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Open Lands, Rivers and Trails advisory committee recommends funding Grand County Vail Ditch shares and multiple wildfire/trail projects; commissioners approve,
Summary
The OLRT advisory committee’s spring 2025 funding recommendations were approved by the Grand County commissioners, including $409,500 to buy 58.5 shares of the Vail Ditch and $61,360 to pay for connector trails for Fraser’s proposed bike skills project; several wildfire and trail projects also received funding while certain habitat‑sensitive trail components were declined.
The county’s Open Lands, Rivers and Trails (OLRT) advisory committee delivered recommendations from the spring 2025 grant cycle; the commissioners approved the advisory committee’s recommendations with one directed modification. The board unanimously approved full funding of the Grand County request to acquire 58.5 shares in the Grand County Mutual Ditch (the “Vail Ditch shares”) to allow county control and flexible use in split‑season or substitute water supply programs; the requested amount was $409,500 and the advisory committee rated the application 90.8/100 and recommended full funding. The advisory committee also recommended funding multiple wildfire mitigation and trail projects: Grand County Wildfire Council chipping programs ($36,000), Grand River Canyon/Fraser River Canyon fuels project ($200,000, match for a larger grant), Headwaters Trails Alliance equipment and grooming purchases (combined recommended funding $53,802), and strategic cost‑share mitigation reimbursements ($45,000). The committee declined to fund a UCWET river restoration application because it lacked attachments and clear partner funding; it also recommended against full funding of a Winter Park boardwalk through wetland habitat (concern about wetland impacts) and the town of Fraser’s full bike‑skills park request, but commissioners agreed to a partial adjustment: they voted to approve OLRT funding of the Fraser external connector trails at the amount itemized in the application ($61,360) and to adopt the committee’s remaining recommendations. The board authorized the chair to sign all applicable MOUs and directed staff to finalize agreements and MOU language.
