OSAC recommends Iron Springs trail connection with conditions to limit wildlife impacts

Summit County Open Space Advisory Council voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Iron Springs trail proposal with a condition that staff review trail density and parking strategies in the Frisco Backyard and Peninsula Recreation Area (PRA) to minimize wildlife impacts and secure adequate public access.

Jordan Mead, Open Space and Trails Resource Specialist, outlined prior conversations and noted Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recommended enlarging the Highway 9 underpass and adding wildlife fencing to route large ungulates to the crossing. Town of Frisco staff described that the Dickey Day Use parking was relocated during Highway 9 realignment and that a trail connection from the relocated lot to the reservoir shoreline has been completed; the Town and Forest Service have supported current winter parking management within the PRA.

Council members emphasized that without wildlife fencing animals are unlikely to use the underpass and that trail density in the broader Frisco backyard area should be assessed holistically. OSAC members agreed to forward the recommendation with conditions. The motion to recommend approval was made by Greg Guevera, seconded by John Uban, and approved unanimously.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the Council’s conditions into their recommendation materials for the Board of County Commissioners and coordinate with CPW, Forest Service wildlife biologists, and the County’s RAMI process to address underpass capacity and fence placement before design and construction.