Dear Commissioners Gardner, Jones and Jones

(also submitted as a LTE to the Daily Camera)

Dear Commissioners Gardner, Jones and Jones,

Have you heard about the latest trend in Covid-safe community music called “car horn orchestras”? A bunch of cars with different sheet music honking out tunes! How would you like to live near that? Perfectly legal since they gather just far enough away from any homes to stay below the 65 decibels legal level. But still, you can hear them honking from miles around. A similar noise issue happens up in North Boulder all the time with the gun shooting range. It is just outside the city line and borders open space, and you can hear them from far away, although none of the sound levels are “illegal”. It’s the constant pop-pop-pop of AR-15’s in the distance that spoils a serene walk in Open Space or an afternoon in the garden. And now the County Commissioners are considering a vote to allow the gun club to more than double their size. This is very controversial even although no one has heard much about it because the public process has been less than minimal. And it isn’t just a noise pollution problem because the expansion will be built upon an old chemical dump that in 1998 the previous County Commissioners decided to place into a conservation easement so it would never be developed, and then they decided to bury it all under ten feet of new fill dirt at great expense. Here’s what really stinks. Two of the three current County Commissioners will be lame ducks after this election, yet they want to take this significant act of overturning a previous decision by Commissioners Ron Stewart, Paul Danish and Jana Mendez to create a permanent conservation easement. If this is so important to Boulder residents to satisfy some need for increased gun- shooting infrastructure, which is highly doubtful, then that needs to be shown. But the whole public process related to this project has been practically nonexistent. This gun club shooting range expansion appears to be a pet project of one of our lame duck commissioners, and she’s pushing to get it done before she leaves office. That’s not right. This decision needs to be handed over to the new County Commissioners and a full public process needs to occur. I doubt very much if the residents of Boulder are the heavy users of this shooting range such that a huge expansion is needed, yet we will suffer the negative impacts forever into the future.

Sincerely, Eric Lombardi Boulder County resident President, Buy Social USA (www.BuySocialUSA.org ) "Corporate and Government Purchasing for People & Planet" From: Barbara O"Barr To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Shooting ranges Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 8:54:25 AM

Regarding Docket numbers SE-20-0008 & SU-19-0009, my opinion is that any shooting range within hearing distance of other human beings should be enclosed in a sound proofed building. In 2015 I was living close to Cherry Creek State Park to be near my father who was in hospice. It was a terribly stressful and sad time for me and I desperately needed the healing of nature and the relaxation of walking. I purchased a Cherry Creek state park pass so that I could walk on the paths to regroup and try to restore my sanity. Instead, I found that the noise from the adjacent shooting range was so continuous and disturbing that I was unable to enjoy my walks. After a few attempts I gave up and never tried to walk there again, my park pass fee going to waste and having no other place in nature to walk in quiet and peace. I was able to escape the noise, please don't do this to people living in the area. Not everyone is sensitive to sound but many people ARE! Thank you for your time! From: Sharon Simmons To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Shooting Range Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 9:25:21 AM

Hi Boulder County Planner,

I am a gun owner and have been to this range. I have friends who go there. My opinion as a boulder county resident and have friends in that area/who live there....this is not a good location to expand right now. I think they could go out north a bit and be fine, but they are WAY to close to so many people there. Several housing groups are right to the WEST of it. My mom was in Boulder Meadows and the noise would be much higher and traffic way more.

I say no. Thank you for letting me give my opinion.

Sharon J Simmons 5000 Butte Street #36, Boulder CO 80301 Reiki Master/Teacher-Usui Ryoko Red Direction / A Second Office / Lyft Business and Professional Women of Boulder-Past President 2016/2018 BPW Colorado VP 2017-2020 Women's Lobby of Colorado Cities for CEDAW Task Force Secretariat/Co-Founder Human Relations Commission-City of Boulder 2018-2020 Women's Collaborative of Boulder County UN Delegate to NGO CSW61 2017 From: [email protected] To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SE-20-0008, SU-19-0009 Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 12:20:03 PM

Dear Planner,

Please do not approve the above Dockets re opening an outdoor shooting range in North Boulder. Gunfire is not what needs to be heard in our neighborhoods. It will cause fear, anxiety, for all of us, especially young children. In my case, I have PTSD and it would affect me as I am sure many others, too. Hopefully, another location far removed from living areas could be found. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Nina H. Meyers From: elena To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: No on SU 19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 4:31:12 AM

To the County Commissioners, I am a Niwot resident and 45 year Boulder County resident. I urge you to not approve the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club. We do not need something that is going to make a large part of the county into something that sounds like a war zone. Other areas rejected this bad idea for obvious reasons. I hike and birdwatch in that area regularly and go to Harlequins Gardens nursery for plants. There needs to be studies on the acoustic impacts, wildlife and bird impacts, and the environmental impacts of construction in a former chemical dump. More neighbors are against it in the area that would be impacted. This is a project that belongs in Weld County, where there are more open spaces and people who use military weapons. We don’t need or want this is Boulder County. Thank you for considering this.

Sent from my iPhone Elena Holly Klaver Federally Certified Court Interpreter Conference Interpreter English <> Spanish 303 475 5189

Member: American Translators Association Colorado Translators Association Pronouns: she, her, hers

I acknowledge that I live in the territory of Hinóno’éí (Arapaho), Cheyenne and Ute Nations, according to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, and that Colorado’s Front Range is home to many Native peoples. Reconozco que vivo en el territorio de las naciones Hinóno’éí (Arapaho), Cheyenne y Ute, según el 1851 Tratado de Fort Laramie, y que el estado de Colorado al esté de las Montañas Rocosas es territorio de muchos pueblos indígenas. From: MICHAEL DAVISON To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:11:03 AM

I strongly oppose this measure to install a shooting range in this area

Michael Davison Boulder, CO 80301 From: Lauren Casalino To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Re: SU-19-0009. Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:13:28 AM

Please know that I am strongly opposed to approval of SU-19-0009

Please protect the quality of life of many residents who will be negatively impacted by so much if this expansion occurs, as well as the many, many people who spend time on nearby open space.

Thank you,

Lauren Casalino 4436 Driftwood Pl. Boulder, CO 80301 From: Diane Rieck To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Rifle club expansion Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:21:02 AM

I would like to voice to strong opposition for expansion of the Rifle Club. It’s too big, too close, too loud and would negatively impact long cherished nearby hiking trails. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I am not anti-second amendment just anti this poorly designed expansion. Shame on those pushing this forward. While those areas in forest land have restricted some of the past spots available for shooting practice this is a horrible substitution.

Diane Rieck 3766 Barbados Place Boulder, CO 80301

From: Connie Redak To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Boulder Rifle Club Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:21:18 AM

I have lived in my house at 2295 Topaz Drive in Boulder County for close to 50 years. I have not enjoyed the sound of gunfire coming from the rifle club over the years and have noticed that it is getting louder and more frequent as the years go by. I am pretty upset by the plans to enlarge the range to such an extent that land swaps are necessary (involving conservation easements), that there will be a range for high powered rifles and generally a huge increase in noise and traffic. A facility of this kind will attract people from near and far. This part of Boulder is no longer out in the boonies. There are trails near this area and many of us use them, There are also many more houses than there used to be. The sound of gunshot travels very far. Many of us have a fear of guns and the sound of them nearby is very stressful. I personally have had enough of the shooting and am urging the commissioners to reject this application. From: Donharl To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: RE{ SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:32:56 AM

County Commissioners:

I oppose the Rifle Club expansion.

It’s wrong to use former Boulder County open space for this massively inappropriate project.

The noise, the stray bullets, etc., will adversely affect any people who live in the area, the wildlife, and the many people who hike, bike and horseback ride at Boulder Valley Ranch.

There is also concern over toxicity of the soil that will be disturbed during the expansion.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON THIS ILL ADVISED PROPOSAL.

Thank you,

Margaret Donharl

North Boulder resident and hiker and wildlife sympathizer From: Connie Redak To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: letter Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:36:28 AM

Connie Redak 2295 Topaz Drive Boulder, CO 80304 [email protected] From: A XS To: #LandUsePlanner Cc: Boulder County Board of Commissioners Subject: Boulder Rifle Club Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:42:22 AM

I am writing to state my support for the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club.

I live in the city of Boulder but also have property in western Boulder County that borders national forest.

I support the shooting sports and hunting as legitimate recreation that many residents in Boulder engage in.

I have used the Boulder Rifle Club from time to time when it is open to the public (I'm not a member).

It's obvious that a private enterprise that wished to build and operate a new shooting range in Boulder County has no chance of being approved, so expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club is needed in its own right - not just as a piece of Boulder County's hope that the USFS will ban shooting on its managed lands in Boulder County.

The arguments against the expansion (as reported in the Daily Camera) reflect knee-jerk, anti- gun animosity and NIMBY mentality by people who moved into the area of the Boulder Rifle Club.

For a change, please think about and vote for what's best for all of us who live in Boulder County and not just what fits my fellow Boulderites' narrow view of being a good neighbor and vote in favor of the expansion.

Andrew Spiegel Boulder, CO USA This email is not viewed daily From: michelle jung To: [email protected]; #LandUsePlanner Subject: Su19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:50:51 AM

Regarding expanding the rifle club

Please vote against this. It is already too close to open space where people love to hike, next to neighborhoods where children play and on toxic land that will release poisons if disturbed.

We don’t need it

Thank you, Michelle Jung

Sent from my iPad From: Bernice German To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: RE. SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:52:26 AM

This email is to voice my strong opposition to increasing the size of the shooting facility. The fact that a public study on toxins has not been done is inexcusable. The shooting range that was in Lafayette (off of S. Boulder Road) required an extensive clean-up of toxins when it was repurposed.

In addition, the noise is already horrible. It’s horrible for me and my dogs, and I have to think that the eagles feel the same.

PLEASE do not allow the expansion.

Regards, Bernice German

3695 Darley Avenue Boulder 80305 303-903-1367 From: michelle jung To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Su-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:52:59 AM

Su-19-0009 Regarding expanding the rifle club

Please vote against this. It is already too close to open space where people love to hike, next to neighborhoods where children play and on toxic land that will release poisons if disturbed.

We don’t need it

Thank you, Michelle Jung From: Nicole Speer To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Re: SU-19-0009 — say no to expanding the Boulder Rifle Club Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:03:36 AM

Hello,

I am a Boulder resident writing to express my opposition to the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club. This expansion would lead to excessive noise for North Boulder residents, preschool and elementary students and teachers, wildlife, and those who recreate on the 3,000 acres of open space bordering the area. Please vote no on this expansion.

Thank you, Nicole Speer From: Pat Shanks To: #LandUsePlanner; Jones, Elise; Jones, Matt; Gardner, Deb Cc: Rebecca Dickson; Bhatt; Kirk Cunningham Subject: Sierra Club opposes Boulder Rifle Club expansion Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:36:20 AM Attachments: SC opposition to Boulder Rifle Club expansion 2020-11-3.pdf

Following and attached is the Sierra Club Indian Peaks Group Conservation Committee position on the proposed expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club facilities.

Thank you for considering our position.

Pat Shanks [email protected] 303-819-3315 ------

The Sierra Club Indian Peaks Group Conservation Committee opposes expansion of the shooting range at the Boulder Rifle Club.

The Planning Commission voted 3-2 against this on August 19. Four commission members were excused from this meeting, but they still had a quorum. This resolution against the expansion should be taken very seriously. The Planning Commission has broad planning experience and expertise, and their determination that this would be a bad land-use decision is a sound one.

The expansion area is part of the Area III Rural Preservation land use designation in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and is proximal to the Area III Planning Reserve. The Planning Reserve may be developed sometime in the not-that-distant future. City planning staff currently are conducting a study of needed infrastructure for possible development there and any gun range near residential and possible mixed-use development is not good planning.

The county has struggled with excessive shooting on National Forest lands in Boulder County, which makes trails unsafe for hikers and other users and results in vegetation destruction including trees. We believe the county is hopeful that expansion at the Boulder Rifle Club will get shooters out of the forest and into "safe" facilities. We believe this is a false hope. There is no guarantee that shooting on forest lands will be less desirable because of this facility, or that the USFS would be able to regulate or enforce any restrictions on shooting on forest lands.

Expanding the Boulder Rifle Club footprint is a terrible idea, especially because of visual, noise, traffic, construction, and environmental impacts on adjacent City of Boulder Open Space.

Expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club would include excavation at the old north Boulder dump site. A 1988 EPA report shows some samples with organic contamination. The EPA report was done 32 years ago, and analytical testing abilities are infinitely better now. Contaminants were detected in some samples, but many analyses were at or below detection limits. An environmental impact report with up to date sampling and analyses is needed before any approval should be considered.

And the whole idea of a test range for sniper rifles and assault weapons is appalling.

Pat Shanks [email protected]

From: Set To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: reject bolder rifle club expansion Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:44:04 AM

Please reject any expansion of boulder rifle club’s number of ranges etc. Shooting of high power rifles etc. is completely incompatable with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thanks,

Set

30+ year boulder resident

Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives all by itself

From: Cathy Allen To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:48:38 AM

Please oppose this. Terrible idea!

Cathy Allen 262 Sruce Boulder From: Glenn Donharl To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:51:34 AM Attachments: blob.png

To: Planner and Boulder County Commissioners,

I am registering my opposition to the proposed Rifle Range Expansion.

I have been a resident of Boulder for 50 years and have spent many days in the open space adjacent to the proposed expansion of the range. The proposed expansion:

Absorbs too much open space (provide an adequate map of proposal) and reduces my access to safe areas without gunfire - too big, too close, too noisy Has not been adequately studied for community (residential/traffic) impact (noise/safety) and has not provided adequate communication to impacted residents - too close, too loud, too little community involvement Will be an impact on wildlife in the area - too close, too loud, environmental impact needed Should be located further from current residents - find other County relocation places

Best Regards

Glenn Donharl 1150 Orange Place Boulder, Colorado 80304 From: John Campagnoli To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Boulder Rifle Club Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:51:38 AM

I am a resident of Boulder County and have lived in the local wildland urban interface for over 40 years. I strongly support the proposed expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club. Over these years I have seen a tremendous increase in the usage of local National Forest lands for many purposes e.g. hiking, camping, bikes, horses and target shooting. While in the past a rare occurrence, the current large increase in dispersed shooting has created a very unsafe situation. I believe the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club is the best and most practical solution to avoid a disastrous event in the forest.

- John Campagnoli From: Kira Woodmansee To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Boulder shooting range Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8:53:06 AM

I support getting shooting out the mountains, but this location adjacent to neighborhoods and open space is the wrong site. Peaceful citizens should not have to hear gunfire on a regular basis, especially people with PTSD. Boulder's open space and wildlife are among our most precious resources, and we can't allow them to be subverted for a hobby. Not to mention stray bullets and increased traffic. If the area must be developed, put affordable housing there instead. Housing is a need. Shooting is a want.

Kira Woodmansee 80301 From: Paul Tepley To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:03:20 AM

Dear Planner,

I oppose the Rifle Club expansion for the following reasons:

Noise impact - We don’t really need to hear more gunfire, especially at this point in time, where there’s overwhelming violence in the country and it was only this year (because of the pandemic) that a school shooting hasn’t taken place every week. Additionally, this noise would impact users of the nearby open space. My impact as a hiker or cyclist can only be heard a few feet away from the trail. Gunfire can be heard for miles.

Pollution impact - As reported proper environmental assessment hasn’t happened, particularly because of the Rifle Club sits on a former chemical dump. Moreover, there’s the impact of automobile emissions, pollution from the impact of manufacturing guns and ammunition, and the disposal of spend rounds.

Guns - With the number of murders, suicides, and accidental deaths, I think that the a large number of citizens of this country have more than proven their incapability to responsibly handle weapons. I don’t think Boulder County should encourage any gun use period.

Sincerely,

Paul Tepley From: Edie Hooton To: #LandUsePlanner Cc: Barber, Brianna; Valdez, Robin A.; Hackett, Richard Subject: Expansion of Boulder Rifle Club (SU-19-0009) Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:12:02 AM

Honorable Commissioners,

In recent weeks, many of my constituents have expressed numerous serious concerns regarding the proposed Boulder Rifle Club Expansion, which would require excavation of an old municipal dump used for approximately 15 years by Syntex to dispose of their toxic waste. The proposed construction site slopes down to city and county protected habitat, leading to the Boulder Reservoir. This has serious implications for the impact on the watershed and adjacent property.

City Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), which owns most of the neighboring land, recommended an Environmental Impact Report before the project's approval and a change in use under the land-use code. The County Planning Commission recommended denying the application at their August 19th meeting. Rejection of multiple recommendations by City and County land stewards by the County Commissioners begs the question of motivations outside Boulder County residents' best interests and their financial commitment to the highest and best use of their public land, prioritizing the preservation of natural habitat and species.

I am also concerned about the size of the proposed project. I understand that Boulder County Commissioners are working with the US Forest Service to find ways to reduce dispersed shooting on Forest land, but where is the evidence that an expanded rifle range will accomplish that? I have spent weeks reading documents and have seen nothing that supports that theory. And even if there was evidence, how did we get to a proposed rifle range that will add 60 additional outdoor shooting lanes, 12 of which are 300 meters long - we're talking football fields - and a 20,000 square foot Indoor training center, with 16 additional lanes on 16-24 acres of land? If approved, this could be among one of the largest public rifle ranges in Colorado.

I believe Boulder County residents should be fully apprised of what is being proposed - environmental impacts and scope of the proposed rifle range expansion - and deserve their public officials' respect by providing them with an opportunity for a robust conversation before any decision to proceed is made.

To that end, I request that you delay a decision on the proposed project until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed. Boulder residents deserve an opportunity to weigh in on a project of this scope that has the potential of serious environmental consequences on their public land. Further, I believe there are more options to address dispersed shooting on Forest Service land than building a rifle range. I am committed to working with you, our city council and my colleagues at the state legislature to find alternatives.

Thank you for your consideration. Edie Edie Hooton Majority Caucus Chair Vice-Chair, Committee on Energy and Environment Member, Committee on Transportation and Local Government State Representative House District 10 Boulder | CO | 80304 [email protected] | (C) 303-588-7494 www.ediehooton.com From: Gardner, Deb To: Frederick, Summer Subject: FW: comments on proposed expansion of Boulder Rifle Club Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:12:56 AM Attachments: LAM comments on expansion of rifle range.docx

FYI

From: lisa morzel Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2020 5:32 PM To: Gardner, Deb Subject: comments on proposed expansion of Boulder Rifle Club

Hi Deb

I hope this finds you well. And let's hope for a blue wave tonight.

Attached are comments for your consideration on the proposal for expanding the Boulder Rifle Club. Thanks in advance for considering them.

Best wishes

Lisa

-- Lisa

303-938-8520 cell

We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this Jimmy Carter

"Politics is what we create by what we do, what we hope for, and what we dare to imagine." Paul Wellstone (1944-2002)

November 3, 2020

Re: SU-19-0009 Proposed expansion of Boulder Rifle Club Project

Dear Commissioners Matt, Elise, and Deb,

I am writing to comment on the proposed expansion of the Boulder Club Project. I oppose the scale of the proposed expansion for numerous reasons and ask that you to slow approval of this proposal. As you must be aware, significant issues are associated with this expansion none the least of which include excavating a former and contaminated landfill, drainage issues into Silver Lake ditch and Boulder Reservoir, environmental including wildlife concerns, bullets going into OSMP and other associated impacts (this happens already making hiking on city OSMP here dangerous and potentially life threatening), and noise to name a few issues. As you know, a site-specific development plan is required of uses which may have greater than typical impacts on services, neighborhoods, or environment. Your process requires review of compatibility, environmental impacts, services proposed, and the proposed site plan.

While I have multiple serious concerns, my comments here are focused on the future land uses intended for the Planning Reserve. I recognize the Boulder Rifle Club and its expansion are in the Rural Preserve; however, what is allowed as a permanent 22-acre facility in the Rural Preserve will have huge implications on what can happen potentially in the Planning Reserve. Before I left City Council last November, the City, with the knowledge and agreement of the County, voted to approve a study to consider the option of a service area expansion to the 500-acre Planning Reserve for future community needs that cannot be met within the existing Service Area. Last February 2020, the City Council had their first study session on that topic. Urban services, including housing and neighborhood-supporting services, would most likely be what would be developed. Housing and a lot of affordable and moderate housing are what the city and county desperately need. The Planning Reserve is seriously the only location outside and contiguous to the current city Service Area where such development could occur.

In 1996 or 1997, the city purchased the 190-acre future park land with the vision that this land would be used by future residents of the Planning Reserve, once developed. A shooting range of the current proposed 22-acre scale in the midst, albeit at the northern end, is clearly an incompatible use—it may not be today but will be in the future. A plan with a comprehensive vision of potential development of Area III north of Boulder should be considered before any permanent developments in this area are permitted. Approval of this proposal would constitute piecemeal development which future commissioners and councils will regret in the future.

A final comment regarding the hope that an expanded shooting range will diminish shooting in the US forests to the west of Boulder, I ask what measures are in place to guarantee shooting is extinguished or significantly diminished in the forests. What enforcement mechanisms will be put in place? Who will pay for such enforcement? How will the forest be monitored for shooting, etc.? These questions need to be answered before any approval goes forward.

I find it ironic that the Boulder Rifle Club is suing the city of Boulder for its assault weapons ban. The proposed expansion would allow use of assault weapons just hundreds of feet from the city limits. The city and county have a long history of working in concert to support each other’s goals—this proposal and its potential approval would place that relationship in jeopardy.

Approval of this proposal at the proposed scale (going from 6 to 22 acres) is premature. I would hope more thought would be placed first into the future uses of the Area III lands to the north of Boulder. Thanks for considering these comments.

Best wishes, Lisa Morzel

From: Arrian Yves Wheeler To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: NO TO GUN RANGE EXPANSION. Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:22:36 AM

This is Signe and Jeff Wheeler to the boulder commissioners Elise Jones, Matt jones and Deb Gardner.

We want to express our strongest objection to your even considering approval of enlarging the gun park in North Boulder!! We are active voting members of Boulder, and us this area for hiking, Horse riding, and think this expansion would be HORRIBLE for all of these activities. Not to mention the effects on the homes and schools by this unbelievable noise pollution over the area. It would turn the entire region into a WAR zone.

WE GREATLY URGE YOU TO TURN DOWN THIS PROPOSAL.

Signe, and Jeff Wheeler. From: Rita Roberts To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Re: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:23:27 AM

As a resident of North Boulder I strongly oppose the expansion of the Rifle Club. There is no reason our neighborhood needs to hear gunshots all day long or be in the presence of serious gunfire. And, really, who needs to practice with AK rifles??? Rita Roberts 1957 Poplar Lane Boulder 80304 Sent from my iPhone From: Joy Reich To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Re: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:29:13 AM

Please do NOT approve the expansion of the rifle club north of Boulder.

The noise and impact on wildlife and on people using open space trails will be distressing.

Have acoustical tests, community impact studies and wildlife surveys been done? If not, they should definitely be done before approval. I live in North Boulder and have not had any formal notification or request to comment.

Thank you.

Regards, Joy Reich From: William Neff To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Docket numbers SE-20-0008 & SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:40:12 AM

This is to follow up with comments I will reference today (email sent on 31 October at 3:10 pm):

As a follow up to my earlier comments yesterday about how the two shooting ranges in Boulder County came down to one (after I was able to locate the actual ranger district maps):

· The DRAFT decision memo from the USFS included two shooting areas in Boulder County, basically north and south of Hwy 7.

According to the Daily Camera on 11 June 2019, Reghan Cloudman, a public affairs specialist for the USDA Forest Services, referring to the draft version “…noted that the final proposal will be tweaked slightly.”

In fact, the final version had a major change and established only one shooting range in all of Boulder County when “they” moved the northern boundary of the “Southern Boulder County” shooting area all the way to the “Boulder-Canyon Lakes Ranger District boundary” which is largely the northern boundary of Boulder County. There are, in effect, no southern and northern Boulder County areas. The so-called “Northern Boulder County and Southern Larimer County” area actually goes from the northern Boulder county line north to Hwy 34 except for a very small piece of Boulder County where the Canyon Lakes Ranger District intrudes which can be accessed on a back-country road from Meeker.

A question is who was behind the “tweaking” to only require one shooting range in Boulder County? In the community meetings in the mountains there were seven alternatives listed and discussed with broad engagement from the residents: West Magnolia Camp, Ruby Gulch 1, Ruby Gulch 2, Beaver Reservoir, Bunce School, Allenspark Dump, and Lyons Quarry. It should be noted that the BRC was not listed as an alternative for Boulder County in any of these meetings. From: Richard Friesen To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:44:41 AM

Greetings,

This email is to strongly object to the commissions approval of a plan by the Boulder Rifle Club to expand the current shooting range. I am a Boulder county resident and frequently hike and run on the Boulder Valley Ranch trail, Mesa Loop trail, Degge trail, etc. They are beautiful and provide a peaceful respite from work and a busy city. These trails are used by bikers, hikers, runners, horse riders, adults and children.

Many times the peaceful venue I refer to is interrupted by the sound of rifles, shotguns, handguns (?). Aside from the noise, in the back of my mind it makes me think of gun violence in the country but also the possibility, no matter how remote, of a stray gunshot coming onto the trails. This expansion will allow for 60 more shooters, AK rifles, and who knows what else. A shooting range of 3000' is being planned. Really? What kind of gun owners need to fire weapons with that range besides snipers? I understand that Boulder County has already invested thousands of taxpayers dollars to expedite this project with very little public attention. I realize that this very far along and the commission would be very reluctant to turn the project down at this point, but it should be open to the public to vote on. It definitely will have a great impact on north Boulder residents and the OSMP trails used by thousands of residents of Boulder county and others.

Regards,

Dick Friesen From: Karen Morgan To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: No on any expansion of the Rifle Club!!!!! Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:46:15 AM

Karen Morgan, Gunbarrel From: CHARLES and LYNN HOWELL To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Re: SU-19-0009: Opposition to Rifle Club Expansion Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:52:38 AM

My husband Chuck and I oppose the Rifle Club Expansion set to be voted on November 5, 2020. We live in the North Boulder area, and strongly oppose attracting those who possess AK rifles to our neighborhood, and the associated adverse noise and potential dangers which will affect humans and wildlife, the digging up of contaminated soils near a school, local residents, and an amusement park. Is this Boulder’s way of dumping undesirable projects upon an area more highly concentrated with affordable housing, the homeless, and those financially less able to oppose such projects? Boulder has never supported increased access to automatic rifles, so why here and why now? This is contrary to community sentiments.

Please do not support the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club.

Sincerely,

Lynn Howell 4414 Lee Hill Drive Boulder, CO 80302

From: Rex Roberts To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Docket SE-20-0008, SU-19-0009 Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9:54:52 AM

Regarding the Boulder Rifle Club Subdivision Exemption I am a north Boulder resident living within earshot of the existing range and my family and I are vehemently apposed to all changes listed in the above two amendments.

Rex Roberts 1957 Poplar Lane Boulder 80304

Sent from my iPhone From: Penny Dumas To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Gun Range Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 10:00:06 AM

Dear Planner,

My son has a business less than 1 mile from the gun range in north Boulder. I can’t imagine him being able to conduct business there if you expand that range as you are planning to do. Not only will the sounds of a war zone harm his business, but it will also harm his property value. Will you be willing to buy him out at current market value and pay for him to relocate?

Please halt this project at the north Boulder location. Find a more suitable location.

Sincerely,

Penny Dumas 1297 Blackbird Ct. Boulder, CO 80303

Sent from my iPhone From: Katrina Peterson To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: Comments in Support of BRC Expansion Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 10:05:02 AM Attachments: Boulder Rifle Club Expansion Statement.docx

Hello,

I am signed up to speak in today's 12:30 pm Zoom meeting where the County Commissioners will take comments on the proposed expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club.

I am taking the precaution of emailing my prepared statement so that you will have a written version of it, in the event that my Zoom connection fails or that I do not get a chance to speak.

I have both attached the document and, below, included it in this email outright.

Thank you, Katrina Peterson

Comments submitted to the Boulder County Commissioners on the proposed expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club November 4, 2020 Submitted by Katrina Peterson 70 Pennsylvania Gulch Rd. Nederland, CO. 80466

Thank you for the opportunity to speak in favor of the County Commissioners approving the expansion of the Boulder Rifle Club.

For 24 years I have lived surrounded by Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest just east of the Peak to Peak Highway and halfway between Nederland and Ward. While raising our two children there, my husband and I have witnessed the dramatic surge in gunfire from shooters who claim to be exercising their right to practice dispersed shooting, but who, more often than not, ignore dispersed shooting rules and, when in place, county-wide shooting bans. In ignoring the rules and bans, these irresponsible shooters have increased the risk of catastrophic wildfires on public, county, and private land. And they have increasingly endangered the physical safety of our family, our mountain neighbors and the ever-growing number of County-wide residents who come here to recreate.

In approving the Boulder Rifle Club expansion, the Boulder County Commissioners could achieve a rare greater good solution that is both elegant and effective. Immediate beneficiaries include:

1. The thousands of Boulder County residents who live in the mountain communities and will be spared the all too real personal and property dangers of dispersed shooting in national forests as, in return for providing gun enthusiasts a designated shooting area, the Forest Service has committed to closing to shooting the most affected public lands.

2. The tens of thousands of Boulder County residents, including those who live in the “flatlands” and within city limits, who will benefit from the peace-of-mind that comes with hiking, biking, walking, and otherwise recreating in the mountains without fear of errant bullets.

3. The Boulder County sheriff’s department, currently overwhelmed, understaffed and unable to properly police a too vast “dispersed shooting” area which will be able to better deliver on its public safety pledge to all County residents. Other County public servants and services, firefighters and medical personnel, will welcome the reprieve from having to respond to a fire or injury caused by guns in remote and often inaccessible locations.

4. Responsible gun enthusiasts from Boulder County will still be able to practice their hobby in the County confident that the noise mitigation and safety rules of the expanded facility will allow them to be good neighbors to North Boulder city and county residents.

We understand the noise, safety, and environmental concerns of some Boulder residents. Over the six years process that it has taken to get to this point we, too, have raised similar issues. However, we note that the Boulder Rifle Club has been in operation for decades and the expansion would bring only an incremental increase in shooting at that site – the noise of which could and should be mitigated by noise-containing bulwarks.

We urge the County Commissioners to honor that long, exhaustive, multi-stakeholder process and to see that the greater good for all County residents is served by confining shooting in this large County to a controlled site already known to and safely managed by gun enthusiasts. We wholeheartedly encourage the Commissioners to approve the Rifle Club expansion.

From: Louise Padden To: #LandUsePlanner Subject: SU-19-0009. VOTE NO! Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 10:22:57 AM

Dear Commissioners,

PLEASE VOTE NO on this outrageous proposal for North Boulder. An investigation should be opened on how something this egregious plan could even be proposed. This is not right by any logic. The Boulder Rifle Club is a private company that should not be allowed to gain this access at the cost and safety of our homes and neighborhoods in North Boulder.

Louise Padden, Evert Brown 575 Euclid Ave Boulder CO 80302

(25 year residents)