[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6329294,"mediaKeyId","2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272","parentId",2316297,"title","Votes at a glance: Trustees unanimously approve minutes from Jan. 15, 2025 meeting","audioSeconds",55,"startMs",80000,"endMs",135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272&start=80&end=135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272/thumbnail_80000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329294/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Trustees-unanimously-approve-minutes-from-Jan-15-2025-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329294-480994eb8e5bb27b01d03fff8457d15e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153246&Signature=oMStqeaoqWPy9fKUOTBAOkCk7VQyorzl1tAHtpMes-MsrK0re9twUAQwpCSE4qLPcZJYmE~YO1vHYgW0pFEiBoxyKc7CEgFSbgFcQwMo-lG2g21zeH7j0YJcDcaa-JD6b507v3mzLRjKiMuEmIBU88HXpAjanL8cJL-Ho30hUn3mJRqxHkP95BnCk1cu~eaZfXaNzSiIQu0IEWzBTk-7Xh16c~6CnigZk4Qt-AHL68I2YjJpOVmWm~AB3Y~1PhFmZ5ah58PlcZilCPkgAS2k1Rzd7vGtlefb0eZmnlBOMMVTnoV-wWZ2H-tkUOR0jPEKdeBAe~t3qXVkqWpzPFfg-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-02-15T00:56:30Z","article","At the start of the Feb. 12 Open Space Board of Trustees business meeting, trustees approved the minutes of the Jan. 15, 2025 meeting by unanimous roll call.

The motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded during the meeting; the transcript records a roll call with affirmative votes from trustees who identified themselves during the call. The board chair, Michelle Estrella, called for the roll and trustees answered in the affirmative; the meeting record shows unanimous approval.

No other formal votes or ordinance/resolution adoptions were recorded in the transcript of the Feb. 12 business meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2-12-25 Open Space Board of Trustees Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of its Jan. 15, 2025 meeting. No other formal board votes were recorded during the business meeting.","taxTitle","Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3386,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329298,"OSMP starts planning a toolkit to increase multimodal access to open space; staff flag communications as low‑cost early action",1222,8795000,10017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272&start=8795&end=10017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272/thumbnail_8795000.jpg","/articles/6329298/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/OSMP-starts-planning-a-toolkit-to-increase-multimodal-access-to-open-space-staff-flag-communications-as-lowcost-early-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329298-5699eb302c06b2758567dae0f704475b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153246&Signature=Ft8lC9uOvXkMbbVfdFyA6i514WMVRLUrKFjij25THMp7jNKn0x8RUNigKs~I-dhy154FH-AuxES5-JB9Ihc-UmjjJZujAe7il3T6OrL~8fZI7-eH3mCBA-0Fc33vMeT2BFOytNiHklInGbIZO4ZWpOXi4kEG2hPULGpAT7qbHhd9cYOmy~SBhCXNxLrFnnnuV6IKXgYMJndbq6LlvqiadMUoL2wb~bLODBrhIUYwwG6LxEk1P-A6u9drse9PYfPGR1ET-XEXZIbBkBi012RyYWs3uiXEYZCL28hmxiNNMBTrF19yll0fx1ZEVEabEkzrvfrnA6HHv3Q1uVLLiagHRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Open Space and Mountain Parks staff on Feb. 12 presented a planning approach for improving multimodal access to OSMP trailheads and key access points, aligning the work with the City of Boulder's citywide strategic plan goal (7C) and related land‑use and transportation guidance.

Lede: OSMP intends to develop a prioritized toolkit of interventions — communications, modest infrastructure, and connectivity projects — to increase walking, biking and transit access to open space and reduce single‑occupant vehicle trips.

Nut graf: Staff proposed a three‑phase process (data review; development of a prioritized toolkit and feasibility analysis; a draft implementation plan with cost estimates and partners) and said a near‑term, low‑cost emphasis should be communications and behavior‑change work while larger infrastructure needs may require multiagency capital funding and longer lead times.

What staff described: Deputy director Jeff Haley summarized data from the OSMP visitor origin and survey work showing about half of visitors arrive by vehicle and that other modes (walking, biking, running) make up a substantial share. Staff said the project will mine existing POVs, counter and facility data to identify access points where a \"needle can be moved\" and then develop a menu of interventions — bicycle parking, low‑stress bike connections, shuttles, signage, micro‑mobility and communications and outreach campaigns.

Communications and behavior change: Several trustees emphasized communications and outreach as early, low‑cost actions. Trustee Sarah said the project must include a behavior‑change element, noting that partnerships and targeted campaigns can create demand for alternative transportation. Staff agreed and listed communications and outreach as near‑term items that could be implemented without multiagency dependencies.

Coordination and timing: Staff said some actions will require external partnerships (City Transportation, CDOT, RTD) and longer timelines; others are in OSMP's control. The project charter and scope will be refined in coming months, with a Q3–Q4 phase to develop feasibility and a July update to the board; staff expect a prioritized plan within roughly a year to guide implementation and budget requests.

Next steps: Staff will refine the project scope, begin data mining with the human dimensions team and convene a project team to draft the toolkit and prioritized interventions. They will continue outreach with transportation staff and other partners and return with progress updates and draft priorities.","OSMP staff outlined a project to prioritize multimodal access improvements (the 7C initiative), combining data analysis, targeted site toolkits and partnerships with other city and regional agencies; staff said communications and targeted outreach are low‑hanging fruit to shift visitor behavior.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329303,"OSMP proposes standardized signs, limited designations for climbing access trails after stakeholder review",1271,6115000,7386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272&start=6115&end=7386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272/thumbnail_6115000.jpg","/articles/6329303/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/OSMP-proposes-standardized-signs-limited-designations-for-climbing-access-trails-after-stakeholder-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329303-3d3b8447f81e72a1355cefbb2a78e96d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153246&Signature=DGwbD8KvM7gwi3OcnoEjlWpiAJb5bcd27OB4DcJOi5Up3mSt9Xpfy1qSsI-TBxA5dyYfDjybH32vdajSGvj~RwyoCrVjXb3kiQv-o6Ye~vUf4K6-inoGrYlo1Fx1Tn~u1jdDH111lGHL-iIr2gnsCX6MbRV3mnBvFDxnJFxgC7-x425Z0KvQniDK6uE2dn4pjnFtvVJK~QjSP6bBROWUS6n55lvP8tJlFtmLYO0ZgBpkTVHCQjC7d3rEE9OKaWcJmn5ff2q8qGaJo7UprgXvA11ZTxmebsy0A458BceW72rMw3eyeFjLgS8gK68ZHgi1kCqBndtWrx2x3~~FZ79THw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks staff on Feb. 12 presented the climbing access trail implementation process and recommended site‑specific outcomes for an initial set of climbing access routes following meetings with the Flatirons Climbing Council (FCC) and the Boulder Climbing Community (BCC).

Lede: Staff recommended designating roughly 2.4 miles of climbing access trail to provide sustainable approaches to bolted climbing formations, standardizing signs and using site‑by‑site monitoring before expanding the program.

Nut graf: The recommended approach responds to stakeholder requests for web maps, clearer wayfinding and reduced confusion around raptor closures while aiming to minimize additional resource impacts by keeping designation and sign infrastructure small and site‑appropriate. Staff proposed three sign types (blaze, wayfinding, hazard) and recommended designating the Maiden, Matron and the Slab and other specified formations; staff recommended not designating Devil's Advocate at this time but retaining and minimally managing the route.

What staff proposed: Recreation Stewardship Senior Program Manager Lisa Gonzalo told trustees the core team used trail management objectives (TMOs) adapted for climbing access and, after on‑the‑ground reviews with climbing stakeholders, proposed increasing the acceptable grade for a hiker‑class‑1 condition from up to 25% to up to 40% for climbing approaches; the change aligns design parameters with observed trail steepness on climbing routes. Staff also proposed small, uniform signs using climber symbology, a minimal color palette and smaller physical footprints so signs can be installed in rocky terrain.

Site‑by‑site results: Staff said counters installed Sept. 7, 2024 at four sites will remain through October 2025 to establish baselines. For the initial set, staff recommended designation for Maiden, Matron, Slab, Seal Rock, Skunk Canyon and Goose. Devil's Advocate, staff said, has very low human counts, is surrounded by several raptor closures and has ecological constraints; the recommendation was to retain the trail without designation and to install a single interior wayfinding sign and collaborate on a \"leave no trace\" message about gear left at boulders.

Stakeholder engagement: Staff credited lengthy discussions with FCC and BCC representatives and said climbers asked explicitly for online mapping of designated climbing access trails and for clear, minimal field signs to reduce confusion caused by varied existing signage in the system. Several public commenters, including Tom Isaacson and Peter Beal, praised staff outreach and said they supported the proposed approach.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the climbing access management plan, continue monitoring and begin implementation on sites not under camera monitoring. Staff said further work will fold 3.3 miles of previously designated climbing access trails into the new approach and will assess remaining miles of undesignated climbing access trails in future phases.","After consulting climbing groups, OSMP staff recommended designating 2.4 miles of climbing access routes (Maiden, Matron, Slab, Seal Rock, Skunk Canyon, Goose) with new wayfinding, blaze and hazard signs, and keeping Devil's Advocate 'retained' (not designated) pending further monitoring.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329308,"OSMP reports 441,718 public contacts since 2022 and details presence-on-the-land work at North Sky",1084,3274000,4358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272&start=3274&end=4358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","/articles/6329308/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/OSMP-reports-441718-public-contacts-since-2022-and-details-presence-on-the-land-work-at-North-Sky","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329308-66a668cc8111e664642cc8bd9e516445/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153246&Signature=jc3yRN0GRIAUKDPg25u2lVYr8QPtQyjnixvLOZkg4mnQGRtgqBta36MFmJB-uaDt4gSlwSe~-XAGdBNlZxtiSiVAYcliruRgWBe7~RklW8MP3gaGAIpQR3s8xrYu6WDUMxNMFyK4MykpGKQs4PkTif-ysFkZUY5i-ccx~esvV9Xp2cTPXMuui5FTbRLqfN83mrlm2cskxESRXxCcUbeFwWOpDQ0000T-b-TZ8Jc8WAiqEY2VJ6MJbOcR1URR2vEL6FJ6~CvtF-q-cFcx1z9~gFwCRtrWdX5Z3H~UYTsHEnNqY9IdkZkrzER9u196RFhDbwVaSKX7T3iwYw4G3zkMyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Open Space and Mountain Parks staff on Feb. 12 briefed the Open Space Board of Trustees on the \"Presence on the Land\" initiative — a coordinated program of outreach staff, rangers and volunteer ambassadors intended to increase staff and volunteer presence on OSMP lands and improve visitor experiences and safety.

The main point: OSMP reported a combined 441,718 face‑to‑face contacts by outreach, rangers (non‑law enforcement contacts only) and volunteers between 2022 and 2024. Staff said that count includes education, visitor guidance and incident reporting; outreach manager Dakota Anderson said the total is \"a number we are extremely proud of.\" The board heard how the initiative supported the first months of the North Sky trail opening.

Why it matters: Staff presented the initiative as an operational response to rising visitation and to requests for on‑the‑ground engagement, education and safety presence. Dakota Anderson described training and duties for outreach staff and noted staffing was heavily seasonal; staff said volunteer contributions nearly doubled contacts between 2022 and 2024.

North Sky highlights: Human Dimensions analyst Colin (last name not specified in transcript) summarized November–January counter data at several North Sky access points. He said counts show a statistically significant increase in trail access at the north‑end Joder Ranch trailhead after North Sky opened, but that most monitored North Sky locations still fall in the \"low visitation\" class compared with other OSMP multiuse trails. Dakota Anderson said presence teams made roughly 1,800 face‑to‑face contacts at North Sky during the initial weeks and reported a high concentration of cyclists and frequent visitor comments that the trail is \"narrow\" in places; staff described targeted outreach, signage and a planned reroute to address a tricky intersection with North Foothills.

Staffing and field capacity: OSMP staff told trustees ranger non‑law‑enforcement contacts declined in recent years because of turnover and training commitments for new hires and the complexity of incidents rangers now must respond to. Ranger manager Burton Stoner said new hires are in training and additional limited‑commission rangers are being recruited. Staff said outreach and volunteers are intended to provide many non‑law‑enforcement public contacts while commissioned rangers handle law enforcement, rescue and more complex incidents.

Next steps: Staff said 2025 will be the final year the initiative is listed as a department priority and that they hope to be fully operational by year end; priorities include better use of visitor origin (POVs) data to target presence, more dog ambassador recruitment, improved coordination with rangers for emergency response, and continued outreach tents and volunteer engagement.","OSMP staff described the \"Presence on the Land\" initiative — outreach, rangers and volunteers — and presented early visitation and contact data for the new North Sky multiuse trail and North Joder Ranch trailhead.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329312,"Boulder Open Space trustees review prairie dog expansion, staff outline limits to changing seasonal moratorium",2472,306000,2778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272&start=306&end=2778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316297-e8a8b35bc7df9c068063c2a8ac554272/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6329312/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-Open-Space-trustees-review-prairie-dog-expansion-staff-outline-limits-to-changing-seasonal-moratorium","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329312-01277622b23d4f4a144bf058a5d75f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153246&Signature=Vj-dLGSI6ugUGwx5uqEbPh8yiCWsJ4n7uuHHFHLnDGC68Bl75IwfwPJQ5e5eWFDIYmBamGR5uGs2ce4JJlh24rzzwpkxSPeNer8WGeAYw5gQSrPImsq3AzsYXel5U0d6T-tdho41r5uFAhNm2ANb7yxKeTy8RzslDVHOS0cgELjDhsKkgmhpaFzN4-kNqvEu4V7-sPCCmXlal8-ej5nQ8mJP9hhXMnerrK5SxdraFvrm3VcPON1W437UDP6VB~BOxrLzYYnDYR1O-3GPOVZvnaVJaodGS6CAECxhJyociJdU8GJyIXO8F1WcGLVqLMMJL2pUTyPP~ZzGUuO~j6xUPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees of the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees on Feb. 12 reviewed data and public testimony showing expanded prairie dog occupancy on OSMP lands and discussed whether to seek a change to the city'adopted seasonal moratorium that pauses lethal control during the prairie dog breeding season.

Board chair Michelle Estrella opened the discussion after public comments flagged soil erosion and crop losses on irrigated parcels. \"Please be brave and direct staff to deal with excessive prairie dog populations, which are destroying our open space lands,\" Elizabeth Black told the trustees during public comment, and Paula Schuler, a long‑time local farmer, urged the board to \"initiate a serious conversation and then initiate actions to remove the seasonal moratorium for lethal control on irrigated parcels.\"

Why it matters: OSMP staff reported that prairie dog–occupied acres rose in 2024 and that the increase included both irrigated agricultural parcels and protected prairie dog areas. The board'level discussion focused on what local policy can change, operational limits on staff capacity and temporary crews, and the formal approval steps needed to alter council‑level direction embedded in prior guidance.

What staff said: OSMP staff described several factors behind 2024's expansion, including historically dry conditions and contractor availability. Tori Poulton (staff) and other OSMP speakers told trustees the seasonal moratorium is a city‑level practice embedded in council guidance from the 2019–2020 planning package; changing it would require returning to City Council. Staff also said bringing lethal control in‑house in 2024 introduced a learning curve but could become more effective over time. One staff member noted operational constraints: \"our in house prairie dog crew seasonals are required to take a 12 week break in service each year,\" which has historically coincided with the moratorium.

Board members pressed both technical and policy points. Trustee John asked whether the moratorium is an Open Space policy or a city requirement; staff answered the moratorium traces to council guidance. Trustee Brady said he supported revisiting the moratorium to give staff discretion and to reflect changed conditions since earlier community conversations.

Data and scale: Speakers quoted OSMP mapping numbers provided in the packet: OSMP mapped about 5,500 occupied acres systemwide in 2024, including roughly 4,657 acres in protected status — above OSMP's stated management range of about 800 to 3,100 acres. Staff also told trustees that on irrigated parcels subject to lethal control, occupied acres rose from 640 acres in 2023 to 852 acres in 2024.

Next steps and constraints: Staff outlined operational steps they are already pursuing to improve effectiveness (re‑evaluating barriers, expanding contractor options, coordinating post‑removal management with lessees). They also said that a formal change to the breeding‑season moratorium would likely require direction from City Council, and noted community conversations in 2019–2020 had consistently opposed lethal control during the \"popping\" season. Several trustees asked staff to bring options back for discussion; staff said they would explore changes but cautioned the moratorium was not identified as a high‑priority item in the 2023 program review.

Public comment and context: Multiple public commenters urged more aggressive lethal control on irrigated parcels and cited soil erosion, agricultural damage and wildfire risk. Others urged caution because of welfare concerns for juvenile prairie dogs. Trustee Carmen noted the scale of the increase — \"5,500 acres is, like, 12% of the entire open space portfolio\" — and suggested considering an exigent action to reduce population levels with a plan to reintroduce protections afterward.

Ending: Trustees did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the Feb. 12 meeting. Staff said they will continue implementation improvements and return with options and data; any formal change to the seasonal moratorium would require City Council action.","Trustees and staff reviewed 2024 maps showing a sharp expansion of prairie dog acreage on Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands, discussed operational challenges for lethal-control programs and the procedural steps required to change the city'adopted seasonal moratorium on lethal control.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Trustees unanimously approve minutes from Jan. 15, 2025 meeting

OSMP starts planning a toolkit to increase multimodal access to open space; staff flag communications as low‑cost early action

OSMP proposes standardized signs, limited designations for climbing access trails after stakeholder review

OSMP reports 441,718 public contacts since 2022 and details presence-on-the-land work at North Sky

Boulder Open Space trustees review prairie dog expansion, staff outline limits to changing seasonal moratorium