[{"_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",6575479,"mediaKeyId","3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0","parentId",3101079,"title","BOCC approves Little Ditch 1 & 2 activity envelopes, site plans and 10‑year vested right with conservation easement","audioSeconds",6240,"startMs",10797000,"endMs",17037000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0&start=10797&end=17037","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0/thumbnail_10797000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575479/Pitkin-County/Colorado/BOCC-approves-Little-Ditch-1-2-activity-envelopes-site-plans-and-10year-vested-right-with-conservation-easement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575479-d58a028b9965336d12e9d26025ec9ad2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032184&Signature=bp-1put8AWP9EHFg-rnu3ovXDaB3pYBK98hF-A2OcYi9KSUtCXogrPPuyMaEXAMv4tPmb4VdB3df2MgEUvNmEJZMzAVNpMoytiYxFpBMslYq00zJNUS0vbrVqYDY8IO7xuR2caoySlb1FU4wjGCX4kRP3hiEqN6m~oSj5kB73nzQ2plNmEcIUeLVyouvySUWF5N5we5Xvhnnn29EnHp-7DGU-jbkGO5LMJnpmE7sNLe7Lkx691crwrLRfqxLV~qbjYJCMdoc~ei8ScGK9mo2Yn3sCe1IGA4JWJCjzmJz~jIelB7DzZc2grUiQ4~5WN8X6QkKfLln942ZnF4qHCSU1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pitkin County","date","2025-04-23T22:44:37.82Z","article","Pitkin County commissioners on April 23 approved activity‑envelope and site‑plan requests for two Little Ditch parcels and granted the applicants a 10‑year vested real‑property right for the site‑specific development plans. The board’s action followed a public hearing that included county staff analysis, River District and open space referrals, and comments from nearby landowners.

The two parcels (Parcel 1 ~35.1 acres; Parcel 2 ~137 acres) had long‑standing approvals dating to the 2000s; historically the sites were authorized for residential floor area tied to transferable development rights (TDRs). County planning staff recommended approval of fresh activity envelopes and the site plans on the condition that the applicants record a conservation easement on approximately 75% of the land (the shaded hillside above the irrigation ditch) and that certain protections be in place for irrigated pasture and wildlife. The applicants also agreed to a five‑year prohibition on residential construction to demonstrate intent to retain agricultural uses and conserve habitat.

Applicant representatives described recent agricultural investments on the properties, including irrigation upgrades. Attorney Jocelyn and applicant representative Alan Richmond said the owners purchased the land to keep it open and to enhance agricultural productivity rather than to pursue immediate residential construction. The owners told the BOCC they had spent roughly $400,000 upgrading irrigation since acquiring the lands and that ponds, roads and other infrastructure associated with earlier approvals are already in place.

Commissioners and referral agencies discussed wildlife and timing for construction; Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recommended limiting heavy exterior construction during the winter wildlife season. The final conditions adopted by the BOCC require the applicants to: demonstrate they will preserve at least 85% of historically irrigated pasture (per county code) at time of building permit; record the agreed conservation easement covering upland habitat; meet county requirements for septic and utilities at building permit; and submit a construction‑management plan that addresses potential impacts to the Compass School access road, including a pre‑construction condition assessment and a requirement that the applicants restore any construction damage.

The board approved the proposal by motion and voice vote. Commissioners noted the conservation easement will become a permanent restriction on a large area of forested and sage‑covered hillside, providing a buffer between any residential development and US Forest Service lands upslope.

Why it matters: The decision conserves roughly three quarters of the combined property area, preserves agricultural operations and formally authorizes limited residential development entitlements to be exercised under conditions specified by the BOCC.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Regular Meeting (4th Wednesdays) - 04/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pitkin County commissioners approved activity envelopes and site plans for two Little Ditch parcels on April 23 and granted a 10‑year vested right, conditioned on a large conservation easement and protections for irrigated pasture and wildlife.","taxTitle","Pitkin County, Colorado","taxId",27807,"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},6575484,"Pitkin County commissioners approve $1 million for Shoshone permanency project",2274,968000,3242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0&start=968&end=3242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0/thumbnail_968000.jpg","/articles/6575484/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-commissioners-approve-1-million-for-Shoshone-permanency-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575484-f6a9c1399b3da429dadad0c65652db07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032184&Signature=HVRh~vY9fkNJPUAUqEyVojbo5Sp0wHyLuuxTvFWeM~TM8jVOxsY~EuajiJhHKsSYylFknjs2YbjDeM4aEs~5nDPkoKRJoLy2ZbZuAUeGEAp3XOf9k025BlcCfpnC7ORmKHHjacDrRlKTox~8UQmQM~hgHtJOjHG5Z1HmdFNMGwv9Oyt12LGTuWDi32UxPA68BDd3vyy2cRhd2ULOsjLVFBAjxvq6JHhNjBFDhRx7k6ytgnXF3w7S0b67Ocz7EN55bCt1sjGrGQSH9awT0kVfE3Tj12iwaNaj251RkIiPH2p1rjWvXrp1mMPkVxjXcEX1-179sEombpWvuYkEsUfO2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners on April 23 approved a resolution backing the Colorado River District’s Shoshone permanency project and authorized a $1,000,000 contribution from the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund. The board's vote followed presentations from Colorado River District staff, the county attorney’s office, and the Healthy Rivers and Streams Board, which recommended the allocation.

The Shoshone permanency project would change operations tied to water rights at the Shoshone hydroelectric facility to provide more “wet water” on the West Slope, a goal River District staff described as supporting irrigation, stream flows and regional water-balance objectives. Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District, and Peter Fleming, the River District’s general counsel, spoke to the board about the project and the district’s coalition of partners. \"We really appreciate the partnership that this resolution and potential contribution to the Shoshone permanency effort represents,\" Mueller said during the presentation.

County staff described the legal and fiscal framework for the contribution: the $1,000,000 would come from the Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund, a voter-approved fund. County attorney Ryan Neely told commissioners the county’s use of the fund for the project “falls squarely within the objectives” set when voters approved the fund in 2008. Lisa McDonald and Lisa Tasker of the county’s Healthy Rivers Board said the volunteer board unanimously recommended the $1,000,000 allocation.

Commissioners and River District staff also discussed protections for the Upper Roaring Fork and associated tributaries. Ryan Neely said the county and River District reached an agreement to participate in Water Court and related filings that the board was told are intended to protect local stream health while advancing the permanency project. Peter Fleming noted the legal process could include interaction with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and possible water-court proceedings.

The board approved the measure by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Greg (motion recorded in the meeting minutes) and a second from Commissioner Francie. The resolution’s final language will be updated to correct minor typographical items the River District and county counsel identified in the draft.

Why it matters: County staff and River District leaders framed the project as a regional, multi‑partner effort to retain more water on the West Slope and reduce pressure to dry up irrigated agriculture. County officials said the allocation is intended both to support the immediate Shoshone effort and to strengthen the county’s working relationship with the River District for future water-protection projects.

What's next: County staff will finalize the resolution language and execute the necessary agreements to allow the county’s financial participation. River District staff said further state and water-court processes remain ahead if the project advances.","Pitkin County’s Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution supporting the Colorado River District’s Shoshone permanency project and authorized a $1,000,000 contribution from the county’s Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund, following presentations from River District staff and the county’s Healthy Rivers board.",{"_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},6575475,"BOCC approves $1 million from new property‑tax housing fund for Good Deeds program",1669,4178000,5847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0&start=4178&end=5847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3101079-e043f18bef0798ac5426dfdbe48f38c0/thumbnail_4178000.jpg","/articles/6575475/Pitkin-County/Colorado/BOCC-approves-1-million-from-new-propertytax-housing-fund-for-Good-Deeds-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575475-37257a2cf98319aa783df6de77663e1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771032184&Signature=X1QN1mFzZGnxfy0mBkCsitWXH7naRtOE~Rib5fe4n7COnBoswAh~z4y5etW91gPbtXMXFXvhnBZzfLrO4Icx1rMNX-kOpipVNFQehrUTh4sRCxICvd4Bh4ki4IOU87ivtL6EhzIbRDnmfA8o92g7mT1wbwuqyP8IugDK53Wd3Qo2aMEAwSmsvg0K4nwS2iwHR71dOvui7FPUJ0ZViIzO~60B3HWNCX0BxaIR6xWacq2SPwpcyY1r78MvAjlR51K67Lmsm0MFfriGwMuHwakjbs5bgvnIFip~fcTEQzGc64JZECTEvT-VatdEO4t6L9X4y7l6cjFc7cUSyrnHNVtKSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County commissioners voted April 23 to approve a resolution authorizing a $1,000,000 grant from the county’s recently enacted property‑tax housing revenue to the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition for the coalition’s Good Deeds program.

County housing staff and coalition executive director April Long explained the program to the board: Good Deeds buys down the price of market homes for qualifying local workers and records a permanent deed restriction that limits the resale price to keep the home permanently affordable to local earners. Coalition staff said the program is development‑neutral (it uses existing housing stock) and has moved nine homes into long‑term affordability in the last seven months using previous funding.

Coalition director April Long said a $1,000,000 investment would likely preserve an estimated three to five additional homes under the program and might house four to eight local workers. Staff noted program rules require local employment and continued local residency. Commissioners discussed the program’s design, resale formulas (a 3% annual cap tied to the deed restriction, currently allowed in similar county programs), match opportunities and possible future budget asks. Commissioner Greg moved approval; Commissioner Francie seconded. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The grant is an early use of the county’s new housing property‑tax revenue and is intended to provide immediate, permanent affordable homeownership opportunities for local workers rather than waiting for new construction. Staff said the coalition could spend the funds quickly — possibly by July — and that the county has budget direction to consider additional allocations in 2026.

What's next: Staff and coalition leaders will finalize the grant agreement and return for required second reading; coalition staff said they will also explore match opportunities (local and private) to leverage county funds.","The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners approved a $1,000,000 grant to the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition to expand the Good Deeds permanently‑affordable homeownership program, using the county’s newly enacted property‑tax housing revenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BOCC approves Little Ditch 1 & 2 activity envelopes, site plans and 10‑year vested right with conservation easement

Pitkin County commissioners approve $1 million for Shoshone permanency project

BOCC approves $1 million from new property‑tax housing fund for Good Deeds program