Judge issues Order of Reversal relating to Tipi Retreat

Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Bill Simpson signed an Order of Reversal regarding a Petition of Review of Agency Action filed by Martin G. Oravec, Jr. and Gary A. Frazier contesting a decision by the Board of County Commissioners, dated April 1, 2025, relating to the approval of a land use application filed by The Tipi Retreat, LLC.

Judge Simpson ordered that the board’s decision reflected in its April 1, 2025, document, Findings of Fact Regarding Michael and Michele Stevens’ Application of a Land Use Change, be reversed.

This reinstates the court’s previous injunction preventing Tipi Retreat from renting tipis on the subject property on a commercial basis for the public, and the $40,250 fine remains in full force and effect. The exception continues to exist for a single tipi under the board’s rule related to short-term rentals.

The Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners public hearing on the matter was held on February 4, 2025. Commissioner Tom Ryan recused himself from the hearing based on his objection that the hearing was improper. Commissioners Bob Aguiar and Paul Galovich voted to allow the Tipi Retreat to operate, granted the application for a land use change from agricultural to commercial, and essentially nullified the $40,250 fine assessed by the court.

More details of the Order of Reversal will be included in next week’s Thermopolis Independent Record.