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Council hears questions about Mountain Blue Sky operations agreement and Tribal access; parks director projects $900,000 in annual revenue
Summary
Denver Mountain Parks staff described a proposed agreement to have the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation operate Mountain Blue Sky (Echo Lake/Summit Lake). Director Shannon Denison said the first-year cost estimate is about $450,000 with revenue roughly $900,000 annually; council asked about tribal fee exemptions, volunteer roles and oversight.
Denver City Council heard questions April 13 about a proposed agreement that would have the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation operate the Mountain Blue Sky Recreation Area (Echo Lake and Summit Lake) under the Forest Service permit. The item was presented as Council Resolution 0430 during the bills-for-introduction sequence and drew detailed operational questions from council members.
Shannon Denison, director of Denver Mountain Parks, told council the city would retain enforcement and resource-protection obligations while the foundation would administer the permit and handle seasonal operations. "We estimate the revenue will be around $900,000 a year," Denison said, adding that the department expects first-year costs of about $450,000 as it staffs up. Denison cited management precedents in other Colorado communities and said the proposed approach would streamline visitor experience and reduce duplicative effort between agencies.
Council members asked about the role of the Mountain Parks Foundation versus the city, whether the foundation would carry out day-to-day maintenance, how tribal members’ free access would be administered, and how volunteers would be used. Denison said enrolled tribal members would typically be admitted on presentation of a tribal ID and pledged to increase outreach and communications if the council approves the agreement. Kate Fritz of the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation clarified the foundation would act as the permit holder and administrator, while delegating operational responsibility to city staff.
Council did not take a final vote on the resolution during general session introduction and directed staff to provide follow-up details on outreach, staffing plans and the agreement’s financial terms during committee or subsequent consideration.
The proposal would require final council action before implementation, and the department indicated additional outreach to tribal communities and written communications would follow approval.
