County approves purchase of 77-acre Kestrel parcel near Hygiene to expand contiguous open space

Boulder County commissioners voted Aug. 12 to acquire the 77-acre Kestrel property west of the Highway 66/70 Fifth Street intersection near Hygiene. County Parks and Open Space staff recommended purchase to secure agricultural land and improve connectivity with adjacent protected parcels.

Staff presentation: Aaron Clark, land officer, said the property consists of two parcels (about 77 acres total), includes two building rights and two shares in the Palmerton Ditch, and is listed at a proposed acquisition price of $3,500,000. Clark showed maps demonstrating adjacency to last year’s Cottonwood acquisition, the St. Vrain quarter to the south and Rabbit Mountain to the north and noted agricultural and riparian values and potential Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat adjacent to the site.

Why it matters: Staff said the parcel would strengthen wildlife habitat and agricultural preservation in north‑central Boulder County and improve long‑term landscape connectivity. Clark recommended two closings: the western parcel at the end of the current year and the eastern parcel in early 2026.

Public comment and vote: No public speakers appeared in the room or online on this item. Commissioners asked staff funding questions; staff said the purchase would come from the open‑space sales tax. A commissioner moved approval and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will close on the western parcel in late 2025 and the eastern parcel in early 2026 and begin management planning and integration with adjacent open‑space holdings.

Sources: presentation at the Aug. 12 Boulder County Board of County Commissioners meeting and staff materials.