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Blue Valley Ranch presents land‑exchange package to expand public river access and restoration
Summary
Blue Valley Ranch described a multi‑parcel land exchange with BLM and Summit County offering public takeouts, trails, parking, rest areas and stream‑restoration work to improve access and fisheries between Green Mountain Reservoir and the Blue/Colorado confluence.
Rob Firth of Blue Valley Ranch presented a detailed land‑exchange package that, he said, was negotiated to maximize public benefit. The plan offers nine parcels from the ranch to BLM and includes easements, parking improvements, rest stops, toilets and a proposed long‑term operations and maintenance trust to fund upkeep.
"We requested from them what would they like to see in this package to make this work," Rob Firth said, summarizing outreach with BLM and other stakeholders. Firth described public‑access easements to provide walk‑in fishing, improvements to takeout/launch facilities on Spring Creek and Green Mountain reaches, and plans for stream‑restoration structures (J‑hooks, narrowing channels and habitat features) to improve fisheries. He said the ranch and partners expect work to begin in 2026 after permitting and 404 processes, and that a trust fund—held by BLM—would support operations and maintenance.
Commissioners asked about long‑term maintenance responsibility, access and coordination with Summit County and BLM; Firth said Blue Valley Ranch would contribute to grants and initial work but BLM will administer the O&M trust and manage long‑term maintenance.
