Boulder County commissioners on June 10 approved staff’s recommendation to acquire about 20 acres of vacant land between Gunbarrel and Niwot, a parcel staff said connects existing public open space and contains designated prairie habitat.

Tina Burkhardt, land officer for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, told the board the Range View parcel is owned by Tennis Center of the Rockies LLC and that staff proposes buying the roughly 20-acre parcel for $1,800,000 using open-space sales tax dollars. The purchase price includes one development right and one left-hand water tap, she said. Burkhardt said staff will complete a Phase I environmental site assessment before closing.

The nut graf: Staff and members of the public argued the acquisition would protect one of the last intact prairie grasslands in the area, connect county and city open-space holdings and protect habitat for species of special concern. The Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended the purchase 6–2; the two votes against cited concerns about acquisition prioritization and potential effects on county funding for other purchases.

Burkhardt showed maps indicating the parcel sits within the White Rocks/Gunbarrel Hill Environmental Conservation Area and adjacent to areas designated by the city of Boulder as a prairie-dog conservation area and by the county as a grassland preserve that supports grasshopper sparrow, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk and golden eagle. She said the county’s wildlife group recommended closing the property to the public to protect nesting and wintering raptors and preserve grassland features.

Public commenters included Joyce Fraley, an officer of Preserve Rural Gunbarrel (a local 501(c)(3)), who said their group collected more than 3,300 signatures opposing a proposed special-use review and urged preservation to protect burrowing owls and other prairie species. Mary Eldred, a Gunbarrel resident and volunteer coordinator, urged approval and suggested volunteer-based restoration activities such as prairie-seed collection and reseeding after acquisition. A virtual commenter, Anne Winnaugle, said she strongly supported the purchase.

Commissioners discussed procedural questions about the draft purchase agreement, including a concern raised by a commissioner who is a licensed real estate agent about how that would be disclosed before signing. Janice Wissman, real estate division manager, told commissioners staff and county attorneys would clarify whether the commissioner's license requires disclosure and would resolve the matter prior to asking a commissioner to sign closing documents.

A motion to acquire the parcel from Tennis Center of the Rockies LLC for $1,800,000 with any associated water rights was made and seconded; the chair recorded "All in favor. Aye. Aye." Staff said the county will manage the parcel as open space and address restoration and access in keeping with wildlife-protection recommendations.

Ending: Staff will complete required pre-closing steps, including the Phase I environmental assessment and legal review of closing documents, before returning with final contract signatures.