The Capital Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend support for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s proposed fee-title acquisition of the 87-acre Edwards Farm for $1,300,000.

Daphne Gervais, Director of Legislative Affairs with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, told the committee the purchase would expand the Lawn Haggler State Wildlife Area about five miles southwest of downtown Loveland in Larimer County and provide a buffer for wildlife habitat amid surrounding development. "The first is a fee title acquisition for an 87 acre property known as Edwards Farm," Gervais said.

Kim Rogers, real estate section manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and CPW staff described the property as irrigated hay meadows, wetland slough, riparian woodlands and other habitat that supports deer, elk, raptors and wetland birds. Chris Mettenbrink, assistant area wildlife manager, explained the wetland slough as "basically just a . . . depression, kinda like a spring . . . that's essentially what a wetland slough is." CPW said the Edwards family will retain the water rights.

Committee members asked whether agricultural uses such as haying would continue; CPW staff said they expect some form of agriculture to continue because the agency is not acquiring the water rights. Senator Pelton noted these irrigation-driven wetlands are common in northeast Colorado.

Senator Bullocka moved the committee recommendation. The clerk recorded the roll call: Senator Henriksen, Representative Lindsay, Senator Pelton, Representative Winter, Senator Mullica and the chair all voted in favor. The motion passed on a unanimous vote of 6 to 0.

The committee packet included concurrence letters from Senator Marchman, Representative Weinberg, Larimer County and the City of Loveland, and CPW indicated the property will be available for public uses such as hunting, wildlife viewing and outdoor education programs once acquired.