Commissioners approve Land and Water Trust Fund MOU amendment to reallocate $50,000 to Camp Alexander construction

Park County commissioners voted 3-0 Feb. 11 to approve an amendment to the Land and Water Trust Fund memorandum of understanding for Project 20-3-5, Camp Alexander — Pathway to the Rockies, reallocating $50,000 that had originally been approved for planning to allow for construction matching funds.

Commissioners said the county had reviewed the project in the morning administrative session with Liz Biggs, secretary to the Land and Water Trust Fund Board, and that the Land and Water Trust Fund board had discussed and unanimously supported the MOU amendment at its December meeting. "The board was all in agreement. They had a lengthy discussion... and they were all unanimous" in favor of the amendment, Liz Biggs said during the meeting.

Commissioner Mitchell told the board that construction-phase needs for the project total $489,480.25; the county’s $50,000 contribution via the amended MOU would be shown as local support to help the camp pursue additional grant funding. "Their goal is in 2025 they're gonna be out searching for money and providing grant applications, with the goal of working, completing this project or getting started on the project in 2026," Mitchell said.

The commissioners were told the planning consultant had donated time and materials, which freed the planning funds for reallocation to on-the-ground construction costs estimated in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. The board recorded no dissent and approved the amendment on a 3-0 voice vote.

The amendment applies to a Boy Scout camp project and is intended to serve as matching funds for additional grants; commissioners and Land and Water Trust Fund representatives encouraged the camp to continue applying for other funding sources. The meeting record does not list specific additional grants or grantors the camp will pursue.