Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission October 26, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Zoom Webinar When: Oct 26, 2020 05:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Topic: BOSAC - October Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87111228701 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13462487799,,87111228701# or +16699006833,,87111228701# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 871 1122 8701

5:30 pm Call to Order, Roll Call

5:35 pm Discussion/Approval of Minutes 1

• September 2020 Draft BOSAC Minutes

5:40 pm Discussion/Approval of Agenda

5:45 pm Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

5:50 pm Staff Summary 8

• Field Season Update • BOSAC Vacancy • Forestry Update • Cucumber Gulch Preserve Update

6:00 pm Open Space Discussion 9 • Al-Qatami and Neighboring Open Space • TOB Open Space Grant Review • BOSAC Role & Engagement

7:15 pm Executive Session

7:45 pm Adjournment

For further information, please contact Anne Lowe at 970.547.3155. Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Roll Call Matt Powers called the September 28, 2020 BOSAC meeting to order at 5:33 pm via Zoom. Other BOSAC members present included Nikki LaRochelle, Duke Barlow, Erin Gigliello, Chris Tennal, and Ian Hamilton. Staff members present included Anne Lowe, Tony Overlock, and Scott Reid. Local residents Peter Grosshuesch, Kelly Ahern, Rayanne Harris, Todd Rankin, Whitney Hedberg, David Rossi were also in attendance.

Approval of Minutes The August 13th, Special Topic meeting minutes were approved.

Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved.

Public Comments There were no public comments.

Staff Summary

Field Season Update Our Open Space Technicians have been busy completing the following projects: • Hired a new Open Space Technician, Shelby Corning, to replace a vacancy. Shelby has worked for Jefferson County Open Space for 5 seasons. • Constructed ungulate exclosure fencing in the Barney Ford clear cut, in conjunction with Summit County Open Space and The Nature Conservancy. • Extended the X10U8 Trail to intersect French Gulch Road across from the B&B Trailhead. • Completed the new Middle Flume Trail reroute. • Opened the first phase of the Mineral Hill Hiking-only Trail. • Began installing new etiquette signs. • Conducted maintenance on the Slalom Trail. • Completed work with a mini-excavator: o Constructed drainages on the Fall Classic Trail. o Installed rock armoring and improved drainages on the Upper Flume Trail. o Constructed drainages on the Prospect Gulch Trail. o Improved drainages on the True Romance Trail connecting to Baldy Road. Ms. LaRochelle: I thought you might build a spur for an interpretative site off the Mineral Hill Hiking Trail? Ms. Lowe: That particular area may not be the best option for an interpretative site given the heavy mineral content of the soil. Mr. Grosshuesch: Regarding the Troll Trail, is it possible to get crowd management and revegetation in place, especially around the creek bank? Ms. Lowe: We plan to work with the BTO to address crowd management, revised messaging, physical distancing, and COVID-related concerns.

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1 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Ms. Gigliello: At which point is this no longer just a trail amenity but an actual event? The Town’s responsibly is something to consider. Ms. Ahern: The majority of people using the trail are following mask requirements. Mr. Powers: In what ways are people learning about the Troll Trail? These platforms are a good opportunity and should be utilized to message proper trail etiquette, and COVID protocols. Ms. Lowe: The BTO handles this marketing effort, and we are working them to relay proper messaging. Mr. Tennal: How has the closure worked for Fairy Forest Trail? Mr. Overlock: The closure and corresponding fencing has been successful. Mr. Grosshuesch: I think it’s important to also address the tail degradation and stream banks getting hammered. This is an important riparian corridor, and would it be possible to install fencing in some areas and harden touch points to the creek?

Ms. Lowe: Staff agrees on the importance of protecting the riparian corridor. We will assess this and come up with a plan to address it.

Friends of Breckenridge Trails (FOBT) The August 8th and 22nd FOBT events were well attended. A total of 50 volunteers constructed 1,500 feet of new trail and two bridges on the new Middle Flume Trail reroute. The goal of the project was to realign the fall section of the trail with a more sustainable trail alignment, reducing resource damage and improving earlier season conditions.

The September 12th event focused on the Little Corporal extension project, was the last event of the season. Over 25 volunteers constructed 1,000 feet of new trail. The Open Space Technicians will be able to complete the remainder of the trail project this season.

Thank you to everyone that participated in our events this summer! Overall, staff was very pleased with the FOBT season, especially given the new COVID-19 protocol. An incredible amount of work was accomplished and volunteers seemed grateful to have the opportunity to participate.

Ms. Gigliello: How do the volunteer numbers compared to last year’s?

Mr. Overlock: Our numbers averaged around 25 per event this season compared to 35 per event last year. This was in part due to limited available crew leaders and new COVID protocol.

BOSAC Vacancy Since Carol Saade was elected to a Town Council position, her seat on BOSAC remains open. Staff has posted the vacancy on the Town website, social media, and Summit Daily News. There are 2.5 years remaining of a 4-year term and the newly appointed BOSAC member will serve the remainder of that term. Applications will be accepted until 4pm on Friday, October 2nd and can be emailed to [email protected]. Candidates must live within the Breckenridge town limits. Those candidates with knowledge and experience in forestry,

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2 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission restoration, or land management would help diversify the skills on BOSAC. Please see the announcement on the Town website and forward to anyone who may be interested.

Ms. Harris: Have the winter activity suggestions been finalized?

Ms. Lowe: This is currently a moving target. Council will be meeting in October to discuss budgets and this will be prioritized at that time. There has been discussion about utilizing current facilities, such the Ice Arena and Gold Run Nordic, and expanding programs where there are existing equipment and staff.

Trail Priorities Staff is in the midst of budgeting for 2021 using the same Tier 1 cuts model in place for 2020. With that budgeting structure in mind, staff is refining our list of trail priority projects for 2021 and beyond.

This field season was challenging given contractor availability and reduced staffing. Many of the planned projects or those started in 2020 will be prioritized for 2021. 2021 priorities include several components of the Golden Horseshoe special use authorization (SUA) permit. First, is completing a baseline inventory of all the recreational trails and roadways and their conditions so that the Town and County crews can determine what work needs to be completed and can develop a maintenance schedule with each entity along with a shared database. Second, all of the proposed new trails identified as conceptual in the permit have been vetted by the Golden Horseshoe Oversight Committee and are ready for flagging and then NEPA analysis. There are approximately 10 trails that fall into this category. New projects that haven’t been vetted by the Committee are not a priority and will require consultation and vetting with the Committee following established protocol as time and staffing permits. Staff will work into 2021 to finalize these conceptual alignments and together with our partners, contract for NEPA consultants.

Projects from 2020 that we expect to continue and finalize in 2021 include the Rose of Breckenridge beginner mountain bike loop with interpretive/educational signage, Cucumber Gulch Preserve trail alignments, and trailhead expansion projects. Staff is in the midst of hiring a contractor to expand the Gold Run/Peabody trailhead, hopefully in time for winter. Unfortunately, our Streets Dept is too busy to complete that for us this season. Similarly, the Reiling Dredge trailhead expansion project will need to wait until 2021 when our Streets Dept has staff and equipment available.

The pandemic provides us an opportunity to see what demands and needs exist for our Town and County trail network, including types of trail users, congestion, route suggestions, and needed connections. Staff will endeavor to continue examining possibilities and hopes to transition from being reactionary to proactive as we navigate our way through the pandemic and budget constraints.

Mr. Powers: It sounds as though a bunch of the planned projects are getting pushed back. Perhaps we should revisit the budget to seek solutions. Are these projects getting delayed due mainly to limited man power and reduced staffing?

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3 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Ms. Lowe: Our Tier 1 cuts for 2020 will continue into 2021 budgeting. The majority of the Tier 1 cuts in 2020 were in land acquisitions, which has been on a temporary freeze, as well as staffing. The proposed 2021 budget include less sales tax, no incoming grants, reduced staff and staff training, and elimination of the Hoosier Recpath Fund contribution. It does, however, contemplate seasonal hires, including the other Naturalist for Cucumber Gulch Preserve and two additional Open Space Technicians.

Mr. Tennal: Will we be reviewing the annual open space budget again this year?

Ms. Lowe: We are currently waiting for Council’s direction following their budget retreat, at which point, we will provide an updated Pro Forma.

Ms. Gigliello: How does the budgetary process work with Council, BOSAC, and staff?

Ms. Lowe: During the pandemic, our usual protocol has changed a bit. We shared the Open Space Pro Forma with BOSAC showing Tier 1 cuts for the remainder of 2020 at the April BOSAC meeting following Council and Town Admin direction at the start of the pandemic. This immediate need to cut budgets happened between the March and April BOSAC meetings. Council and Town Admin directed staff to cut 40% of budgets, which we refer to as Tier 1 cuts.

Council and Town Admin also advised that these same Tier 1 cuts be included in the 2021 proposed budget. This budget will then be reviewed by Council in October at their budget retreat. After revisions are made, staff will revise the Pro Forma and present it to BOSAC.

Before the pandemic, BOSAC typically reviews the Pro Forma prior to budgeting in the summer months to 1) review year-end figures after final sales tax is determined, and 2) review annual growth assumptions and program areas based on known or expected activities in the coming year. After Council’s budget retreat, the Pro Forma is revised as necessary and shared with BOSAC.

Copper Canyon Area Trails Ms. Lowe: As BOSAC will recall, we jointly purchased the 14-acre Copper Canyon parcel in early 2020 prior to the pandemic. There are numerous possible trail connections through this property to our existing trail network that would require approval and NEPA with the USFS or easements with private homeowners and HOA’s. There is also the possibility of exploring a trailhead and hiking-only trail on Copper Canyon. Neither the Town nor County has yet had time or resources to vet any of these possibilities, but Todd Rankin has asked to share his ideas with BOSAC.

Mr. Rankin presented ideas for numerous trail connections in the Copper Canyon area.

Ms. Lowe: We appreciate your passion and hard work on these projects, as they look like great opportunities for neighborhood connections.

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4 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Mr. Tennal: I agree with Mr. Rankin that there is a void of trails in this area and a lack of neighborhood connectivity. I think it is valuable to continue to explore other zones outside of the Golden Horseshoe.

Ms. Gigliello: The more connectivity the better, and it allows for people to recreate where they live, spreading people out and getting them off the roads.

Mr. Powers: Agreed, having more trail options helps to spread people out during this necessary time.

Mr. Rankin: It takes some pressure of the French Gulch area.

Mr. Hamilton: There is a trail void in that particular area. We should consider updated residence density and prioritize trail connectivity in these relevant areas.

Ms. Lowe: We have experienced a lot of new development in recent years, and it would be good to revisit what other trail portals we can install.

Mr. Reid: When new development plans come in, we encourage trail easements and connectivity within them. In the SUA agreement, we are working on 10 new trail alignments to address this.

Ms. Gigliello: Was Open Space directed to hit a specific amount of budget cuts?

Ms. Lowe: Open Space was directed to cut our budget by 40%. This was mainly done through a reduction in a full time staff member, several seasonal positions in 2020, trimming the trails construction and land management budget, and putting a freeze on land acquisitions.

Forestry Updates Thanks to our partners at the State Forest, we have secured $30,000 in funding for forestry projects on Peak 7 through the 2020 Strong Future Funds and 2020 Forests to Faucets II Funds. We are planning on conducting forest management on 20 acres across Peak 7 and are starting with the Peak 7 water tower parcel in coordination with a neighboring landowner. Work is expected to start this fall and continue into 2021.

The Wellington Forestry project will soon be underway, as the crew who was awarded the contract is making their way to Breckenridge. Their home and offices are located in an evacuated wildfire zone in Oregon and this has understandably delayed our project. The Colorado State Forest hosted a walk-through of the project area with representatives from the Wellington, Gibson Heights, and Vista Point HOA’s, Town Council, USFS, and County Commissioners. Work is expected to start this fall and whatever portions of the project are not completed by the end of October will be finished in 2021. For updated project information, please visit the County website for this project.

Ms. Gigliello: Has the Wellington HOA sent out a message yet about the forest health project?

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5 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Mr. Hamilton: We are waiting for the crews to starting working because we feel that is when people will have the most questions. If we send it out too early, people might not pay attention.

Cucumber Gulch Preserve Updates The Naturalist program has wrapped up for the season in Cucumber Gulch Preserve. As BOSAC will recall, we only filled one Naturalist position due to budget cuts, but were fortunate to have another Open Space employee fill in as Naturalist for approximately 2+ months. In an effort to manage the very high visitor use over the summer months, we tested a pilot project in August and September to lead guided hikes in the Preserve. The hikes started near the Peak’s Trailhead and ended at Josie’s Cabin. Over an approximately 1.5-hour tour, participants learned the natural and mining history of the area ongoing wildlife and groundwater studies, unique habitat forms and fen wetlands, and local flora and fauna. Staff conducted surveys of participants and have been collecting great feedback and reviews. Overall, the Naturalists conducted 35 tours with a total of 232 participants. Group size was limited to 7 people plus a guide, in keeping with our group size limitation for the Preserve. This pilot project will help inform the Conservation Plan for the Preserve and adaptive management strategies for visitor use.

Staff and contractors are also wrapping up beaver surveys for the season and will conclude with a lodge survey in mid to late October. So far, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number and distribution of beavers throughout all areas of the Preserve.

EcoMetrics has secured a Nationwide permit for us to do additional work in middle Cucumber Gulch Preserve. Boreas Creek has been heavily channelized and water is not being distributed to the series of ponds which once held a lot of water, so EcoMetrics and our Open Space Technicians will begin work this fall on repairing dams and distributing water more evenly.

All of the groundwater, wildlife, and Naturalist data will be compiled and included in the EcoMetrics report this winter.

Winter Activities Update Thank you, BOSAC, for all the great ideas and suggestions on winter activities from the August special topic meeting. Council discussed and recently approved the following winter activities:

• Expanded grooming of the recpath, McCain property, and Golden Horseshoe single track. • Sledding hill on the McCain property adjacent to Airport Road skier parking. • Expanded fat bike, ski, and snowshoe fleet at Gold Run Nordic Center. • Rental of snowcat for expanded grooming and staffing by Public Works. • Working with BreckCreate to increase outdoor Art programming. • Increase guided tours available through Gold Run Nordic Center. • Increase partnerships, including Country Boy Mine, to expand winter offerings. • Expanded communications with BTO, CMC, BHA, and Friends of CAIC.

Mr. Reid: The sledding is mostly competed and just needs to be compacted. The potential name could be the “Runway”.

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6 Town of Breckenridge September 28, 2020 Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission

Mr. Hamilton: What is happening at the McCain Property? Are they replacing the culvert or starting the stream restoration?

Mr. Reid: They are relocating the utilities, and setting the stage to replace the existing culvert with a box culvert. The stream restoration is still under litigation. With that being said, we hope to start work next summer.

Ms. LaRochelle: I feel the Open Space Program could improve their public engagement by providing information highlighting new trails, volunteer work, and other Open Space projects. Social media, Instagram or the Town’s website could be utilized for this.

Ms. Lowe: Staff has been challenged to find the time and people to do this. We agree that our public outreach and engagement should be better.

Ms. Gigliello: Do we have updated numbers from our Trailheads for August or September?

Ms. Lowe: We will provide those numbers at our December meeting. We know we are seeing a considerable increase in the amount of users compared to last year.

Mr. Powers: Council needs to be aware that we have seen an uptick in numbers every year, despite COVID.

Mr. Duke made a motion to adjourn the BOSAC meeting. Mr. Powers seconded the motion. The meeting concluded at 7:15 pm.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 26th at 5:30 pm via virtual conferencing.

Matt Powers, Chair

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Memorandum To: Breckenridge Open Space Advisory Commission From: Open Space & Trails Staff Re: October 26, 2020 Meeting

Staff Summary Field Season Update Our Open Space Technicians have been busy completing the following projects:

 Completed the Little Corporal Trail extension to Gold Run Road.  Completed Gold Run Trailhead expansion project.  Started construction on the beginner mountain biking trail, the Rose. Expected completion in spring of 2021.  Removed 100’s of downed trees system wide in collaboration with Summit County Open Space.  Completed True Romance Trail maintenance project.  Assisted EcoMetrics with dam and creek maintenance in Cucumber Gulch Preserve to disperse water evenly throughout the middle portion of the Preserve.  Constructed 1,500 ft of buck and rail fencing along on the Illinois Creek Trail to prevent users from wandering onto private property.  Installed temporary new trail etiquette signs to be rotated system wide.  Assisted The Nature Conservancy and Summit County in planting aspen seedlings in the Barney Ford clear cut. BOSAC Vacancy The Nominating Committee of Matt Powers, Erin Gigliello, and Anne Lowe interviewed all 13 eligible applicants to fill Carol Saade’s vacant BOSAC seat. Town Council will review and appoint the BOSAC member at its October 27th meeting. This person will serve the remaining 2.5 years of Ms. Saade’s term. Forestry Update The Wellington Forestry Project got underway the week of October 19th. For updated project information, please visit the County website for this project.

Cucumber Gulch Preserve Update During the recent high winds, a tree fell on the gondola and became entangled in the communication line. The Ski Resort applied for a Class D permit to bring in a ‘forwarder’ machine to remove the tree using the old gondola construction access road. The access road will be naturalized following the removal of the tree.

8 Open Space and Trails Discussion

Al-Qatami and Neighboring Open Space Staff received a request from Ron Shelton, a realtor working with the Al-Qatami family, owners of approximately 19 acres of vacant land on Little Mountain, to formalize a trail easement and secure an easement for driveway access on our adjoining Open Space property. As BOSAC will recall, the Illinois Creek Trail extends through this area on Little Mountain and we do not have a formal trail easement on the Al-Qatami property.

Ron Shelton and company have been working with the County planning department to rezone the Al- Qatami property as a PUD. As part of that process, the owners seek to dedicate the trail easement for portions of the Illinois Creek Trail and secure a driveway easement from the Town in order to avoid disturbing wetlands on Boreas Pass Road. Please see the attached letter from Ron Shelton.

The Town Planning Department has also reviewed the PUD request. One of the things the Town looks for, when asked to review and comment on proposals as part of a rezoning process, is public benefits. The Open Space program has long sought a trail easement for the Illinois Creek Trail. Because a portion of the trail currently follows a fall line and is showing signs of erosion, we also have the opportunity to realign the trail along a flume in a more sustainable fashion with a trail easement.

Staff requests that BOSAC review both aspects of the proposal, including the trail easement and driveway easement.

Staff requests that BOSAC review the enclosed attachments and be prepared to ask Ron Shelton any questions regarding both aspects of the proposal. BOSAC will formally review the request during executive session.

TOB Open Space Grant Review Enclosed in the packet are two open space-related grant requests for BOSAC’s consideration. These two applications were included in the Town’s grant program and have been referred to BOSAC for discussion and recommendation. As BOSAC recalls, the Town has an active grant program and Town Council’s grant committee chooses which submitted grants are reviewed by BOSAC and will potentially be funded via the open space program. Any BOSAC recommendations will be considered by the Town Council grants committee.

The Colorado ’s Initiative and Friends of Dillon Ranger District were both funded in last year’s grant cycle for the same requested amounts. Also enclosed are their final reports for the past year.

The two grant applications include:

• The Friends of Dillon Ranger District ($15,000) seeks funding for trail maintenance, wildlife habitat improvement, and forest stewardship projects in the Breckenridge and areas. • The Colorado Fourteener’s Initiative ($7,500) seeks funding for trail maintenance, engaging volunteers in trail stewardship, educating hikers, and collecting hiking use data on .

Staff requests BOSAC review the two grant applications and answer the following questions:

9

1. Does BOSAC have any questions regarding these two grant applications? 2. What recommendations does BOSAC have for the Town Council grants committee regarding these applications?

BOSAC Role & Engagement Staff received feedback that BOSAC members would like clarification of their overall role and their desire to be more engaged and active both individually and as a Town Commission. Staff always appreciates feedback and will do our best to address concerns and explore ways in which to engage Commission members.

BOSAC was created in 1997 by Town ordinance. That original ordinance defined the role of BOSAC:

(1) Formulate and recommend to the Town Council for adoption an Open Space Plan. The Plan shall provide a general guide for the expenditure of funds by the Town Council from the Town's Open Space Fund, and shall be fully integrated with all open space-related Town programs and policies, such as the Town Master Plan, Trails Master Plan and the Recreation Master Plan. The Plan shall include, without limitation, policies and guidelines which:

(a) Establish the goals and objectives of a Town program for the acquisition, maintenance, protection and preservation of open space. (b) Define the types of open space to be acquired or protected by the Town using funds from the Town's Open Space Fund, which may include open space and historical and recreational properties and interests. (c) Identify the criteria to be used by the Town Council to select specific parcels for acquisition or other protection using funds from the Town's Open Space Fund. (d) Provide a process for the Commission and the public to provide input and recommendations to the Town Council concerning specific protective actions which the Town should take related to open space.

(2) Periodically recommend revisions to the Open Space Plan as and when requested by the Town Council.

(3) Advise the Town Council on all matters related to the implementation of the Open Space Plan, including, without limitation:

(a) Open Space Fund expenditures; (b) Identification of specific parcels to be acquired or otherwise protected under the Town's Open Space Plan; and (c) Suggested maintenance, stewardship and improvement proposals for properties to be acquired or otherwise protected under the Town's Open Space Plan.

(4) Continuously coordinate its efforts with other organizations and entities whose missions include the protection and stewardship of open space.

(5) Perform such other and further duties and responsibilities with respect to the Town's Open Space Acquisition Program as may, from time to time, be delegated by the Town Council, or which are provided for by Town ordinance.

10 (6) Nothing in this Chapter shall alter or abridge in any way the final authority of the Town Council to determine how to implement and operate the Town's Open Space Plan. Such authority shall include, without limitation, the final authority to determine which parcels of land are to be acquired or otherwise protected using funds from the Town's Open Space Fund.

The ordinance and the role it defined for BOSAC were very focused on Open Space acquisition and use of the Open Space Fund. Over time, the Open Space Plan and Trails Master Plan were created and subsequently revised with the input, feedback, and collaboration of BOSAC advising staff and Council. The Open Space program has continued to evolve throughout the past 20+ years as our portfolio of open space lands and trail network has grown, but the overarching big picture planning, policy direction, and advisory role of BOSAC has not changed.

BOSAC has always been a vital conduit of information exchange and feedback from the community of Breckenridge it represents. While BOSAC is an advisory commission that advises staff and Council on policies and direction, its members are encouraged to approach staff with big picture and policy items. Staff seeks time to research and organize these topics to then present them BOSAC in an organized fashion for larger discussion and recommendations to ensure that BOSAC has the information it needs to thoroughly vet topics. Additionally, BOSAC members remain vital ambassadors of the Open Space program, which is why staff provides monthly topics and information under the Staff Summary at each meeting; when topics arise in the community, members are asked to be well versed and up to speed, or to bring additional topics to staff to be discussed at BOSAC meetings.

The Open Space program has fast been evolving into a stewardship-based program, focused on maintaining and managing the extensive lands and trails in our portfolio. Acquisitions have generally slowed and become more strategic, just as new trail projects tend to focus on shorter, strategic neighborhood connections. Council has recently discussed revisiting and revising the Open Space Plan and Master Trails Plan, both of which have been on our radar for some time as stewardship activities demand greater attention and focus. The Destination Management Plan and COVID have helped reframe how we think and utilize our open spaces and trails and our commitment to all users. Following more direction from Council, staff will continue to seek the advice of BOSAC on the big picture and any suggested policy changes, including such things as our trail philosophy, trailhead services, maintenance and management both open space land and trails, and updates to the Open Space Plan and Master Trails Plan.

As a first step, BOSAC is encouraged to review the most recent Open Space Plan and Master Trails Plan to be prepared for further discussions over the winter months.

Staff requests BOSAC review the ordinance language and two plans and answer the following questions:

1. Would BOSAC like to discuss and/or have any questions about its role and expectations? 2. Does BOSAC want to fully review the Open Space Plan and Master Trails Plan and start making lists of which parts or components of each plan are still relevant, what might be missing, and which components should be removed or updated? 3. What recommendations does BOSSAC have for keeping more engaged and active? a. Are there areas in which BOSAC would like more discussion? b. Are there areas in which BOSAC would like additional training?

11 Anne Lowe Summit County Open Space and Trails Frisco, CO August 28, 2020

Re: Illinois Gulch Trail and Open Space Parcel

Anne,

Thanks ever so much for your time at our online meeting.

We very much appreciate you agreeing to take our request for an access easement to the BOSAC for their consideration.

To summarize our request:

We are in the process of gaining a P.U.D. approval for development of a single homesite on 21 acres made up of 5 mining claims, now zoned A-1. The property adjoins a Town Open Space Parcel on Boreas Pass Road. The homesite would accommodate a single-family primary home with an occupancy- restricted secondary unit.

Due to some minor wetlands on our property we are exploring other options for a driveway entrance onto Boreas Pass Road. The wetlands identified is very minor; with a seasonal spring appearing right where we want to put the driveway onto Boreas Pass road. While there is a process available to us to gain a permit for travel over the wetlands, we prefer to leave the wetlands undisturbed if at all possible.

We also studied driveway access on to the property from Highway 9. This option is possible without disturbing any wetlands, however, the route for the driveway would heavily impact the Illinois Gulch Trail now on the property. We consider this access option less attractive and prefer to establish a formal Easement for the Illinois Gulch trail and allow it to continue as an undisturbed link to the Blue River trail.

With a minor easement over the open space parcel we can avoid the wetlands completely, and the Illinois Gulch Trail link to the Blue River trail can remain intact.

We appreciate your consideration of this proposal and look forward to working with the Open Space committee on the Illinois Gulch trail.

Sincerely,

Ron Shelton

Listing Broker for Al Qatami Property Broker Associate LIV Sotheby’s Realty Breckenridge, CO

12 Boreas PassBrookstone Rd Ln

Brooks Hill Rd

Bright Hope Cir

Illinois Creek

State Hwy 9

Aspen Alley

CR 789

Blue River Trail

Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community

Little Mountain 0 75 150 300 450 Feet Al-Qatami Property TOB Trail Network Town Open Space Proposed Realignment

13 ! 14 15

August 10, 2020 Peyton Rogers, Executive Administration Assistant Town of Breckenridge 150 Ski Hill Road PO Box 1237 Breckenridge CO 80424

Dear Ms. Rogers:

Thank you for the $7,500 grant from the Town of Breckenridge to support Colorado Initiative’s work on Quandary Peak during 2020. While our brief work season is still under way— extending, we hope, through the first weekend in October—here is an update regarding how the Town’s funds were spent this year.

Adopt-a-Peak: The COVID-19 pandemic reached the just as CFI was planning its 2020 field season and recruiting volunteers for trail stewardship projects across the state. Every summer, CFI engages roughly 500 Adopt-a-Peak volunteers who work a total of more than 1,700 volunteer days. After extensive communication with our staff, board, federal agencies, health experts, and partner organizations, CFI regrettably decided to cancel most of our volunteer trail projects this season. We assembled a committee of three physicians (one a former Colorado State Epidemiologist/Health Officer) and an ICU nurse to help sort through options. In the end, the potential risks of bringing in this many volunteers and combining them with a young seasonal staff -who are likely to not feel symptoms or show signs of infection if sick -outweighed the rewards of additional productivity on projects. We reluctantly opted to make the most of our limited field season working exclusively with our paid professional trail crews in remote locations. In June, CFI’s Adopt-a- Peak crew, Field Projects Coordinator, and Field Programs Director spent four days working on Quandary Peak. The work performed each day was located well above timber line – near 14,000-feet in elevation. The project outcomes included constructing large rubble walls to better define the trail and keep hikers on route, as well as rebuilding existing structures

16 that have started to shift downhill due to gravity and foot traffic from the estimated 30,000+ hikers that ascend the peak each summer. Rebuilding some of these structures will be an annual task to ensure that hikers can follow the route to the summit, avoid trampling fragile alpine vegetation, and prevent visitors from becoming lost/injured and needing to be rescued.

Hiker Education: Despite not working with volunteers on trail stewardship projects, CFI will be fielding volunteer Peak Stewards this summer to help educate 14er hikers about Leave No Trace practices -from an appropriate social distance. With people cooped up for much of the spring and being urged to stay more than six feet away from others, there has been tremendous concern about people going off trail and trampling the sensitive alpine zones. This season, CFI was forced to rethink how Peak Steward training, typically an in-person event hosted on the trail, would be completed. A virtual webinar was hosted in June. More than 20 participants tuned in and the training video has an additional 260 views on YouTube. Thus far, six Peak Steward days have been spent on Quandary with a total of 685 hikers contacted about using Leave No Trace practices to minimize their recreational impact on the fragile alpine tundra landscape. CFI’s Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Clark has been communicating with volunteers more frequently which has ultimately led to increased participation in the Peak Stewards program.

Sustainable Trails Hiker Counts: For the seventh consecutive season CFI placed an infrared trail counter on Quandary Peak’s East Ridge to study hiking use. A counter installed on the East Ridge route collected data throughout the winter and was moved to its summer location on May 22nd. CFI staff removed snow from the trail which rerouted hikers onto the summer route and past the trail counter. Data has not yet been downloaded this season. CFI is pleased to report no gaps in the data collection throughout 2019. The charts attached show the daily hiker counts for 2019 along the East Ridge route.

17 Next week, CFI will release the fifth iteration of our report on Fourteener Hiking Use and Economic Impact. The preliminary estimates, not yet released to the public, reveals that 288,000 hiker use days occurred on Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in 2019. Furthermore, the report indicates that the more than a quarter of million hikers recreating on these iconic peaks contributed $78 million to Colorado’s statewide economy. Quandary Peak has always been considered one of the most trafficked peaks in the state. Our findings in this report reveal that 35,000-40,000 people visited Quandary Peak last year – nudging it above for the second consecutive season as the most hiked 14er in the state! The highest single day recorded on Quandary in 2019 was more than 1,000 hikers on Saturday, August 3rd. From this report we can estimate that hikers recreating on this peak generated more than $9 million for nearby trailhead communities like the Town of Breckenridge. The report highlights the need to protect these natural resources which provide a positive economic impact to local communities.

I hope this report provides a sense of the work that CFI has accomplished this summer with support from the Town of Breckenridge. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,

Brian J. Sargeant Development and Communications Manager 1511 Washington Ave., Suite 310, Golden CO 80401 303.278.7650 [email protected]

18

SUMMIT COUNTY COMMON GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2021

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 at NOON

SUBMITTED TO: Town of Breckenridge

ORGANIZATION NAME: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

MAILING ADDRESS: 1511 Washington Ave, Suite 310 Golden, CO 80401 (new address)

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 1511 Washington Ave, Suite 310 Golden, CO 80401 (new address)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Lloyd Athearn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR E-MAIL: [email protected]

GRANT CONTACT PERSON: Brian Sargeant

PHONE: (303) 278-7650 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB ADDRESS: www.14ers.org

IRS 501(c)(3) #: 84-1354844 COLORADO CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS #: 20083003539 (Registration numbers do not apply to Summit School District or government agencies)

GRANT APPLICATION WRITTEN BY: Volunteer Paid Staff Paid Grant writer

AMOUNT OF REQUEST: $7,500 FISCAL YEAR END: December 31, 2020

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST – 20 words or less:

CFI will perform trail maintenance, engage volunteers in trail stewardship, educate hikers, and collect hiking use data on Quandary Peak.

2019 Actual Operating Revenue $1,546,522 2019 Actual Operating Expenses $1,401,360 2020 Estimated Revenue $1,526,722 2020 Estimated Expenses $1,525,859 2021 Projected Operating Revenue N/A (2/2021) 2021 Projected Operating Expenses N/A (2/2021) % of Fundraising 0.49% (this grant) 15% (total fundraising) % BOD Contribution 100% (participation) 6.7% (total revenues)

______August 10, 2020 Signature, Authorized Agent Date

1

19 I. PURPOSE OF GRANT A. Describe the project/program(s) to be funded (250 words or less):

CFI will conduct four single-day volunteer trail stewardship projects in 2021 involving a minimum of 60 volunteer days to maintain 1.5 miles of trail. The goal is to repair heavily worn sections of trail above treeline where smaller rocks and scree have shifted downhill due to gravity and foot traffic from the estimated 30,000+ hikers that climb the peak each summer. CFI plans to build a handful of smaller backwalls, totaling 120 square feet, along the length of trail to control soil erosion. This grant will fund staff time planning the volunteer projects, directly recruiting and communicating with volunteers, and working with partner organizations, local businesses, youth camps, and individuals. If the COVID-19 pandemic still presents health and safety concerns for group projects, CFI may opt to cancel volunteer projects and utilize only paid seasonal trail crew members to complete the project objectives. CFI will place a TRAFx infrared trail counter on Quandary Peak’s East Ridge to monitor the number of hikers climbing this peak daily. Staff will hike the mountain to download data from the counters at least twice over the course of the summer and fall. This hiking use information allows CFI and the Forest Service to; track use and see how hiking use effects on-the-ground conditions, determine the need for continued trail maintenance and restoration work, and estimate the economic impact that 14er hikers provide to local trailhead economies. CFI will use its new “Mountain Safety” video series and volunteer Peak Stewards to better educate hikers.

B. Total number served by the program request (Please provide the number of unique individuals impacted, do not include duplicates):

Data from CFI’s infrared traffic counter revealed that an estimated 35,000-40,000 hiker use days occurred on Quandary Peak in 2019. Although this number is slightly less than prior estimates in 2018, this small drop in traffic can be attributed to an abnormally late snowpack which most likely deterred many hikers in the first half of the season. This updated estimate still shows Quandary Peak nudging past Mount Bierstadt to make it Colorado’s most-climbed Fourteener! CFI’s data estimates that the average daily use in 2019 was 249 hikers per day. On average, 675 people climbed the peak each Saturday in July and August – with the highest recorded figure surpassing 1,000 hikers in a single day. Although CFI’s infrared trail counters do not distinguish between unique and repeat visitors, we can assume that at least half of these hikers are visiting the peak only a single time each season. Anecdotally, we know that Quandary Peak is a popular location for first-time Fourteener hikers from out-of-state and can assume that a large percentage of the people served by this grant will be unique individuals.

C. What impact will this program make in the community and how will you measure that impact (250 words or less):

Without CFI’s leadership, the Fourteeners–especially high-use peaks like Quandary Peak–will be overrun and sustain severe ecological damage, possibly irreversible. The Forest Service lacks the capacity to build and maintain sustainable trails, monitor visitor use trends, and educate visitors about minimum-impact techniques. Prolonged budget cuts and staffing reductions mean that on most forests, trail work is performed by volunteer stewardship organizations. If CFI has inadequate financial capacity to perform these projects, no other entity will take its place. If CFI is unable to protect Quandary Peak’s summit trail and surrounding terrain from user- caused resource impacts, the Forest Service will likely resort to hiker use limitations to control impacts. This would have a negative impact on one of Summit County’s most prominent tourist destinations, putting a significant dent (estimated at $9 million annually) in the county’s tourism economy.

CFI’s trail maintenance, reconstruction, and vegetation restoration work is very tangible, measured in quantifiable statistics including linear feet of trail maintained, number and type of trail structures installed, and 2

20 surface area of terrain restored. This information is tracked annually to show progress on individual peaks and across the Fourteeners statewide. The USFS reviews work to ensure it is completed satisfactorily and will pass the test of time. Process inputs, like the number of volunteers, hours worked, age and gender of participants is tracked and reported annually. CFI also tracks visitor contacts made by crews and volunteer Peak Stewards, which helps gauge the organization’s educational presence among the hiking public.

D. If there is additional information that is vital to convey in this proposal, such as financial, legal, operational or administrative clarifications, please do so here:

CFI’s Sustainable Trails Program has inventoried baseline conditions on all the constructed 14er trails and many of the most popular user-created summit trails that have not yet been properly reconstructed. These detailed, foot-by-foot, GPS-linked baseline inventories have been conducted on most of the Fourteener summit routes, which inventory every constructed feature (rock steps, retaining walls, etc.) and all identified resource impacts (trail braiding, erosion, trampled vegetation, etc.). These baseline inventories allow CFI to compare the relative conditions of the existing trail network, as well as prioritize future maintenance work and quantify the amount of work needed to bring a particular trail up to standard and estimate its cost and staff time to do so. This project helps ensure that limited funding and time are devoted to the trails that most need maintenance and restoration work. Estimates of work required and the costs of completing this work were completed in 2015 and presented to funders and the public in the form of the “14er Statewide Report Card.”

After three seasons (2016-2018) of intensive trail reconstruction work by CFI’s two-person fixed-site crew, the on-the-ground conditions of Quandary Peak have improved dramatically. In 2019, CFI released its second “14er Statewide Report Card” which shows updated route conditions on 14er peaks across the state. CFI’s report revealed that the trail conditions on Quandary Peak improved from a C+ in 2011 to an A- in 2018. Since 2011, CFI invested more than $220,000 in paid staff labor and an additional 1,322 days of volunteer stewardship to help protect this fragile, yet extremely popular mountain.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative has been studying hiking use on Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks using infrared trail counters since 2014. In 2020, after four full seasons with 20+ thermal counters in the field, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative will release the fourth iteration of our report on hiking use. The preliminary data, which will be released to the public next week, estimates that Colorado’s 14ers experienced 288,000 hiker use days in 2019. This represents a decrease of roughly 18% (65,000 person days less) compared to CFI’s 2018 estimate of 353,000 hiker use days. The decrease in hiking use can be directly correlated to snow-free trails in 2018 due to drought contrasted with lingering snowpack and avalanche debris in 2019. These factors contributed to a large swing in 14er use over the past two seasons. June hiking use last year was 55% below 2018 levels.

This level of recreational use suggests a statewide economic impact of more than $78 million, based on past 14er-related expenditure studies performed by Colorado State University economists John Loomis and Catherine Keske. Their 2009 study found that climbers of Quandary Peak near Breckenridge spent an average of $271.17 per day for gasoline, food, lodging, equipment, and other retail purchases.

The combined efforts to monitor on-the-ground trail impacts and the change in hiking use over time that is driving some of this impact help ensure that CFI is directing resources into the trails that need it most to ensure that past investments are protected over time. This data also reveals that despite Quandary Peak showing the highest levels of use in the state, dedicated trail reconstruction efforts on an annual basis ensures that trail conditions can be maintained or even improved! 3

21 E. Indicate the date you will submit your Final Project Report:

CFI’s field season ends in early October, so any report submitted alongside a new proposal will be an interim report. CFI plans to submit an interim report in August 2021 and a final report before December 31, 2021.

II. GRANT REQUEST WORK PLAN:

Trail Stewardship: Recruit Adopt-a-Peak volunteer groups and schedule projects sufficient to achieve the quantitative and qualitative goals (four projects and 60+ volunteer days), hire eight-person Adopt-a-Peak trail leadership crew that will generally operate as two independent four-person crews.

Sustainable Trails: Utilize core staff to place a tree-mounted TRAFx infrared trail counter mid-way up the East Ridge route. Download data at least twice from June through October as snow conditions allow.

Peak Stewards: 1) Hold local recruitment and training event in and the Summit County area. 2) Ask each trained volunteer to put in at least four days educating hikers on the peak. 3) Monitor and provide on-going contact to ensure participation does not drop off throughout the summer

Note: if you have multiple strategies, please complete a separate work plan table for each.

Activities to Achieve Quantifiable Results Qualitative Results Timeline Responsible Strategy of Strategy of Strategy Party Recruit Adopt-a-Peak Schedule four Adopt-a- Engaged local volunteers 10/2020 to Benjamin Hanus partner groups from the Peak projects with an with greater capabilities to 10/2021 (Field Programs community or groups with estimated 60+ volunteer perform needed trail Director) and strong ties to Quandary Peak days donated. maintenance work Hannah Clark and Summit County. (Volunteer Coordinator)

Recruit, hire, train and Quandary Peak: Strengthened partnerships Post positions by Benjamin Hanus deploy Adopt-a-Peak crews -Friends of Dillon Ranger with new and returning 1/2021, (Field Programs (2 crews with 4 members District (1 day, 10 people) partner organizations hire by 3/2021, Director) and each) -YMCA Camp Chief train by 5/2021, Lloyd Athearn Ouray (2 days, 20 people) deploy by 6/2021 (Executive -Bold Earth Teen Director) Adventures (1 day, 10 people) -CFI Recruited Volunteers (1 day, 20 people)

Lloyd Athearn Schedule TRAFx unit Obtain accurate hiking use Gain a more accurate Place trail counter (Executive installation, revisit site at data on Quandary Peak. understanding of hiking in 6/2021, check Director) and least twice to download data use patterns and how twice throughout Brian Sargeant from counter, and remove those link to on-the- summer, remove (Development counter in fall. ground conditions and from field 10/2021 and economic impact for Communications trailhead communities. Manager)

4

22

Secure volunteer to assist Motivate Peak Steward Better educated hikers on Peak Steward Hannah Clark with the Peak Stewards volunteers to provide on- the high-use 14ers near the volunteer training (Volunteer program and hold trainings mountain hiker contacts. like sessions held in Coordinator) as necessary Quandary Peak 5/2021 and 6/2021

III. AGENCY INFORMATION A. Organization History and include year organization was established (100 words or less):

CFI was formed in 1994 as a partnership of nonprofit organizations, concerned individuals and public agencies, including the Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Outward Bound School, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Leave No Trace Center, and the US Forest Service. A 1993 study noted significant environmental impacts on the Fourteeners due to rapidly expanding recreational use. Since its inception, CFI has become the country’s leading organization building sustainable trails at high altitudes, restoring damaged alpine tundra and providing on-mountain hiker education. By 2021, CFI will have completed trail reconstruction projects on 33 routes located on 30 peaks.

B. Organization Mission Statement (75 words or less):

To protect and preserve the natural integrity of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks through active stewardship and public education.

C. Give a brief overview of your most impactful programs and recent key accomplishments (250 words or less):

CFI a) constructs sustainably located summit routes and restores closed routes, b) mobilizes volunteer “Adopt-a-Peak” trail stewardship projects, c) performs intensive backcountry trail maintenance through hired crews, d) inventories and monitors conditions on previously constructed summit trails to prioritize maintenance needs, and e) educates hikers about minimum impact techniques to protect fragile alpine ecosystems. By 2021, CFI will have constructed 33 sustainable routes on 30 peaks. In 2020, CFI began the final season of a four-year trail construction project on , as well as the fifith-and-final year of an intensive trail construction project on Mount Columbia. Major trail reconstruction work was performed on Quandary Peak between 2016-2018. In 2018, CFI mobilized an all-time-record 2,150 volunteer days of trail maintenance and stewardship working on 78 projects. Since 2001, CFI has performed more than 19,000 days of volunteer trail stewardship on the fourteeners.

In January 2017, CFI signed the final land-transfer agreement to become the owner of three mining claims atop the summit of Mount – near Salida. The purchase will allow CFI and the USFS to plan and implement a new sustainably aligned summit route on what has long been among the top statewide priorities for future trail development. Once CFI has completed the trail reconstruction and restoration on Shavano’s summit route, the land will be donated to the USFS so that it can become part of the publicly owned 14er trail system.

5 23 IV. ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDING & SUPPORT - A. Detailed Sources of Funding for the Organization

Estimated Amount Amount Amount Amount Amount Committed SOURCE OF FUNDS Awarded Requested Awarded Requested for 2021 (if in 2019 for 2020 in 2020 for 2021 any)

Government Support Town of Breckenridge $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $7,500 $0 Town of Dillon $0 $500 $0 $0 $0 Town of Frisco $500 $500 $500 $500 $0 Town of Silverthorne $0 $500 $0 $0 $0 Summit County Government $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 State Government Sources $214,337 $129,438 $128,438 N/A N/A Federal Government Sources $121,601 $122,630 $122,630 N/A N/A Corporate/Business Support Multiple Corporate Donors $155,204 $136,545 $29,000 N/A N/A Other Local Government Sources $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 N/A N/A Private Foundation Support Multiple Foundation Donors $25,249 $319,000 $262,500 N/A N/A National Forest Foundation $310,586 $330,664 $330,664 N/A N/A Private Individual Donor Support $539,824 $466,500 $161,055 N/A N/A

Earned Revenues (i.e., fees for N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A service, etc. be specific)

Other (Please specify) Interest/ Endowment / Misc. $24,520 $2,945 $2,945 N/A N/A TOTAL SOURCES OF $1,409,321 $1,526,722 $1,055,232 N/A N/A FUNDING

6 24 V. ATTACHMENTS - please provide the requested information listed below and attach to the completed application from above; save as one, complete document; and submit electronically via email as one single pdf attachment; if you are unable to submit in this method, please submit one paper copy of the full application.

A-1. Program Budget – Please attach a detailed proposed budget for each project/program for which funds are being requested. Please attach additional budgets as needed to identify all sources of funds and expenses. If you are asking for general operating funds, this does NOT need to be attached.

A-2. Complete funding history of grants received from the organization to which you are applying. Be specific by year, amount received and cumulative total.

A-3. Detailed current year budget for the entire organization. (Does not apply to government agencies or the school district.)

A-4. Most recent year-end financial statement (actual vs. budget) and balance sheet for the organization. Most recent audit is acceptable. (Does not apply to government agencies or the school district.)

A-5. Current year-to-date statement (actual vs. budget) and balance sheet for the organization. (July 31, 2019 or more recent) (Does not apply to government agencies or the school district.)

A-6. List of Board of Trustees/Directors including name and occupation of each board member.

A-7. Organizational Chart (illustrating your administrative structure).

A-8. I.R.S. 990 tax return.

A-9. APPLIES TO FIRST TIME APPLICANTS OR IF I.R.S. STATUS HAS CHANGED – provide the 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter.

7 25 Attachment A-1

Quandary Peak Trail Reconstruction SUSTAINABLE PEAK ADOPT TOTAL Project Budget 2021 TRAILS STEWARDS Individual Contributions $ 2,000 $ 500 $ 500 $ 3,000 Corporate Support $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Foundations $ 3,000 $ 1,950 $ 4,950 State and Local Government Grants $ 9,500 $ 9,500 National Forest Foundation $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Town of Breckenridge $ 6,500 $ 1,000 $ - $ 7,500 Total Revenues $ 16,500 $ 3,450 $ 500 $ 26,950

Food/per-diem $ 640 $ 80 $ 720 Field Programs Manager - Field Time $ 1,669 $ 1,669 Field Programs Manager - Planning $ 1,252 $ 1,252

Field Programs Manager - Volunteer Coordination $ 417 $ 417 Executive Director - Field Time $ 1,340 $ 1,340 $ 2,680 Development and Communications Manager - Field Time $ 620 $ 620 Volunteer Coordinator - Planning $ 835 $ 1,017 $ 1,852 Volunteer Coordinator - Field Time $ 1,113 $ 1,113 Field Projects Coordinator - Field Time $ 1,416 $ 1,416 Satellite Phone/Spot $ 200 $ 500 $ 700 Equipment $ 857 $ 500 $ 1,357 Uniforms $ 300 $ 300 Training $ 1,000 $ 509 $ 1,509 Crew A Leader $ 912 $ 912 Crew A Intern $ 624 $ 624 Crew A Member #1 $ 824 $ 824 Crew A Member #2 $ 800 $ 800 Crew B Leader $ 892 $ 892 Crew B Intern $ 624 $ 624 Crew B Member #2 $ 824 $ 824 Crew B Member #3 $ 800 $ 800 Contract Leaders $ - $ - Bonuses $ 162 $ 162 Groover $ 50 $ 50 Volunteer Appreciation $ 1,143 $ 500 $ 1,643 Travel $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 2,500 Total Expenses $ 19,693 $ 4,540 $ 2,026 $ 26,259

NET $ (3,193) $ (1,090) $ (1,526) $ 691

26 Attachment A-2

History of Summit County Local Government Grants Cumulative Total: Town of Breckenridge: $26,000 Town of Dillon: $1,500 Town of Silverthorne: $2,000 Town of Frisco: $1,500

2020: Town of Breckenridge: $7,500 Town of Frisco: $500

2019: Town of Breckenridge: $7,500 Town of Frisco: $500

2018: Town of Breckenridge: $2,500 Town of Frisco: $500

2017: Town of Breckenridge: $2,500 Town of Silverthorne: $500

2016: Town of Breckenridge: $2,500 Town of Dillon: $500 Town of Silverthorne: $500

2015: Town of Breckenridge: $2,500 Town of Dillon: $500 Town of Silverthorne: $500

2014: Town of Breckenridge: $1,000 Town of Dillon: $500 Town of Silverthorne: $500

Funding not requested in prior years

27 Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Attachment A-3 2020 Budget Summary

Sustainable Peak Stewards Development Programs CFI Trails Adopt Elbert Columbia Grays/Torreys Lake City and Outreach and Marketing (General) Administrative Total Support and Revenue: Contributions Foundations $ 3,500 $ 56,500 $ 38,000 $ 75,000 $ 21,000 $ 120,000 $ 5,000 $ 319,000 National Forest Foundation $ 92,622 $ 80,000 $ 56,566 $ 25,000 $ 25,419 $ 279,607 National Forest Foundation - Capacity Building $ 4,955 $ 16,989 $ 16,989 $ 9,202 $ 3,014 $ 51,149 Corporate $ 40,954 $ 56,000 $ 10,000 $ 29,500 $ 136,454 46 $ - $ 30,000 $ 436,500 $ 466,500 Government Grants State Trails $ 66,235 $ 12,884 $ 6,494.20 $ 33,375.34 $ 5,949 $ 124,938 Forest Service $ 22,000 $ 100,630 $ 122,630 Local Governments $ 4,000 $ 14,500 $ 5,000 $ 23,500 Special Events $ - Other Income $ 2,945 $ 2,945

Total Support and Revenue $ 7,500 $ 186,088 $ 160,495 $ 257,989 $ 94,060 $ 178,375 $ 10,000 $ 466,000 $ 31,202 $ 135,012 $ 1,526,722

Expenses: Field Expenses and Seasonal Wages $ 5,000 $ 120,492 $ 120,825 $ 222,724 $ 64,875 $ 127,867 $ 2,000 $ 30,500 $ 694,283 Field Wages - Staff $ 21,633 $ 88,184 $ 37,199 $ 26,480 $ 23,216 $ 26,956 $ 69,460 $ 86,550 $ 379,680 Development & Marketing $ 10,000 $ 48,250 $ 58,250 Staff Payroll and Expenses $ 87,166 $ 123,781 $ 210,947 Other Administrative Expenses $ 2,000 $ 11,700 $ 36,900 $ 82,100 $ 132,700 Finisher Event $ 15,000 $ 15,000 New Vehicle Needs (Trucks + Toppers) $ 15,000 $ 15,000 Planned Transfer to Reserves $ 20,000 $ 20,000 Total Expenses $ 26,633 $ 208,676 $ 158,024 $ 249,204 $ 88,092 $ 154,823 $ 83,460 $ 162,116 $ 168,950 $ 225,881 $ 1,525,859

Net $ (19,133) $ (22,587) $ 2,471 $ 8,785 $ 5,969 $ 23, 552 $ (73,460) $ 303,884 $ (137,748) $ (90,869) $ 863

Confidence of funding color coding: Funding obtained or pledged $ 636,085 Requests sent or planned to recent past funders $ 454,138 Individual gifts not specifically pledged $ 436,500 New solicitations and/or no recent history

28 Friends of the Dillon Ranger District Town of Breckenridge: 2020 Grant Report

The COVID-19 restrictions forced an early end to our winter season activities including youth programs, public educational and recreation events, and our Ski with a Ranger Program. It also delayed the start of our summer trail project season until early July and cancelled numerous FDRD spring & summer fundraising events. However, we were able to move all of our June educational hikes to an online format and we completed some productive trail work with just FDRD staff members. And we pivoted somewhat in designing new individual forest stewardship projects and programs to start our outdoor season in late May to help keep our volunteers safe and healthy. During the course of the remainder of the summer FDRD did offer nearly the same number of youth, trail and educational events in July – September as in past years, but limited the number of participants. So, while our number of youth and adult volunteers will decrease this year, FDRD is still able to operate close to normal given our outdoor-based activities. And FDRD staff worked from home or outdoors to complete our tasks.

Gold Hill Trailhead- FDRD has adopted a section of the Colorado Trail from the Gold Hill parking lot to the ridge (8.8 miles) of the Ten Mile Range. The lower section of the trail has significant erosion damage from early season run-off so numerous, large drainage dips were installed in the summer of 2020 to remove the water from the tread. Additionally, 15’ of rock wall was installed to help reinforce structures that are keeping water from the trail. These efforts will be monitored and addressed again in 2021 after we see the results of inevitable winter storms.

Horseshoe Gulch Trail (Dredge)- FDRD staff and volunteers continued ongoing efforts on the ever-popular Horseshoe Gulch Trail early in the 2020 season. Erosion issues were dealt with by installing drainage dips and reinforcing the tread with some rock armoring. Further down the trail, we spent two different project workdays to fill in a tread that had become severely cupped. We filled these areas with rock and mineral soil making the tread flat and much more easily passible. This “pedal thwacking” project has received positive community reviews as it has been an issue for many years at this location. Finally, we recapped a turnpike, or elevated trail structure, with more mineral soil as larger rock and geotextile material were starting to show through. The tread surface on this structure is now much more stable and firm for recreational use. Additionally, and aesthetically, it blends in much more with our high-alpine, mountain landscape.

29 Spruce Creek Trail –Despite a restricted number of volunteers due to COVID protocols, we were able to complete a 24’ long, burly turnpike after (3) full project days at this location. The resource damage on this beautiful location has become a serious issue but structures like the ones installed by FDRD staff and volunteers allow visitors to stay on the trail and off of the sensitive environment adjacent to the walking surface. Numerous failing structures have been identified throughout the 2020 season at Spruce Creek and plans are underway to fundraise and implement a workplan to remove the old structures and install the new ones. Up to (4) different plank bridges have been identified for future attention.

Peaks Trail – FDRD and USFS staff have spent some time throughout this past summer scouting the Peaks Trail (from the Breck side) and have identified several structures that are in need of repair. Due to funding shortages and the COVID challenges, we were not able to tackle these projects this year. We look forward to beginning the repair of these dangerous sections in 2021. Additionally, we coordinated a project with Snowy Peaks High School to come out to repair some boardwalk boards that have been missing or damaged over time. The youth also cleared back some encroaching bushes and willows to allow for a more enjoyable, unencumbered ride.

Quandary Peak Trail – We were disappointed to not have the opportunity to work with the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative this season but certainly respected and supported their decision to not hold volunteer projects during the pandemic. We look forward to rejuvenating this partnership in 2021.

Side Door Trail—COVID again caused us to halt mass-volunteer efforts with the Town of Breckenridge. We always enjoy our partnership with Tony and the trail crew employed by the Town and will anticipate further ways to collaborate in 2021.

30 I OW N U~ DILLON SILVERTHORNE BHCKENl!IDGE C O LORI\DO

SUMMIT COUNTY COMMON GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2021

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, A UGUST 12, 2020 at NOON

SUBMITTED TO: Town of Breckenridge

ORGANIZATION NAME: Friends of the Dillon Ranger District

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 1648, Silverthorne, CO 80498

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 680 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne, CO 80498

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Michael Connolly

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATOR E-MAIL: [email protected]

GRANT CONT ACT PERSON: Michael Connolly

PHONE: 970-262-3449 E-MAIL: michael((4fdrd.org WEB ADDRESS: fdrd.org

IRS 501(c)(3) #: 20-2343008 COLORADO CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS #: 20113007405

GRANT APPLICATION WRITTEN BY: 0 Volunteer X Paid Staff O Paid Grant writer

AMOUNT OF REQUEST: $15,000 FISCAL YEAR EN D: December 31, 2021

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST:

Completion of numerous urgent trail maintenance, wildlife habitat improvement and forest stewardship projects throughout the Breckenridge and Blue River area

2019 Actual Operating Revenue $449,178 2019 Actual Operating Expenses $448,026 2020 Estimated Revenue $465,268 2020 Estimated Expenses $465,200 2021 Projected Operating Revenue $364,000 2021 Projected Operating Expenses $362,000 % of Fundraising 4.1 % % BOD Contribution 100%

Date I I

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