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Boulder County approves four parks and open-space acquisitions and easements, citing trail connections and habitat protection
Summary
The board approved acquisition of the 4 Mile property ($1.5M, ~6.63 acres), a 1.21‑acre pocket parcel ($10,500), a conservation easement on Paintbrush (easement price $215,000, ~35 acres), and a power-line easement to bring three‑phase power for agricultural irrigation; each item had POSAC (Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee) recommendation and was approved by voice vote.
The Boulder County Board on Nov. 13 approved four Parks and Open Space real estate actions: the 4 Mile property acquisition, a small "pocket" parcel acquisition near Lyons, a conservation easement on the Paintbrush property, and a power‑line easement to bring electrical service to county agricultural land.
Tina Burkhart of Parks and Open Space presented the 4 Mile property (approx. 6.63 acres, owner Michael Sandrock) with a proposed purchase price of $1,500,000. Staff noted the parcel adjoins Patasso Preserve, is archaeologically sensitive, includes riparian corridors and habitat (including Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat cited in the packet), and contains historical townsite features recognized by a Boulder County landmark designation in 1993. The Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee recommended acquisition 8–0. Members of the public, including Wendy Sweet (Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance) and Stan Needle (Boulder bike patrol), spoke in support, urging a trail connection to reduce bicyclist exposure to vehicle traffic.
Burkhart then presented a pocket property (approx. 1.21 acres, owner Tom Thomas) near Highway 66 with a proposed purchase price of $10,500. The parcel is already encumbered by a conservation easement prohibiting residential development; staff proposed, upon acquisition, exploring conveyance of a portion to an adjacent landowner to simplify monitoring obligations. POSAC recommended acquisition 8–0 and the board approved the motion.
Aaron Clark presented the proposed Paintbrush conservation easement (approx. 35 acres, owner TJ Price). Staff described wetlands, an ephemeral stream (Beaver Creek tributary), wildlife migration corridors and significant natural communities; the agreed easement price on the record was $215,000. Clark said funds proposed for the easement come from a 2021 Gross Reservoir settlement allocation that set aside $5.1 million for acquisitions and conservation easements. Owner TJ Price spoke in favor of conserving the parcel as 'wild' land. Commissioners approved the recommended easement by voice vote.
Finally, Erin Clark explained a proposed 10‑foot‑wide power‑line easement to bring three‑phase PVREA service to the county’s IBM open-space agricultural property to replace a diesel generator that currently powers irrigation pumps. Staff said the installation would cross two parcels and that PVREA would install but not maintain the underground line; the packet reported acquisition cost figures on the record, but the transcript wording of those figures is ambiguous. Commissioners asked whether on-site solar or battery alternatives had been considered; staff said, to their knowledge, those options were not pursued for this installation and that the site previously had no power. The board approved the easement.
All four land items were supported by staff and recommended by the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee; each passed by voice vote. Commissioners thanked Parks and Open Space staff for due diligence and closed the real estate portion of the business meeting.
