To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Jeff Brauer, Director of Parks and Recreation
Title
Resolution Expressing the Town Council’s Support for the Submission of an Application for a Grant from the Great Outdoors Colorado Land Acquisition Program for the Lost Canyon Ranch Project [6581 Lost Canyon Ranch Road in unincorporated Douglas County]
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this agenda item is to obtain Town Council approval of a Resolution supporting a grant application to the Great Outdoors Colorado Land Acquisition Program from the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund to assist with the acquisition of the 681-acre Lost Canyon Ranch for the permanent protection of the habitat, cultural resources, and future passive recreation opportunities as open space. Douglas County, Castle Rock Water and the Conservation Fund will participate in the acquisition of the Lost Canyon Ranch.
This process began July 20, 2023 with the submittal of a Concept Paper requesting $2,000,000 in grant funding to assist with land purchase. GOCO staff and the State Board selected the Town’s Concept Paper as one of 11 finalists requesting over $19 million in funds in this grant cycle. The Town was invited to move forward with submitting a full application.
A Town Council resolution in support of the grant is a requirement of the application. The final GOCO grant application requesting $2 million is due on September 7, 2023. Grant awards will be announced on December 8, 2023. If awarded, the Town has up to three years to complete the acquisition.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
Lost Canyon Ranch is one of the last, large-acreage properties yet to be developed near Castle Rock. The property features scenic, cultural and wildlife resources as well as potential recreational opportunities and a significant prehistoric archaeological site that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Town and Douglas County share the overall goal to protect and preserve the habitat and cultural resources of the property, supporting the continued partnership that has successfully protected Gateway Mesa and Quarry Mesa open space properties in the past.
The Town has submitted other grant applications in the past that were successfully approved, including land acquisition projects, as demonstrated in the following list:
• 2019: $2,000,000 GOCO Connect Initiative Grant for the Colorado Front Range Trail Project
• 2016: $1,000,000 GOCO Connect Initiative Grant for East Plum Creek Trail Phase 5 Project
• 2013: $250,000 LPOR Grant for Philip S. Miller Park Phase 1 (adventure playground and environmental education amenities)
• 2012: $194,000 State Trails Construction Grant for Hangman’s Gulch Phase 2 Project
• 2008: $230,000 State Trails Grant for the East Plum Creek Trail Zemp/Clingman Acquisition
• 2007: $200,000 State Trails Construction Grant for the East Plum Creek Trail Connection
• 2006: $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition Grant for Quarry Mesa
Budget Impact
Staff and project partners are preparing a grant application seeking a $2 million grant for the $14.5 million project cost to acquire the Lost Canyon Ranch.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution supporting the grant application to the Land Acquisition Program from the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund to acquire the Lost Canyon Ranch.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Alternative motions:
“I move to approve the Resolution as introduced by title, with the following conditions: (list conditions).”
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on (date) to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Resolution
Attachment A - GOCO Concept Paper