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Commissioners sign letter of support for Colorado Mountain Bike Association study of Beaverbrook watershed
Summary
The board voted to sign a letter supporting a Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) Parks & Wildlife nonmotorized trails planning grant for the Beaverbrook watershed. County staff said the study would help manage heavy recreational use and its impacts on roads, water and wildlife.
The Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners voted Sept. 16 to sign a letter supporting a Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) grant application to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for planning and unmotorized trail work in the Beaverbrook Watershed.
Colton (staff member) told the board the area near the Upper Beaver Brook Reservoir is heavily used by mountain bikers and other recreationists, and that much trail activity is on "pirate" or informal routes. He disclosed he lives on Beaverbrook Canyon Road and described traffic counts showing substantial increases when watershed access is open. "This allows us to really formalize that conversation," Colton said, arguing a formal study would examine parking, infrastructure, wildlife impacts and potential long‑term management options.
Commissioners asked questions about whether the project aimed to designate or close trails; staff and COMBA representatives indicated the project is focused on study, safety and trail hardening rather than wholesale closures. The board discussed the need to ensure any management plan did not place unfunded costs on county taxpayers and to include Lookout Mountain Water Authority and U.S. Forest Service as stakeholders.
The board approved the letter of support by unanimous voice vote. The measure does not obligate county funds; it signals county participation as a stakeholder in the planning process.
Why it matters: The Beaverbrook area draws substantial weekend and event traffic and sits next to drinking‑water infrastructure owned by a private water authority. A planning study could shape whether informal trails are formalized, improved for safety, or otherwise managed to reduce impacts on roads, emergency services and water resources.
Next steps: County staff will send the signed letter to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and COMBA; the study, if funded, would include stakeholders such as Lookout Mountain Water Authority, U.S. Forest Service and local emergency providers.
Vote: Motion to sign the letter of support approved unanimously (mover/second not specified on the record).
