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Arapahoe County officials back joint‑project funding requests for two High Line Canal sites
Summary
County commissioners heard presentations from Aurora and the Highland Canal Conservancy and signaled support for two joint‑project funding requests: $270,000 for an outdoor classroom and accessible crossing at Laredo Elementary and $95,000 for the Granite Beach Overlook; both projects are part of a larger GOCO‑supported package.
Arapahoe County commissioners on Wednesday reviewed two linked project requests to improve the High Line Canal corridor in North Aurora and indicated support to advance the proposals to construction this year.
City of Aurora planner Kirk Bish and a representative of the Highland Canal Conservancy described two projects in the North Aurora package: an outdoor classroom and new, accessible land crossing adjacent to Laredo Elementary School, and the Granite Beach Overlook near the Granby Ditch Open Space.
The Conservancy representative said the partners are providing $270,000 toward the Laredo project and “are requesting $270,000 from the Arapahoe County joint project fund.” The representative added that design drawings are approximately 95% complete and that the team expects to turn drawings over to Aurora for bidding this spring, with construction planned this summer and into next spring. For the Granite Beach Overlook, the Conservancy representative said partners are providing a $95,000 match and requested $95,000 from the county.
The presenter placed the two requests in the context of a 2023 county pledge of $4 million to support High Line Canal projects, noting roughly $2.4 million of that pledge remains available for projects along the canal. The Conservancy representative also said the overall North Aurora package includes more than $1 million in contributions from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Conservancy, plus private funds and support from neighboring jurisdictions.
Commissioners emphasized community engagement and school involvement. “The number of touch points … this is incredible outreach sustained over years,” said Commissioner Jessica Campbell, praising engagement with Laredo Elementary and neighborhood residents. Commissioner Warren Daly highlighted the project team’s attention to details such as seating and shade for school users. The chair counted four thumbs‑up from commissioners present to indicate informal approval to proceed with the funding requests.
Design reviews for Granite Beach have already involved Arapahoe County and Denver Water and were described as in final review with the City of Aurora. Presenters said the projects include interpretive signage, plantings and seating using natural boulders, and that the Conservancy has engaged the neighborhood through a Northeast Advisory Committee that will continue to help prioritize design choices.
Next procedural steps: presenters will finalize materials for Aurora to bid the Laredo work, and staff will advance the joint‑project funding requests through the county’s normal approval and contracting processes. Commissioners then moved the meeting to an executive session to discuss a separate personnel matter.
