Second Colorado Buc-ee's in the Works

By 5 a.m. on March 18, fans were lined up to get inside Colorado's first Buc-ee's, off I-25 at exit 252 in Johnstown. The massive, 72,000-square-foot travel center is much more than a typical gas station — it's a sprawling destination for endless snacks, merch, souvenirs and...gem-covered cow skull decor?

The Johnstown Buc-ee's was the first outside of the South for the Texas-born chain. But now it's eyeing a potential second Colorado location, off I-25 between Larkspur and Monument.

In response to questions about "a potential annexation of land outside of Palmer Lake boundaries," Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar posted a statement on Facebook explaining that "the developer in question, for a potential Buc-ee’s on County Line Road and I-25, came forward inquiring about annexation. They were statutorily granted a hearing to determine eligibility. Per state statute, an annexation hearing is afforded to anyone who asks for one. (C.R.S. § 31-12-107)." The hearing "to determine if the owner is eligible to move forward in the process" will take place on December 12, and "residents are encouraged to attend that meeting to learn more, ask questions and make comments," the statement adds.
The addition of a Buc-ee's will certainly draw crowds to the area, which is pretty quiet otherwise. Seven months after the debut of the Johnstown Buc-ee's, I finally made a pilgrimage there while returning from a trip to the mountains to kick off my birthday weekend.

It was a Thursday afternoon, and there was an endless stream of cars flowing into the parking lot, where people gathered around open trunks having impromptu picnics and then snapped selfies in front of the entrance.

I spent more than an hour browsing the goods and picking out a haul of snacks, including the classic-flavored Beaver Nuggets (I get the hype) and a brisket sandwich (which I'd skip next time). I also nabbed plenty of other goodies, including a Buc-ee's-branded "Happy Birthday" banner, which seemed more reasonable than the $60, six-foot tall inflatable "Party Time" Buc-ee's beaver that I put back (a choice I mildly regret).

Whether this potential location pans out or not, it's pretty clear that Buc-ee's has had a warm Colorado reception and will likely continue to expand in the state — which we're okay with, especially if it means easy access to Beaver Nuggets while making the drive from Denver to Colorado Springs.