On Jan. 26, El Paso County Magistrate Robin Chittum ordered Larry Bishop, manager of the Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District, to pay legal fees for Woodmen Hills resident Ron Pace in the amount of $2,948.75.The full amount is levied against Bishop and not WHMD. In the defendant’s response to Pace’s Bill of Costs, WHMD attorneys argued that the district is exempt from liability because it is a quasi-municipal corporation and subdivision of the state. Colorado law C.R.C.P. 354(d) states there must be an express legislative provision for the costs.Pace’s Bill of Costs stems from his defense against WHMD’s restraining order prohibiting Pace to enter district facilities. Chittum dismissed WHMD’s civil protection order against Pace in November 2009.Court documents show that Pace did not seek compensation for attorney fees. The costs totaling $2,948.75 include mileage payments and service fees for himself and subpoenaed witnesses, court filing fees and hotel accommodations for witness interviews and trial preparation.
