Boulder County approves $1.65 million purchase of Bearberry property near Gross Reservoir

The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners on March 11 voted to authorize the purchase of the Bearberry property — about 80 acres in Coal Creek Canyon — for $1,650,000 using funds from the 2021 Gross Reservoir settlement.

County staff said the property includes roughly 60 acres inside Boulder County and about 20 acres in Gilpin County, and that the landowner requires sale of the entire parcel. Aaron Clark, a land officer with Parks and Open Space’s real estate division, told commissioners the purchase would include three building rights and two existing residences and described the site as largely forested and valuable wildlife habitat. “Staff supports this acquisition,” Clark said during the public hearing.

The purchase was recommended by the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC), which voted 6-0 at its Feb. 27 meeting to advance the acquisition. Staff told the board that title documents show mineral rights were severed in 1952 but that U.S. Geological Survey and state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety data show no historical mining activity on the property.

Co…