Published by the Boulder County Commissioners

March 1997

The Boulder County Recycling and Composting Authority at its February meeting identified the Eco-Cycle site as the best candidate for development of a planned recycling processing center. The 19.9-acre parcel at the intersection of North 63rd Street and Arapahoe Road is owned by Public Service Company, but Eco-Cycle holds an option to purchase it. The Authority selected this site for further consideration based on an analysis of land use/aesthetics, transportation and rail access, utility infrastructure, central location within the county, federal and state permits, constructability and zoning.

In addition, the Authority indicated the site at 11386 Rogers Road in Longmont is no longer actively being considered. The Authority also ordered a series of environmental studies to confirm the acceptability of the Eco-Cycle site. These studies will include examination of past uses of the site, a detailed sampling of soils, surface and ground waters, and an analysis of subsurface geographic conditions related to construction. The impact on wetlands and endangered species also will be studied. If these studies indicate the site is acceptable, the Authority will release a Request for Proposals to identify a vendor to design, build and operate the facility, under contract with the Authority. For more information call the Recycling and Composting Authority at 651-8998.

The Commissioners voted Feb. 6 to conditionally approve a transfer of development rights for White Hawk Ranch, which will have 56 lots on 110 acres of land south of Arapahoe Road and west of the Shannon Estates subdivision near Lafayette. By transferring 50 development units from other areas to the site, the agreement frees up between 583 and 875 acres of land to be preserved as open space.

The developer still must meet several conditions before construction can begin, including resolving such issues as water service and traffic concerns, and must undergo the county's preliminary plan and final plat processes. Approval of the site also falls under terms of an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Lafayette, which already has given conditional approval of the project and must give sketch plan and final plat approvals as well. For more information, call the Land Use Department at 441-3930.

An additional 4 miles of trail will be constructed at Hall Ranch, under plans approved by the Commissioners Feb. 18. Last year, roughly six miles of multi-use trail were opened at the newly acquired county open space west of Lyons. Other additions this year will be more parking at the current trailhead off Highway 7 one mile west of Lyons, along with a restroom, picnic shelter with tables and information kiosk. For more information about this project, contact the Parks and Open Space Department, 441-3950.

The Commissioners approved a prescribed burning program Feb. 25 that will allow the Parks and Open Space Department to set controlled fires on open space properties. The burning program was initiated as another tool to help improve the health of forests and rangelands. Burning can be used to eliminate noxious weeds and reduce the potential for catastrophic fires, restoring the ecosystem to its natural cycle. The most complex fires to be set will be reviewed by the Commissioners at public hearings. For more information, contact the Parks and Open Space Department, 441-3950.

Ground breaking for three buildings that will become housing for income-eligible elderly residents took place Feb. 21 on a vacant lot just southeast of the Cottonwood Square Shopping Center in Niwot. Currently, no subsidized housing for the elderly exists in Niwot.

The project, which is scheduled for completion by October, will be designed as two, one-story buildings with six units each. All units will have 700 square feet, including a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living/dining area. Architecturally, the development will be cottage-style, with front porches and back patios for each unit. In addition, a third building will house a Resident Activity Center/Community Room to serve as a gathering place for social and recreational activities.

Total cost for the project is about $900,000, including $90,000 from Boulder County, $120,000 from the Colorado Division of Housing and a below-market loan provided by Pioneer Bank of Longmont. Front Range Community College Construction Management students will provide free labor to build the 756-square-foot Community Room, which will be used for social and recreation activities. Boulder County Youth Corps teens will provide labor for landscaping the property this summer.

To live in the units, which will rent for $450-$550 a month, residents must be age 62 or older, with low to moderate incomes. First preference will be given to Niwot residents, and applications are available by calling 441-3929. For more information, call Housing Planner Michael Reis, 441-4723.

The Boulder County Transportation Department, in cooperation with the City of Boulder, has begun a major road improvement project on North 63rd Street in the Gunbarrel area. The project will close North 63rd Street between Twin Lakes Road and Habitat Drive through June 30. Traffic north of Jay Road is restricted to local traffic, as is traffic south of Spine Road. Both restricted areas will experience traffic delays during the project.

North 63rd Street is a major traffic corridor in Boulder County, with about 11,000 vehicles traveling the road each day. The road is being closed during construction to shorten the project timeline by 15 days and significantly lower the project's cost. Motorists are encouraged to use Jay Road and the Diagonal Highway (State Highway 119) as an alternate route. For more information, contact the Boulder County Transportation Department at 441-3900.

Consortium of Cities 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 5 in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder County Courthouse. For more information, call the Commissioners' office at 441-3500.

Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 10 in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder County Courthouse. For more information, call the Land Use Department, 441-3930, or the Parks and Open Space Department, 441-3950.

Regional Transportation Task Force Meeting 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder County Courthouse. For more information, call the Commissioners' office at 441-3500.

Human Services Coordinating Council Meeting noon, Wednesday, March 19 in the Administrative Services Training Room, 2025 14th St., Boulder. For more information, call Special Projects Coordinator Barbara Kendall, 441-3840.

Planning Commission Meeting 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19 in the Commissioners' Hearing Room on the third floor of the Boulder County Courthouse. The meeting reconvenes at 7 p.m. after a dinner break. For more information, call the Land Use Department, 441-3930.

Boulder County Day in Gunbarrel 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19. For more information, call Policy Analyst Carolyn Dulchinos, 441-4567.

Transportation Department Contract:

With National Construction Company for the North 63rd Street construction project ($1,180,187.96).

1997 Non-Profit Agency Contracts:

With Minority Resume ($6,367).

With Attention, Inc. ($24,068).

With Alternatives for Youth ($45,000).With YWCA ($80,000).With Boulder Day Nursery ($20,265).With Longmont Emergency Unit ($19,294).With Parenting Place ($31,835).With Boulder Shelter for the Homeless ($49,612).With Plan de Salud del Valle ($80,000).With the Longmont Coalition for Women in Crisis ($58,958).

Information Services Division Bid Awards:

For a high speed printer to Chess, Inc. ($22,035).

For telephone system expansion and upgrade to WilTel ($67,366.25).

Transportation Department Bid Award:

For four-sided precast concrete box culverts to Carder Concrete ($70,152.75).

Parks and Open Space Department Bid Awards

For a roadside chemical spraying system to Cascade Industries ($49,597.24).

For a pedestrian bridge to Wheeler Consolidated ($13,790).

Boulder County News is published monthly by the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide information concerning Boulder County government to Boulder County municipalities. Whenever possible, contact names and phone numbers are included. 

Board of County Commissioners

P.O. Box 471

Boulder, CO 80306

Phone: (303)441-3500, Fax: 441-4525