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Capital Development Committee backs land exchange between Buena Vista and Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to recommend a fee‑title exchange in Chaffee County that would give Colorado Parks and Wildlife a parcel the agency intends to manage as a state wildlife area for hunter access; the swap was presented as cost‑neutral.
The Capital Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend support for a fee‑title exchange between the town of Buena Vista and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) that would transfer a parcel known as the Buena Vista "Hog" property to CPW and convey the town’s "hay barn" property in return.
Daphne Gervais, director of legislative affairs at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, told the committee the proposal is "a unique proposal." She said the two parcels and associated water rights have been appraised at nearly identical values and that the transaction was initiated by the town of Buena Vista.
The exchange was presented as cost neutral and described as one that would allow CPW to manage the Hog property "as a state wildlife area for hunter access," a goal Gervais said is supported by the town of Buena Vista and Chaffee County as well as Speaker McCleskey and Senator Bazely. Kim Rogers, real estate section manager for CPW, and Sean Shepherd, CPW area wildlife manager, joined Gervais in presenting the proposal.
Senator Malika moved that the committee recommend support for the fee‑title exchange receiving the Hog property in exchange for the Hay Barn property, noting acreage in the motion. The roll call recorded the following votes in favor: Henriksen (yes), Representative Lindsey (yes), Senator Pelton R. (aye), Representative Winter (yes), Senator Malika (yes) and the committee chair (recorded as "Madam Chair") (yes). The motion passed unanimously.
The presenters said the parcels and associated water rights were appraised at nearly identical values and that CPW seeks the Hog parcel for public wildlife management and hunter access. The transaction was described as initiated by the town of Buena Vista; presenters did not specify any new state appropriations or other funding required to complete the swap.
No formal opposition or requested amendments were recorded during the committee discussion. Committee staff recorded the unanimous recommendation; the transcript does not specify the next administrative steps or which body will complete the land‑transfer paperwork.
The committee record shows the item was introduced as a property transaction from the Department of Natural Resources and presented by department and CPW staff; the committee voted to recommend the exchange without further amendment.
