Stagecoach State Park Management Plan 2011-2021 May 2011 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Development of the Stagecoach State Park Management Plan was made possible through the support and collaborative efforts of the Stagecoach State Park Management Planning Team (Planning Team), State Parks Leadership Team, key agency partners, and interested members of the public. Special thanks to other park, program, and section staff that provided input and suggestions on draft versions of the plan. This management plan is the third management plan to be developed based on the Colorado State Parks Management Plan Template, which was approved in 2009 by the Colorado State Parks Board. Stagecoach State Park Planning Team Scott Babcock, Strategic Planning Program Manager Gail Palmer, Rocky Mountain Region Development Manager Rob Billerbeck, Natural Resource & Stewardship Manager Craig Preston, Stagecoach State Park Manager Kurt Mill, Rocky Mountain Region Manager Eric Scholz, Capital Development Manager Key Agency Partners Billy Atkinson, Colorado Division of Wildlife Area Biologist, Kevin McBride, Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District Steamboat Springs General Manager Libbie Miller, Colorado Division of Wildlife Manager, Yampa Colorado State Parks Leadership Team Dean Winstanley, Director Ken Brink, Assistant Director of Field Operations Gary Thorson, Assistant Director of Statewide Programs Steve Cassin, Chief Financial Officer John Geerdes, Southeast Region Manager Rich Dudley, Southeast Assistant Region Manager Kurt Mill, Rocky Mountain Region Manager Heather Dugan, High Plains Region Manager Bob Wiig, Rocky Mountain Assistant Region Manager Margaret Taylor, High Plains Assistant Region Manager Eric Scholz, Capital Development Manager Patrick Gavin, Chief of Public Safety Tom Morrissey, State Trails Program Manager Consultants Special thanks to BBC Research Inc. for assisting with the Stagecoach Financial Assessment (Appendix H). i 2011-2021 Stagecoach State Park Management Plan ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary............................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................13 Park Description ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Purpose of the Plan................................................................................................................................ 14 Park Goals .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Future Plan Updates .............................................................................................................................. 15 Relevant Planning Efforts ....................................................................................................................... 16 Public Input Process ............................................................................................................................... 16 Influences on Management ................................................................................................................... 18 Management Considerations ................................................................................................................ 19 2.0 Regional Planning Context .............................................................................................................21 Climate ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Physical Setting ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Adjacent Land Use and Land Ownership ............................................................................................... 22 Planned Development ........................................................................................................................... 25 Regional Recreation and Tourism Trends, Needs, and Opportunities................................................... 27 Population Trends .................................................................................................................................. 27 3.0 Park Setting & Resources ...............................................................................................................29 Park Land Ownership ............................................................................................................................. 29 Natural Resources .................................................................................................................................. 29 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................................. 43 Scenic Resources .................................................................................................................................... 44 Recreation Resources ............................................................................................................................ 44 Interpretation and Environmental Education ........................................................................................ 51 Facilities and Infrastructure ................................................................................................................... 52 Visitation ................................................................................................................................................ 59 Park Administration and Special Functions ........................................................................................... 64 Park Budget and Finances ...................................................................................................................... 69 Economic Value ..................................................................................................................................... 73 4.0 Management Zoning ......................................................................................................................75 Methodology for Determining Management Zones .............................................................................. 75 Description of Management Zones ....................................................................................................... 75 Area Descriptions that Influence Park Zoning ....................................................................................... 79 Carrying Capacity Considerations .......................................................................................................... 83 5.0 Park Enhancement Opportunities ..................................................................................................87 Existing Facilities & Infrastructure ......................................................................................................... 87 New Facilities & Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 88 Rehabilitation & Restoration Efforts ...................................................................................................... 91 Management Initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 91 6.0 Implementation Priorities Summary ..............................................................................................95 Implementation Considerations ............................................................................................................ 95 Using the Implementation Plan ............................................................................................................. 95 7.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 103 iii 2011-2021 Stagecoach State Park Management Plan APPENDICES Appendix A. Lease Agreements and MOUs Appendix B. Wildlife Species List Appendix C. Vegetation Species List Appendix D. Asset Inventory and Facility Conditions Appendix E. Staff Responsibities and Organizational Chart Appendix F. Citations and Assists Appendix G. Boating Capacity Study Appendix H. Financial Assessment Appendix I. Photo Monitoring Appendix J. Community Connections Plan TABLES Table 1. Stagecoach State Park Mean Temperatures ................................................................................ 21 Table 2. Stagecoach State Park Average Precipitation Totals ................................................................... 21 Table 3. Noxious weed species that occur at Stagecoach State Park. ....................................................... 38 Table 4. Rare Animal Species Occurring at Stagecoach Reservoir., ........................................................... 39 Table 5. Rare Animal Species That Could Potentially Occur at Stagecoach Reservoir., ............................. 39 Table 6. Rare plant species and communities near Stagecoach State Park. ............................................. 40 Table 7. Stagecoach State Park Trails ........................................................................................................