[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6670775,"mediaKeyId","2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f","parentId",2171993,"title","Residents raise wildfire, safety and plan‑compliance concerns over proposed 'primitive' camping at Sandstone Ranch","audioSeconds",1955,"startMs",3253000,"endMs",5208000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f&start=3253&end=5208","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f/thumbnail_3253000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6670775/Douglas-County/Colorado/Residents-raise-wildfire-safety-and-plancompliance-concerns-over-proposed-primitive-camping-at-Sandstone-Ranch","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670775-dce8e4fa8cb53cd4c826e6eb1523190b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770350658&Signature=fDUfEQ8v6O1ZCgE3HwcbOHR4pMbHIpHccOG3gRRypyNmO8agMBMVWJDNWKQXEcDgrnenoNM6b5ERzsG0v1wcCTWBjq1bmRjSRkuIxprh-1hgjCJbEagQ8tMBwfltixe6YaS-Y9F6cGo6foghbnN-okEzAW3yfAhUEaj1j5Ipa7ZvavvqKnBsEzwcWT6FVSR5koEATVJxoaHv1LX6pYaFEUljy~FkNXWqqY-Sw02w~H5HCZnFQNnljSa~oDeMrqPnv2d3o3M5exaWq01e0I9XRJ0RhF~ZAfnLNsmzhoTScjRjHlovCUFIfPOR9uDXj7qKgvHgAPz44CpR-6B9A3GHMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County","date","2025-01-29T05:20:00.71Z","article","Several Douglas County residents used the public‑comment period at the Jan. 28, 2025 Board of County Commissioners meeting to urge the board to reconsider a proposal to allow minimalist (\"primitive\") camping at Sandstone Ranch open space.

Residents raised wildfire and emergency‑response concerns, disputed whether primitive camping is consistent with the 2020 Sandstone Ranch master plan and asked for greater transparency about outreach and site selection. \"People don't follow rules all the time,\" said Gary Wood of Perry Park, referencing the 2002 Hayman wildfire and warning that camping increases the risk of new ignitions. Wood asked whether the county had budgeted year‑round supervision and whether a dedicated disaster relief fund for nearby residents had been considered.

Ed Chambers, whose property borders Sandstone Ranch, asked detailed operational questions about the proposal: how many people requested camping, whether an online reservation system and fees would be used, whether firearms would be allowed, whether portable toilets and curfews would be provided, and how emergency response time to remote sites would be managed. \"There are rattlesnake signs right there where you put the campsites,\" Chambers said, and he noted the extra distance emergency responders would need to travel to reach the proposed sites.

Several speakers argued the proposal conflicts with the park’s adopted 2020 master plan. Patricia Oker Smemczyk cited the plan’s recreation objectives and the results of the public survey that informed it, saying primitive camping was not included among the public‑supported uses and therefore would be out of step with the master plan. Kim Greer, a longtime Larkspur area resident and former volunteer firefighter, said conservation‑easement language would likely require legal review and might prevent the type of disturbance camping requires; she also raised concerns about bears and wildlife and the lack of installed bear boxes in a minimalist approach.

Board members responded that the initiative is in the early stages. Commissioner Teal said staff will ‘‘listen’’ and that no final decisions were imminent; he asked citizens to submit comments by email to the board. A commissioner asked staff to document the phrasing \"leave no trace camping\" as a framing option for the proposal; \"Can I please have a member of staff please write down leave no trace camping?\" the commissioner asked during the discussion. Commissioners and staff emphasized the need for more study, public input and coordination with fire and emergency partners before any trial or implementation.

No vote or formal action on camping at Sandstone Ranch was taken at the meeting; the board indicated it would continue public engagement before advancing any pilot or policy change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Douglas County Commissioners - January 28, 2025, Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Residents near Sandstone Ranch told commissioners they oppose a proposal to allow minimalist/primitive camping at the county open space, citing wildfire risk, wildlife conflicts, master‑plan incompatibility and insufficient public outreach.","taxTitle","Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",4194,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670779,"Douglas County commissioners approve school site conveyance, water master plan contract, AdventHealth grant and traffic code amendment; consent agenda passed",3231,704000,3935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f&start=704&end=3935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f/thumbnail_704000.jpg","/articles/6670779/Douglas-County/Colorado/Douglas-County-commissioners-approve-school-site-conveyance-water-master-plan-contract-AdventHealth-grant-and-traffic-code-amendment-consent-agenda-passed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670779-3164475353a95f86b94b9ca7dc440f0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770350658&Signature=fRIVvT7N7fME0-muHgL7zXisiqmR9GEbXD3GvUpG5Ax9LIrNyG88levP1FNC93QFx~EVGgASViYgepmmTD4MlvsH5~ePAEW0GtyVE678fvxheCFbei4i2bVkvesqg1ZqEaQOjGLTF3e9yajv1tbQeB4ZqBncByc8HuPhzhuc1vevfTlg9qs5RhVhqLzlpLkn8nTBFQIXXaHVnMNgQZdRXpyXjcV4dToLmjcQWx5Xsl6VkxEYO6t9Bk3MGKp3dYiI82OlYSqMvj9kCHVIhacUziLE5gcGTeCBa6v1Z9cxAPKzk-ZcnzP2POl0pNDv4xrYIb7jzKL3WoI23GUT9Aoytg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners took several formal actions at its Jan. 28, 2025 business meeting, approving a consent agenda and multiple contracts, a property conveyance to the school district, and an amendment to the county traffic code.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (Items A–M): Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0.
- Quick claim deed conveying a 12.51‑acre Sterling Ranch Filing 1 tract to the Douglas County School District (Project file MI‑2025‑002): Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0. The site is intended for a pre‑K through 6 elementary school projected to open in the 2027–2028 school year.
- Public contract with TransAero Ltd. for exclusive‑use helicopter services (Office of Emergency Management): Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0. Purchase order and budget line item approved at $1,530,000; contract includes 168 guaranteed days of exclusive use plus modified availability.
- Public contract for services with Forsgren Associates Incorporated to develop a Douglas County water master plan: Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0. Contract not to exceed $578,360; projected timeline about two years.
- Beneficiary agreement with AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Foundation: Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0. County contribution $1,000,000 from accrued interest on the county’s ARPA allocation to support purchase and installation of a Vision RT radiation therapy system at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital; county funds intended to catalyze an additional $1,000,000 in private matching funds toward a $14,000,000 project.
- Amendment of Exhibit B (parking restricted areas) to the Douglas County Model Traffic Code (Ordinance 024‑003): Approved by voice vote; motion carried 3–0. Amendment adds private properties and park areas to allow county traffic‑infraction enforcement (penalty assessment for certain prohibited parking) rather than a petty criminal charge requiring court.

Each item was presented by county staff and discussed briefly; motions and seconds were made during the meeting and each matter passed unanimously by the three commissioners present.","The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners approved a consent agenda and multiple regular‑agenda items on Jan. 28, 2025, including conveyance of a 12.51‑acre school site, several consulting and service contracts, and an amendment to the county traffic code.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670784,"Douglas County OKs $1.53 million helitack contract to extend year‑round helicopter wildfire support",1316,1329000,2645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f&start=1329&end=2645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171993-10176d856306fb9e0feab44074d3329f/thumbnail_1329000.jpg","/articles/6670784/Douglas-County/Colorado/Douglas-County-OKs-153-million-helitack-contract-to-extend-yearround-helicopter-wildfire-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670784-43b1c511050860d079d92b691c13f464/orig.mp4?Expires=1770350658&Signature=DCCfn5TPt0FHLXL0RorTwBeDUNjMW1RWl2M54wujxeu9favwUd1qrlBIOJcDcxztUTs4ziUqu6ag0SGeSbVQ1e6yFQx4AwehuTD1x~3gqYPfJ9AU2ZZ391Gtknt24xYVZ4J56OAZhftQ1ABqOeaR-u29wmCC2eM2EZ5BdWAAWGkTlw0uTOL3gab51W9hSH4zL9aKO-FGL2TBZCLVinyJSKb2NIQ-ZhPnxB~yAMy4KFc~L33B-ZOBdezCtOymD3ctRLYkf30w-n8hXv4ETYzNx~wTxb69R4JICk~NQqHAF48OuTwcrwWqVtnm-jNTYucac~3Y-gc~sEzEZB73YDyJlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners approved a $1,530,000 public contract with TransAero Ltd. to renew exclusive‑use helicopter wildfire support and add modified availability to extend aviation coverage into off‑season months.

The contract, presented by Mike Alexander, director of emergency management, guarantees 168 days of exclusive use and includes an option for the vendor to be on short notice during months when the helicopter would historically be off contract. \"Douglas County helitack is a 1 of a kind service that we provide here, funded by you all, Board of County Commissioners, to the citizens of Douglas County,\" Alexander told the board during his presentation.

The county provides a wildland fire crew trained to operate with the aviation resource; TransAero supplies the helicopter, pilot, mechanic, fuel truck driver and vehicles. Alexander said the combined approach—\"Aviation suppresses, firefighters extinguish\"—is designed to \"respond hard, heavy, and fast\" to fires inside the county and to assist neighboring jurisdictions when reimbursable calls arise.

County staff presented 2024 operational statistics: 103 total aviation missions, 32 missions responding to wildfires (22 in Douglas County and 10 out of county that were reimbursed), 652 water drops and 92 hours of direct air suppression. Alexander said the county typically can be airborne within 10 minutes of notification and that the contracted availability requirement is nine hours per day when on exclusive use.

Alexander described a financial benefit tied to out‑of‑county missions: planned availability costs are passed to outside incidents when the helicopter is deployed elsewhere, which offsets local budget needs. He told commissioners the county spent about $75,000 on unplanned in‑county wildfire responses in 2024 and that reimbursements and cost transfers produced net savings the county could apply to future budgets.

Commissioners praised the program as a mitigation tool for wildfire risk and for protecting economic investment in the county. Commissioner Teal said Douglas County is unique in the state for offering a locally managed helitack service and that the program’s performance helped during the prior summer’s fires. The board voted unanimously to approve the contract extension and amendment.

Action on the contract passed by voice vote.

The contract will be administered by the Office of Emergency Management; the contract period and any further amendments will be handled under the county’s procurement rules.","The Board of County Commissioners approved a $1,530,000 contract renewal and amendment with TransAero Ltd. to continue exclusive-use helicopter wildfire support and expand availability into off‑season months; county officials said the program helped suppress dozens of fires in 2024 and reduces risk to homes and businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise wildfire, safety and plan‑compliance concerns over proposed 'primitive' camping at Sandstone Ranch

Douglas County commissioners approve school site conveyance, water master plan contract, AdventHealth grant and traffic code amendment; consent agenda passed

Douglas County OKs $1.53 million helitack contract to extend year‑round helicopter wildfire support