Love\u2019s development plan includes a convenience store and at least one eatery. There are five passenger fuel islands and four to six diesel fueling bays, a truck scale, dog park, RV dump and water and a small propane tank filling station. Parking is planned for 55 to 60 passenger vehicles and 25 to 30 trucks.<\/p>\n
Redevelopment of the property hinged on the required cleanup of a 1994 diesel spill of 1,500 gallons from a storage tank. The M&M Truck Stop closed in 2001. Underground and above-ground fuel tanks had been removed, but the soil contamination problem remained.<\/p>\n
In an effort to solve the blight at Cortez\u2019s doorstep, Montezuma County officials have been urging various owners and the state to negotiate a cleanup for redevelopment. The property changed hands several times, and state enforcement attempts were not successful.<\/p>\n
In February 2020. the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety took over clean up of the property in partnership with then owner Jovian Petroleum.<\/p>\n
The agency completed the environmental cleanup of fuel-contaminated soils in November.<\/p>\n
The reclaimed property received a green light for redevelopment from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. It has since been purchased by Love\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Love\u2019s, based in Oklahoma City, has more than 530 stores in 41 states, according to its website. The 24-hour fuel station targets high travel areas and truck routes, and caters to professional drivers.<\/p>\n