Rainbow Trail camp gives county update on Forest Service land-exchange, public comment expected in November

CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. — Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp gave the Custer County Board of County Commissioners an update Wednesday on a proposed land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service and a conservation easement that would place camp property under county jurisdiction once the exchange completes.

The camp’s executive director said appraisals of both parcels are complete, monuments marking the proposed parcel corners have been set, and a baseline documentation report for the conservation easement is nearly finished. The camp and county were told the Forest Service’s public comment period will likely open around mid-November; staff told commissioners they anticipate the exchange and transfer into county jurisdiction in 2026, with some Forest Service actions possibly trailing to the end of that year.

Why it matters: The exchange would shift the camp’s land from Forest Service ownership into county-managed property and place development restrictions into a conservation easement intended to protect forested areas and neighboring properties. The camp said it plans to remain essentially the same size and that the move is intended to clarify management and to allow the organization to operate as county property rather than Forest Service land.

Key details reported to the board - Acreage and appraisal: The camp reported that equalization of value reduced the acreage the camp expects to receive to about 94.3 acres (down from an earlier estimate near 100 acres) to achieve equal value between the parcels. The Forest Service has marked proposed parcel monuments for the exchange.

- Conservation easement and baseline documentation: The camp has nearly completed the baseline documentation required for a conservation easement and said it is working with Palmer Land Conservancy (Colorado Springs) to draft the easement. The baseline report describes existing site conditions and is a required attachment for the easement.

- Timeline and public comment: The camp expects the Forest Service to publish the public-comment period around mid-November 2025. The camp estimated most of the on‑site work will be finished by mid-2026; final administrative items may extend later into the year. The camp said Fremont County commissioners have already signaled support and that camp staff have discussed the exchange with the Forest Service.

- Site master plan and next steps: The camp reported it completed a new site master plan that shows building footprints and site utilities within Custer County zoning; camp officials asked to begin preliminary meetings with the county planner to discuss zoning, septic systems and other preparatory items so the transition is smoother once the exchange closes.

Board and public interaction - Commissioners asked technical questions about parcel boundaries and whether a small portion currently touches Fremont County; camp staff confirmed most parcels would remain in Custer County while some boundary irregularities run along the Fremont border.

- The camp invited commissioners and residents to the camp’s Thanksgiving event and said the site typically hosts about 130 people for that gathering.

Next steps - The county may receive questions from the public during the Forest Service comment period expected in mid-November. Camp staff said they will provide more detailed materials to the Forest Service and asked county staff to begin informal coordination with the county planner while the administrative exchange work continues.

Ending note - Camp staff said the objective of the exchange is to secure a stable conservation easement and a smoother management relationship as the camp transitions from Forest Service land to county property; the camp said it does not plan to expand the site beyond its current footprint.