Lake County commissioners weigh short-term lease and operating changes to keep Leadville motocross track open

Lake County commissioners spent the bulk of a work-session discussion on the lease and future operations of the Leadville Motocross Park, also referred to in the meeting as the Leadville Motocross Track or Mount Albert Moto. Commissioners and county staff said their priority is getting the track open while they negotiate how the county should manage liability, oversight and community access.

Commissioners discussed a proposal to make Fridays “locals and youth” days starting this summer (one speaker suggested around July) and to have a county representative at the gate for those days. County staff and one commissioner proposed using a one-year lease as an interim step while county staff and the track operators work toward an operating agreement; other commissioners and staff cautioned that one year could hinder the operator’s ability to justify capital purchases and recommended at least two to three years for operational stability.

Why it matters: The track is both a local recreational resource and a weekend draw for out‑of‑area riders, speakers said. Commissioners repeatedly warned they did not want to lose the facility entirely by imposing terms that would drive away the current operators; at the same time, staff identified legal and liability risks in a broad lease that would leave the county with limited ability to require safety standards or mitigate exposure.

Key details and debate

- Access and schedule: Commissioners proposed opening one additional day for locals and youth (Fridays), with operators or county-arranged staff separating youth and faster local riders on busy days if needed. Speakers said the facility currently operates primarily on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), and that expanding to more days raises staffing and logistical challenges.

- Lease vs. operating agreement: Several speakers said the current draft is written as a land lease rather than an operating agreement. County staff argued an operating agreement would give the county more ability to engage, set safety requirements and reduce the county's exposure to liability compared with a long-term lease that grants the tenant broad control. Operators, according to the meeting, have so far been reluctant to accept an operating agreement.

- Term length: One commissioner proposed a one-year lease with an option to extend as an interim measure to "buy time" to develop a longer-term operating approach. County counsel and staff said one year may create a disincentive for operators to invest in equipment and repairs; they recommended two to three years if the county wanted operational continuity. Commissioners signaled support for using a short-term solution this year to avoid leaving the facility closed while negotiations continue.

- Liability and nonprofit status: County staff raised concerns about the lessee's organizational form and how that affects accountability. The meeting referenced the track organizers'self-description as a membership nonprofit (a 501(c)(6)-style membership organization was discussed in the transcript) and the need for appropriate governance (member meetings, budget votes) if the county is to rely on that structure. Staff reiterated that county exposure to suits can remain even when property is leased for recreational use unless contract terms and oversight mitigate risk.

- County-owned equipment and contingency planning: Participants said at least two pieces of county-owned equipment (described as a tractor and a water truck) remain on site but were never titled to operators. Speakers discussed options if current operators step away: the county could buy equipment they own, issue an RFP for a new operator, or work with volunteers or other community members to fill gaps.

Next steps and staff direction

County staff agreed to edit and circulate a revised lease/operating proposal to the commissioners for review before it is shared with operators. Staff will draft an operating-agreement template and continue relationship-building with current operators to see whether an operator will accept a partnership-style operating agreement. Commissioners and staff described a shared goal of preserving the facility in the short term (the group repeatedly endorsed an interim arrangement for the coming season) while working toward clearer long-term governance.

No formal motion or recorded vote was taken during the work session. Instead, commissioners directed staff to refine lease language, explore an operating agreement draft, and return with options for a short-term arrangement that allows the track to open this season while longer-term terms are negotiated.