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School district presses county for land transfer at fairgrounds site for future K–8 campus
Summary
The school district returned to commissioners seeking a transfer or clearer IGA for roughly a 20‑acre parcel at the fairgrounds extension property for a planned preK–8 campus over a 15–20 year buildout, and asked for deed restrictions to prevent housing development on the parcel.
School district representatives presented to the Board of County Commissioners about a potential school site on county‑owned fairgrounds extension property near Poncha Springs.
The district said planning documents and its facility plan identify roughly 20 acres (out of a larger parcel the county owns) as an appropriate footprint for a future Pre‑K–8 campus and related recreation, though the district said it is open to adjusting the footprint and phasing. District representatives said the timeframe for build‑out could span as much as 20 years and that the district prefers not to pay for the land; they asked the county to convey the parcel or put a secure IGA in place.
Commissioners and district staff discussed key constraints and conditions to preserve county priorities: irrigation and productive farmland in the property’s northwest corner, water and ditch infrastructure, and the need to restrict future residential or non‑educational uses on any conveyed parcel. County and district leaders discussed a possible deed restriction or covenants that would convey land for educational purposes and explicitly preclude housing. The district said they are willing to work with the town of Poncha Springs on shared recreation fields so the district does not duplicate recreational facilities.
Commissioners asked staff to return redlined contract language and suggested a time‑limited approach that would transfer land when the district's need and funding are firm. County staff and the district agreed to keep negotiating a parcel that minimizes impacts to productive irrigated land and preserves water infrastructure. The board requested a draft contract or IGA be submitted and redlined by county counsel for follow‑up. No final conveyance or binding agreement was approved at the meeting.
