Frequently Asked Questions

What is Auto-trol?
Auto-trol Technology Corp. is a Thornton-based software company that has operated in the north metro area for 46 years. Auto-trol was a pioneer in Washington Tech Park, which was bare land when the company built on 19 acres at 126th Avenue and Washington Street in 1979. Auto-trol constructed 126th Avenue east of Washington at its own expense.

What is happening to Auto-trol's property at 126th and Washington in Thornton, Colorado?
The Adams 12 School District petitioned the Adams County District Court in March to take possession of Auto-trol's 19 acres of private property through an eminent domain proceeding, also called a taking. Adams 12 backed out of its commitment to take the property Aug. 14 causing Auto-trol significant cost related to moving expenses and lost time on the real estate market.

What is eminent domain?
Eminent domain is the power of a public entity to acquire a property through a condemnation process called a taking. A public entity, such as a city or school district, can decide to take possession of anyone's personal private property it deems to be useful to the public. Other instances of eminent domain in Colorado include: the I-25 expansion (T-Rex) in Denver; the construction of Denver International Airport in Adams County and the current construction efforts of RTD for its FasTracks project.

What is the current status of the eminent domain proceedings?
Since Adams 12 informed Auto-trol Aug. 14 it intends to withdraw its petition to take Auto-trol's property, the building and its 19 acres are back on the market to be sold.

Why is the action of the Adams 12 School District unfair?
Auto-trol understands that the process of eminent domain is a Constitutional right of public entities. But Auto-trol disagrees with the handling of the situation by the Adams 12 School District and disputes the lowball price the district offered to pay for the Auto-trol property - which had recently been appraised for millions of dollars more. Prior to backing out of its legal obligation, Adams 12 caused buyer interest in the Auto-trol property to dry up and the company had to find a new location under duress - putting the company in a poor negotiating position. When Adams 12 backed out of its commitment to take the property it did further damage to the marketability of the land with unfounded or exaggerated accusations.

Why did Adams 12 back out of the taking?
Auto-trol does not know why Adams 12 backed out of the taking, but it has been Auto-trol's position from the beginning that it wanted the School District to have the property if it wanted it as long as the price was at fair market value. At every request by the District, Auto-trol provided unfettered access to the building for review prior to Aug. 14 when Adams 12 announced it would not be taking the Auto-trol property. On Aug. 12, Auto-trol received a letter from Adams 12 School District indicating that the district was concerned with media attention regarding the taking through eminent domain instead of with any extra costs the school district might incur in the taking of the property. The district mentioned deferred maintenance issues in its press release. Auto-trol is not aware of any deferred maintenance and has had 3 appraisals in the last 30 months. None of them mentioned deferred maintenance as an issue. The School District mentions non-friable asbestos as an issue. This form of asbestos is commonly used in construction and is not considered a health hazard if it is not disturbed. See the Governor's memo in the More Information section.

Who else was affected by Adams 12 School District's actions?
Auto-trol is not the only user of this property that was to be displaced by the action of the Adams 12 School District. Several Little League teams and a parochial school team use the field behind the Auto-trol building for their games and practices. ThornCreek Church, with 500 members, also uses space provided by Auto-trol inside its building for church services and office space. Both the children's baseball teams and the church must find new locations.
The School Districts actions will reflect in property values in the area as business, investors and residents worry about the next possible actions of the District as well as the depression of property values created by this uncertainty.

What can I do about this unfair situation?
Please inform your neighbors about Adams 12 School District attempted taking of the Auto-trol property and stay tuned to this Web site for developments of the situation.
We encourage you to become involved in your communities activities in this area. If you are a resident of the area, please contact your School Board and other elected representatives with your opinions and suggestions.

If you would like to make your opinion heard about this, write to your local newspaper, comment on the web sites of your favorite local broadcast station or comment HERE.

Thank you!

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