Committee recommends purchase of historic Oradell (Fourmile) parcel for $1.5 million

Parks and Open Space staff presented a recommendation Oct. 23 to purchase the 6.63‑acre Oradell (Fourmile) property west of Boulder for $1,500,000, citing the parcel’s historic landmark designation (1993), adjacency to the county’s Patasso open space, archaeological sensitivity, and potential to create a trail connection to the Patasso trail system.

Tina Burkhart, land officer, described the property’s historic features — including remnants of a hydro‑powered sawmill and the former Saddle Rock Inn — and noted existing nonconforming structures and a historic‑preservation conservation easement that treats the buildings as historic units. She said staff will perform a Phase I environmental assessment and structural surveys prior to closing and that purchase agreements include contingencies to address any issues found.

Committee members pressed staff on whether mining activity had occurred, available fund balances, the presence of waterline easements, and trailhead and parking implications. Burkhart said a Phase I assessment is built into the purchase process and that staff believe the property has been a long-standing acquisition priority. Several public speakers and the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance expressed support for acquisition and for a trail connection to Patasso; the BMA's executive director said the property “sits exactly where the 2009 plan identified a feasible switch‑back trail connection.”

Derek Turner moved to recommend acquisition and the committee voted unanimously. Staff said the purchase would not close until the following year and that the Phase I and survey steps would occur before closing.