Greeley board approves one-year hunting license for Lowell property amid member concerns about trail proximity and liability

The Greeley Water and Sewer Board approved a one-year hunting license for the Lowell property on Sept. 17, authorizing a waterfowl hunting license that allows lessees to install and remove a blind on roughly 55 acres for the season from Oct. 1 through March 31. The fee is $150, and the board delegated authority to the director of Water & Sewer to renew the agreement in future years if its material substance remains unchanged.

Morgan, who presented the license agreement, said the city acquired the property in 2021 with several parcels totaling 135 acres and shares in the Greeley Irrigation Company; the hunting parcel is about 55 acres and has been used by the same group of hunters for more than a decade. “This allows the lessees to install and remove a blind for waterfowl hunting without disturbing the grazing operations on the farm,” Morgan said. The agreement includes an indemnification, a release and waiver of liability; presenters said each individual hunter is required to sign a waiver and the staff will verify insurance obligations.

Concerns centered on public safety and trail proximity. Board member Otis said he had been out on the Larson Trail and “I felt like I was about to be picked off,” and stated, “I intend to vote no.” Other members noted that the Larson Trail runs along the east perimeter of the property, a manufactured-home park lies to the east and housing is to the south. Staff said they were not aware of formal complaints and that the hunters have engaged with the sheriff’s office before seasons in the past.

When asked about liability insurance, staff said the agreement contains comprehensive indemnification and individual waivers; staff will verify whether the agreement requires evidence of liability insurance or whether they must rely on individual personal insurance. Dan (legal counsel) said each individual hunter must execute a separate release and waiver; further confirmation on proof of insurance was to be provided after the meeting.

The board took the matter by show-of-hands. The clerk reported “it looks like we have a 5 5 2 vote”; the transcript records that tally but does not provide a roll-call list of which members voted each way. After the vote the board continued discussion about future uses of the parcel, noting the city plans a future public infrastructure and maintenance campus at or near the property and that hunting may not be available in future years.

What’s next: the one-year license covers Oct. 1–March 31; each hunter must sign a waiver and staff will follow up to confirm insurance requirements and to coordinate neighborhood outreach regarding the property’s future planning.