms of that settlement, the U.S. Forest Service will conduct a new environmental analysis of the impact of access roads to the property, which pass across public lands. That process is expected to take 18 months and will include public hearings.

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