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POSEAC forwards Forsyth Rock conservation easement, recommends use of Gross Reservoir settlement funds
Summary
POSEAC recommended that the county commissioners approve a $400,000 conservation easement on the 36-acre Forsyth Rock parcel near Gross Reservoir, funded from the 2021 Gross Reservoir settlement; committee members asked about ownership, public access and how the easement would limit development.
Aaron Clark, a land officer with Boulder County Parks and Open Space, presented the Forsyth Rock property during POSEAC's November meeting and asked the advisory committee to recommend acquisition of a conservation easement. Clark said Forsyth Rock is a 36-acre forested property east of Nederland near County Road 68 and is visible from a wide area; the easement would prohibit new structures and protect archaeological sensitivity, natural communities and the view corridor.
Clark said the agreed purchase price for the conservation easement is $400,000 and that staff proposed using funds from the 2021 Gross Reservoir settlement between Denver Water and Boulder County, which allocated $5.1 million to the county for open-space acquisitions and trail corridors. He framed the acquisition as consistent with the settlement's purpose and county priorities to protect habitat and provide proximity to the Gross Reservoir community.
Committee members asked whether the owner would retain private ownership (Clark said the owner would retain fee ownership with an easement), whether this was the first use of gross-reservoir funds (staff said it was the third acquisition using those dollars) and whether the property would be opened to the public (staff said the owner prefers to retain private access and that public access decisions would be made during future planning). Members expressed support for preserving the visual and conservation values of the property.
Tony Lewis moved and Joan Lutz seconded that POSEAC recommend the Forsyth Rock conservation easement to the Board of County Commissioners. POSEAC voted unanimously to forward the recommendation.
Next steps: staff will include the Forsyth Rock recommendation in the packet to commissioners and proceed with due diligence and closing steps if the board approves the acquisition.
