Ken-Caryl task force presents South Hogback management plan feedback; board to consider adoption in December

Task force members and district staff presented results of community feedback on the South Hogback open-space management plan at the Ken-Caryl Metropolitan District board meeting on Nov. 11, 2025. Staff said they received 41 submissions and that the responses were largely neutral or supportive of the proposed management approach.

Presenters said conservation was the top priority identified by respondents, followed by wildfire mitigation and wildlife protection. Comment trends included preferences to maintain existing trails rather than expand them, avoid new trails in sensitive areas, consider seasonal or nighttime closures where appropriate, and limit or prohibit mountain biking on some segments. Task force staff recommended two "cleanup" items before finalizing the plan: reconcile the ERO-generated map with task-force-identified sensitive areas (particularly in the northwest corner) and include public comments as an addendum so the record shows community input was considered.

Public commenters reiterated concerns about limited follow-through on past plans and urged continued monitoring and enforcement (one commenter asked that rangers be deployed to trails rather than driving). The board did not adopt the plan that night; members signaled support for bringing the plan back for adoption at the December meeting after map corrections and the proposed addendum are completed.

Next steps: staff will align the mapping with task-force corrections, add an appendix with public comments, and place the South Hogback management plan on the December agenda for potential adoption.