Broomfield Council votes 8-0 to enter executive session on Eagle Trace Golf Course

The Broomfield City Council voted 8-0 Wednesday night to move into an executive session to discuss real property, receive instructions to negotiators and obtain legal advice related to the Eagle Trace Golf Course.

The special meeting, called solely to consider the executive-session request, approved the closed-session motion after Mayor Pro Tem Shah moved and Council member Doug Gaddio seconded. The clerk read the recommendation as permitted under Colorado law, citing Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(a), (b) and (e). The council’s final on-screen tally was recorded as 8 to 0 in favor of the executive session.

Residents from the Eagle Trace neighborhood spoke during the public-comment period, urging council action. Bruce Early, president of the Eagle Trace Homeowners Association, said the neighborhood discovered in January that the golf course’s water rights had been sold and described the prospect of buying back sufficient water as “a $6,000,000 plus prospect” that would be difficult for about 500 affected homes to fund. “I am both relieved and comforted to know that this is now on the city council and city staff’s radar screen,” Early said.

Other residents described visible decline at the course, concerns about dried reservoirs, and the potential for the site to become an eyesore or be redeveloped. Dan Sonnison said he viewed the course as “a community asset” and worried about damaged property values and traffic if redevelopment occurred near Main Street. John Miller said he supported the motion to enter executive session and encouraged the council to consider creative solutions to restore the course’s value to the community.

Environmental and wildlife concerns also were raised. Frank Estevez noted the presence of migratory birds and suggested there could be “legal implications” if reservoirs are allowed to drop and habitat is lost. Several residents requested additional public engagement and town-hall-style briefings, and some said they learned of the meeting only via neighborhood posts such as Nextdoor.

Deputy city and county attorney Gilbert summarized the legal authority for holding the executive session and said no formal action could be taken in private. The council stated it would report out the outcome of its closed-session discussions and then adjourn without returning to public session.

The special meeting agenda listed only the request to enter executive session. Council staff clarified that the meeting times appearing on the website were placeholders; the executive session was scheduled to follow immediately after the special meeting. No decisions about the golf course’s future, water purchases, redevelopment, or maintenance were made on the public record at this meeting.