Boulder County approves $1.8 million purchase of 20 acres to expand open space near Gunbarrel

Boulder County commissioners voted June 10 to acquire roughly 20 acres of vacant land known as the Range View property for $1,800,000 from Tennis Center of the Rockies LLC, using open space sales tax dollars to finance the purchase.

Tina Burkhardt, land officer for Boulder County Parks and Open Space, told commissioners the parcel sits between Gunbarrel and Niwot just south of Lookout Road on N 70 9th Street and would add a contiguous block of prairie to county-managed open space. The purchase price includes one development right and one left-hand water tap, Burkhardt said, and staff will complete a Phase I environmental assessment before closing.

Burkhardt described several county and city designations that make the parcel significant for conservation: the property lies in the White Rocks/Gunbarrel Hill Environmental Conservation Area, contains significant agricultural land designations and view-protection status, and sits adjacent to critical wildlife habitat supporting species of special concern including grasshopper sparrows, burrowing owls, prairie dogs and raptors. She said nearby open space is seasonally closed to protect wintering raptors and nesting burrowing owls.

The Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended the acquisition 6–2 on May 20; the two dissenting votes reflected concern about prioritization and whether the county should reserve funds for other acquisitions, Burkhardt said. Members of the public speaking at the hearing urged approval: Joyce Fraley of Preserve Rural Gun Barrel cited a grassroots petition opposing prior proposed development and said county acquisition would help prevent habitat fragmentation, while Mary Eldred, a nearby resident and volunteer coordinator, urged approval and highlighted volunteer restoration opportunities.

Commissioners raised a separate procedural question about the draft purchase agreement included in the packet: the chair noted she holds a Colorado real estate license and asked whether a disclosure or license number should appear on a county signature line. Janice Wissman, real estate division manager, said Parks and Open Space uses a purchase agreement form rather than the standard Colorado real estate contract form, that staff will consult county attorneys and resolve whether the chair must disclose her license or whether the vice chair will sign, and that finalized documents and signature authority will be brought to a future business meeting.

A motion to approve acquisition (including any associated water rights) was made, seconded and approved; the chair called for "all in favor" and "Aye" responses were recorded.

Next steps: staff will complete the Phase I environmental assessment, resolve signature/disclosure questions with the county attorney, finalize purchase documents and return to a future business meeting for signature approval and closing.