Niwot Trails Master Plan

Board of County Commissioners approves Niwot Trails Master Plan

At a public hearing held July 11, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved staff recommendations to adopt the Niwot Trails Master Plan, including improvements to the existing Niwot Loop system and pursuing two alignment options (Dry Creek and 83rd) for the LoBo Regional Trail connection between Niwot and Longmont. A separate Transportation project is addressing Diagonal Highway (CO 119) improvements to enhance commuter bike use and safety.

Niwot Trails Master Plan, dated July 5, 2006 (4 MB pdf)
(approved July 11, 2006)

Proposed Community Trails Map, Fig. 2, dated June 30, 2006 (616 KB)
Longmont-Boulder (LOBO) Regional Trail Plan Map, Fig. 3, dated July 3, 2006 (624 KB)
Staff m emo to the Board for the July 11, 2006 public hearing (209 KB pdf)

Approximately 50 members of the public attended the public hearing to express their support and concerns about future construction of the proposed trails which will accommodate bikes, horses, and pedestrians. Throughout the hearing the Boulder County Commissioners reassured members of the public that regardless of which trail options are pursued, both the Board and Boulder County staff are committed to working with affected residents to help minimize the impact of the trails to adjacent property owners and agricultural operations as the planning, design and layout move forward.

Background

The County has long recognized the opportunity to create a regional connection and improve the trail system in the Niwot area. After passage of the transportation tax in 2001, a Regional Trail Committee was formed to evaluate the need for regional trail connections in Boulder County. Out of an extensive public process the committee identified and prioritized several regional trail connections. The Committee recommended the LOBO Regional Trail with connections to Niwot as a top priority. Based on last night’s decision, the County will start working on final design, implementation and property acquisitions for the proposed Niwot trails.

The Niwot Trails project team began work in December 2005, attended a meeting of the Niwot Community Association, conducted two public open houses, and held a field trip with adjacent property owners.

There are three funding sources for the Niwot Trails Master Plan project:

The 2001 transportation tax, a portion of which is dedicated to funding alternative transportation modes such as trails.
The Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant for the 2007-2014 Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which will pay for the LOBO Regional Trail.
Capital funds earmarked by Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS) for community trails in this area. The source of BCPOS funding is cash dedicated in lieu of land from residential developments in the Niwot area.

POSAC Meeting Held June 22, 2006

On June 22, 2006, the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) accepted the staff recommendation on a unanimous vote. Their motion recommended that the Boulder County Commissioners adopt the Niwot Trails Master Plan, including keeping both the 83rd Street and the Dry Creek as options for the LoBO trail for further investigation.

We Want To Hear From You

If you were not able to attend public meetings for this project and would still like to submit your comments, please contact Dean Pearson of Architerra at dpearson @ architerragroup.com or (303) 948-0766--or Brent Wheeler, operations division manager for Parks and Open Space, at (303) 678-6184.

Public meetings schedule:

Open House #1
March 15, 2006, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Niwot High School, 8989 Niwot Rd., in the cafeteria
Purpose: To gather input from the community

Open House #2
April 26, 2006, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Niwot High School, 8989 Niwot Rd., in the cafeteria
Purpose: Staff will present plan options and gather feedback.

Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC)
Public Meeting
June 22, 2006, 6:30 p.m. (rescheduled from May 25.)
Location: Downtown Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO. Please call (303) 441-3500 for special assistance needs.
Purpose: Staff will present an update on the current trail alternative and information gather to date for the Niwot Trail Master Plan. Action requested: Recommendation to the BOCC.

Board of County Commissioners
Public Hearing
July 11, 2006, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Downtown Courthouse, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO. Please call (303) 441-3500 for special assistance needs.

Exhibits and Maps (archived)

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