The Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County met in special session
with the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee in full conformity with the law
and resolution of said Board at Nederland High School, Nederland Colorado, on
Monday, June 3, 2002.
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:05 p.m. by Chair Mendez
with the following present:
Jana L. Mendez, Chair
Paul Danish, Vice Chair
Ronald K. Stewart, Commissioner
David Robertson, POSAC Member
Barbara Hawke, POSAC Member
Carol Walker, POSAC Member
Eric Vogelsberg, POSAC Member
Jim McKey, POSAC Member
Joan Ray, POSAC Member
Boulder County Commissioners and Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee:
Public Meeting to discuss the development of a Management Plan for Caribou
Open Space (7:05 - 8:35) Recorded on portable DAT Tape No. 1/ special
session.
Notice was published in the newspaper of record in accordance with the
statutory or regulatory requirements pertaining to this matter.
Presenter: Dave Hallock, Parks and Open Space
Slide show and verbal presentation
Speakers:
Suzanne Webel, Longmont, representing Boulder County Horseman’s
Association
Mentioned the number of pages in the Resource Evaluation and the fact
that there are only seven pages of cultural resources and half page for
public use potential. Was concerned that there was no map depicting the
total acreage of the ranch, cultural resources or showing the
Switzerland Trail.
She showed a map of the area, including the Switzerland Trail. She
emphasized that there is no way to travel from Nederland to points north
without crossing Caribou Ranch. She advocated for opening the
Switzerland Trail to hikers and horseback riders, saying that riding
along the Peak-to-Peak Highway was unsafe.
She reviewed some of the ecological studies done for the County on
Caribou Ranch and felt that the environmental concerns did not warrant
restricting recreational use. She said that the Boulder County Horseman’s
Association and the Round-up Riders wanted to work with the County to
make the Switzerland Trail a trail.
Carolanne Fisher, Nederland
Lives on the southern boundary of Caribou Ranch. Driveway goes into
CR 109J, which is the Switzerland Trail. Concerned that enticing people
to the Switzerland Trail will compromise her privacy and safety.
Requested that the County consider putting parking back on CR 126 and
having a trail corridor from there to get to the Delonde Gate entrance,
instead of using CR 109J.
Sheila Ranegar, Nederland
Horses have been part of this area for many years. The Van Fleet
Ranch raised Arabian horses. Would like access on the Switzerland Trail
to the north.
Sandy Hancock, Lives between Ward and Allens Park
Most of her points have been made by Susan and Sheila. Wants horse
access on the Switzerland Trail.
Mark Pscheid, Nederland
Would like limited recreation to protect the wildlife.
Bill Ikler, Nederland, representing Indian Peaks Sierra Club
Sees Caribou as a part of a larger wildlife system. Would like to see
the following as part of the management plan:
a. Level of restriction should be above that of a wilderness area,
but not as restricted as the City of Boulder Watershed.
b. Large portions of the property should be "off limits"
to humans
c. Dogs should be prohibited.
d. Horses should be allowed because they are part of the historic
use of the property.
e. Recreational use should be phased in gradually.
f. The waterfall is an attractive nuisance. Should consider one
trail to the falls.
g. There should be seasonal restrictions for protection of wildlife
calving and breeding.
h. Recreation should be constrained to existing trails and roads.
Joan Couse, Boulder County Horseman’s Association
Reported that horses do not contaminate water with Cryptosporidium
or Giardia. Supported horse access on entire length of
Switzerland Trail.
Joan Clifford, Sugarloaf
Has rode horsed on Caribou Ranch in the past. Wants horse access
allowed on the property, and something long distance like the
Switzerland Trail. Reported that goshawks are not bothered by people in
her area of Sugarloaf
Roy Young, Nederland
Has lived at 126 Crestwood Court for 26 years. Thanked the Guercios
and the County for protecting the land. Came to the meeting expecting to
ask for mountain bike trails; however after seeing the presentation he
felt that fragmentation of the habitat doesn’t work. Felt there is
much recreation around this area. Less intrusive is the way to maintain
high quality habitat. Wildlife is being pushed into smaller pieces of
land.
Candy, Left Hand Canyon
She is a horse person. Has ridden extensively in area and is amazed
at how few horseback riders there are. Supports horse use on the ranch
and the Switzerland Trail.
Hildy Armour, Jamestown
She is involved with Boulder County Horseman’s Association and
Joder Arabian Ranch. She endorses maintaining the Switzerland Trail for
trail access.
Cathy Greenwald, Nederland (CR. 126)
Would like it treated in terms of having a manager on duty at all
times. Opening this area could have an impact on fishery. Would
recommend fly-fishing only.
Linda Hurth, Nederland
Has watched horse trails disappear over the years. Would like to see
Caribou open to the public. Feels that children need to be able to
experience the ranch in order to become the future stewards of the land.
Jill Dreeves, Nederland
Has lived in northern Colorado for 33 years. Praised the Guercios for
preserving the land. Fortunate to have sites to recreate and teach
children. Need to have careful decision making.
Lauri Meyers, Nederland
She is a horse person. Trails are disappearing due to so many homes
being built in the mountains. She does a lot of riding in Grand County
and everyone seems to get along.
Gordon Moore, Colorado Wildlife Division
He and the Division of Wildlife are not opposed to public access. His
concern is with the development and proliferation of social trails. He
spoke for the protection of biologically sensitive areas and said that
by opening the ranch to the public may increase the problem of wildlife
poaching in the area.
Sue Keeting, Sugarloaf Road
She was a member of both Boulder County Horseman’s Association and
the Sierra Club. She hoped the County and others can work together to
provide access to the ranch for equestrians and pedestrians.
There was a question and answer session after public comment. Commissioner
Steward thanked Dave Hallock for his presentation.
QUESTIONS:
Will there be winter access, seeing as how much of the concerns with
disruption of wildlife are moot during the winter months? (Dave Felkley,
Nederland)
Dave: Winter access is being considered.
What’s next?
Dave: We hope to have a draft management plan prepared by August 1, 2002 in
time for review by POSAC at their August 22 meeting. It could then go to the
commissioners for their consideration in September.
Is there a possibility to tour the property? (Bill Ikler, Nederland)
Dave: This is not contemplated
Will letters regarding this issue still be accepted?
Dave: Yes, through the end of June.
What is Dave’s e-mail address?
Dave: (twice) DHHPA@co.boulder.co.us
Since this was a public meeting for discussion only, no decisions were
made.
This meeting was adjourned by the Commissioners at approximately 8:35 p.m.
_______________________________
Clerk to the Board
