Watch VideoHayman starter free, fire victims have mixed feelings
Story By: David Tauchen
Source: KOAA
Published Tue Jun 03, 2008, 10:14 PM MDT
Updated Wed Jun 04, 2008, 06:38 AM MDT
There's a 40 acre stretch of land near Lake George that represented a dream for Ginger Krabbenhoft. She and her husband hoped to build a home and retire there someday.
"This is where we were going to be able to have a home and enjoy the beautiful sky, the animals of the forest," said Krabbenhoft.
Unfortunately they never realized that dream. The Hayman Fire swept through their land six years ago destroying most of the trees. It ruined the property value, left hundreds of dead trees which they are still taking down. Krabbenhoft expects she'll be clearing dead trees the rest of her life. The work will never end.
In her eyes, Terry Barton has an obligation to come and help. "I think Terry now belongs here working. I think her hours should be donated to the Coalition of the Upper South Platte."
Just down the road, there's a similar feeling. John and Bani Kurth own and operate the Kwanaci Lodge, a bed and breakfast.
"I felt from day one that she should have been out here planting trees," said Bani Kurth. She says the prison sentence was useless and that Barton should have been ordered to work to restore what she damaged.
The Kurth's say their business is still feeling the effects from the fire. "People are still unsure what's up here," said John Kurth.
This year the Kwanaci Lodge hasn't had a single guest. It may be the economy; it may be the fire.
Some fire victims say they just want to move forward. That's exactly why Krabbenhoft continues to work cleaning up her land, so that hopefully someday it will be a dream for someone else.
"We will restore it for the next generation," said Krabbenhoft.
