Photo: OLRTAC Chair Paul Bruchez presents recommendations to County Commissioners at the April 24th regular meeting. Photo by Casey Malon

On April 24, Grand County Open Lands, Rivers & Trails Advisory Committee (OLRTAC) Chair, Paul Bruchez presented the Committee’s recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).

Bruchez told the Commissioners that, using January 2018 fund balance data, the amounts available for Trails, with a maximum allotment of 15% of the fund, was $199,535, leaving $1,130,699.63 for Lands and Rivers. He told the Commissioners that the OLRTAC utilized a consisten rating methodology to effectively score the grant application requests.

The OLRTAC recommended funding allocations as follows:

Trails (8 grant applications received, 7 recommended for funding):

  1. Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) Trail Smart Sizing: Phase 1 implements the recently approved project. The project will mitigate ecological damage due to historic poor trail development and improve the recreational experience for trail users. The project includes 18 miles of new trail construction (not part of the funding), reroutes trails away from sensitive riparian zones, maintenance, bridges to better protect watersheds and restoration. The OLRTAC rated this request at 86.0 and recommended the full amount requested of $43,400 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place.
  2. Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) East Shore Trail: Funds for maintenance improvements on a 2-mile section of the East Shore Trail within Rocky Mountain National Park to accommodate bicycle use and other existing trail uses. The project includes construction of several causeways, a bog bridge and 1200-1500 foot trail reroute to improve public safety and trail sustainability. The OLRTAC rated this request at 85.8 and recommended the full amount requested of $51,300 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place.
  3. Town of Fraser Fraser River Trail Maintenance: Funds maintenance work, including placement and grading of 4-inches of Class 6 materials along 12,000 linear feet of the 10-foot wide trail, culvert clearing, edge reinforcement clearing/trimming of willows. The OLRTAC rated this request at 85.2 and recommended the full amount requested of $43,500 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place.
  4. Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) Winter Trail Grooming: Funds to maintain 30 miles of existing winter, non-motorized, multi-use trails including the Fraser River Trail, Fraser-to-Granby Trail, and Creekside/Chainsaw/Zoom Trails. The funds would pay to hire a winter season groomer, purchase a snowmobile trailer, signage, fuel and parts. The OLRTAC rated this request at 82.2 and recommended the full amount requested of $16,400 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place.
  5. Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) Phases & Wolford Area Trail Maintenance: Funds for long overdue trail maintenance in two heavily utilized recreation areas including reroutes, rock armoring, improved drainages, deadfall and hazard tree removal and improved sight lines. The OLRTAC rated this request at 81.4 and recommended the full amount requested of $21,950 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place and that HTA works with Colorado Parks & Wildlife on critical wildlife habitat-related issues..
  6. Grand Lake Trailgrooming Equipment Repair for Trail Maintenance: Funds current repair costs and readiness requirements for the 2018-2019 winter season. The OLRTAC rated this request at 80.4 and recommended the full amount requested of $10,000 be allocated to the project.
  7. Grand Lake Metropolitan Recreation District Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail System: Funds maintenance and revegetation of natural area trails impacted by wildfire mitigation and develops and installs signage emphasizing water-resource conservation and wildlife.The OLRTAC rated this request at 76.1 and recommended the partial amount of $12,614 of the requested $18,514 be allocated to the project, with the requirement that a revegetation and noxious weed management program be in place.
  8. Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) General Operating Support: Requested $75,000 in funding for general operating expenses for 2018 full-time, year-round staff. The OLRTAC rated this request at 52 and recommended that $0 be allocated to this request. The 1A funds do not allow disbursement for general operating expenses, as was initially suggested. Commissioner Richard Cimino moved to consider HTA’s $75,000 operational expense funding be drawn from the County’s general fund, citing that most counties manage their trails through a County Trails Department, which Grand County does not have. Commissioner Merrit Linke agreed to continue the discussion at a future Commissioner’s meeting. HTA Board member, Roger Hedlund, was advised that HTA should submit a written request to the County for the funds, and include a copy of their budget with the submission.

Lands and Rivers (3 grant applications received and recommended for funding):

  1. Grand County Windy Gap Reservoir Modification and Connectivity Channel Project: Funds moving the south dam, accommodating a 1-mile stream connectivity channel that will reconnect the Colorado River above and below the reservoir. The project also includes 2 fish passage improvements at the gaging system weir upstream of the Reservoir. The OLRTAC rated this request at 89.7 and recommended that $1,000,000 be allocated to the project, with additional requests anticipated for 2020 and 2021.
  2. Colorado Headwaters Land Trust Roy N Enter Land Donation: Funds appraisal and administrative expenses associated with managing the 82.28 acre parcel located east of Gore Range, off CR 14M. The OLRTAC rated this request at 73.4 and recommended the full amount requested of $57,200 be allocated to the project.
  3. Town of Granby Water Diversion Upgrades on Fraser River in Kaibab Park: Funds were requested to replace a dangerous, high-maintenance boulder weir with a series of low-profile, recreation-friendly boulder cross vanes in a series down the river through Kaibab Park, providing safer river access points and floating opportunities. The OLRTAC believes this project overlaps with the Windy Gap project and recommended that $6,250 of the requested $70,000 be allocated for initial design and public outreach to formulate a stronger work plan. They also recommended that the Town work with the County on the Windy Gap project to eliminate any duplication of effort.

In total, the OLRTAC recommended the first 1A grant fund disbursement of $1,262,614, leaving $121,298 available toward the next grant cycle in fall 2018. The Board of County Commissioners thanked the OLRTAC for providing a fair and detailed outline of the grants received. They unanimously voted to accept the OLRTAC’s recommendations and approved disbursement. The OLRTAC will work with County Finance on funding payment details.