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Bears Ears Partnership seeks discussion on Bar Well; council weighs sale versus lease and source protections
Summary
A Bears Ears Partnership request to buy the Bar Well prompted council discussion about whether to pursue a sale or a lease, protections for the water source, and a possible Dark Sky Park; Councilmember Britt Hornsby disclosed he works for Bears Ears Partnership and asked for the organization's executive director to be brought into talks.
Councilors discussed a request from Bears Ears Partnership to purchase the Bar Well during the Aug. 12 work session, weighing the practical and legal challenges of disposing of town property and whether a lease might be preferable.
Councilmember Jennifer Davila, who recently attended an astro‑tourism conference, asked that the council consider developing a Dark Sky Park at the site as an alternative to outright sale. Staff cautioned that disposing of town property is procedurally complex and suggested pursuing a lease could preserve town oversight and protect the well source.
Councilmember Britt Hornsby disclosed during the discussion that he works for Bears Ears Partnership and said the organization’s executive director has requested a conversation with the town. No decision or direction to staff to begin a sale process was recorded; the minutes reflect that the council will continue the conversation in a future session.
Next steps recorded in the minutes include further discussion of sale versus lease options and consideration of source‑protection measures; the item will return to a future meeting for possible formal action.
