[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6606202,"mediaKeyId","2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391","parentId",2978001,"title","City outlines long‑term financial strategy and OSMP previews 2026 capital priorities","audioSeconds",1195,"startMs",4839000,"endMs",6034000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391&start=4839&end=6034","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391/thumbnail_4839000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606202/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/City-outlines-longterm-financial-strategy-and-OSMP-previews-2026-capital-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606202-996d884c6010a35c1262410cccf61328/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495986&Signature=KsBl~ltWvVd4wZ5XWwUq7XKyv8KmFjj5v79Tz4lYzjBMQyzqMDw~z3KJvwDG6f-1fa2cugDo6d6tqUDmt1gh2rCjvllM3x9-2ConvBhcVa9SctRckPW5U0zWqrdv1CP3IpCdQ8ayisgfkC6tifPyy4dKUCY-3OEvH3n8rMi9j25Gf0R6tutISLuuwhDS~IU0VXSsRzRxtiY-aNFMRS8skZbz~Iu6rT5aBHSJ2aSC-nm1JBmOtSd1ZD5wRgngYYSmE64mg4wg4Ke-HyRNq9pS7LNby0Zg3fCmNME~fOavg~nDFbLZ3PYsoRtKpVJgrDzKAR6SJ6ytsebxFY3y~RVdWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-04-13T06:04:25.263Z","article","City finance staff presented the citywide long‑term financial strategy and the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) team previewed the department’s draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal 2026 at the April 9 meeting.

Finance framing and ballot timing

Charlotte Heskey, budget officer for the City of Boulder finance department, told the board the city is preparing a multiyear strategy to reduce reliance on sales and use tax, expand revenue diversity and address a $380 million estimate of unfunded and underfunded needs across city programs. The initiative is building on prior recommendations from blue‑ribbon reports and will include public engagement branded as ‘‘Fund Our Future’’ (community conversations July–October 2025 and polling in 2026).

Heskey described two ballot measure concepts under active discussion for 2025: extending the existing 0.3% Community Culture Resilience and Safety (CCRS) sales and use tax beyond 2036 (or consider making it permanent) and creating an expanded ‘‘public realm tax’’ that would raise the parks property‑tax increment from 0.9 mills to about 2.252 mills and broaden allowable uses to include parks, open space, civic buildings and the public right‑of‑way. City staff estimated the CCRS extension would yield roughly $15 million annually; the proposed public realm increment is estimated at about $7 million annually. Heskey said final decisions and polling analysis will be presented to council through late 2025 and into 2026.

Why this matters: the long‑term plan aims to increase fiscal stability, prioritize core services and provide more predictable funding for capital maintenance in the face of slowing sales tax growth and federal/state uncertainty.

OSMP CIP preview

OSMP staff presented a high‑level view of the 2026 draft CIP and 10‑year capital trend analysis. Cole Moffitt and Sam McQueen said the department expects a fiscally constrained environment in 2026 and emphasized priorities that align with the OSMP master plan and board strategic priorities: wildfire and climate resilience, enhanced presence on OSMP lands, and integrated work planning. The draft CIP reduces spending in later out‑years to balance delivery capacity and fiscal constraints.

Staff called out the Mount Sanitas trail and mesa improvements as a grant‑funded project on the 2026 list; OSMP’s memo shows about $3.5 million of the Mount Sanitas work will be reimbursed from awarded grant funds with the balance carried in the OSMP CIP across 2025–27. The department also noted a proposed ‘‘Wildfire Resilient Landscapes: Fuels Mitigation’’ investment and included trailhead redesigns that can support increased ranger presence and visitor management.

Next steps and budget timing

Finance will present the city forecast and targets to council in May; OSMP will provide a written budget update to the board in May and a fuller staff presentation and numbers in June. City leaders said the Fund Our Future public engagement effort will feed into any multiyear ballot decisions in 2025 and 2026.

Ending

Trustees asked staff to continue reporting OSMP budget trade‑offs, to highlight Flagstaff‑related capital and operating requests as the Flagstaff operations work proceeds, and to provide additional breakdowns of how proposed revenues link to sustainability, equity and resilience outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-9-25 Open Space Board of Trustees Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City finance staff described a multiyear financial strategy aimed at diversifying revenues and addressing a large backlog of unfunded needs; OSMP previewed its draft 2026 capital program, highlighting wildfire resilience, trail and trailhead work and the Mount Sanitas project funded in part by a grant.","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},6606205,"Trustees elect Harmon Zuckerman chair; board approves March minutes with one abstention",107,852000,959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391&start=852&end=959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391/thumbnail_852000.jpg","/articles/6606205/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Trustees-elect-Harmon-Zuckerman-chair-board-approves-March-minutes-with-one-abstention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606205-81b39c656c23ae001ecefee3eb04a6f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495986&Signature=evUmhtDSDFqtUnfB8ze1JA4IwI5oVwarge9dxAYY8GRAYF8aKXxKWHSYfzBfW9FDWv-r6yydpc28MfTkrgzXEVsPgQPRRvqKdBWKzLpynBiE2w82rV4181gdJgks84osNL57VtCrLaRJD3iwLOuq0zzvBDW4OaeDOWC4lGTJPFpp~8yxF2WSkM~zkP3VpE5IksWU1r7bA5AnTZCgELjQRd9W3A3fi1rC60lRgYPtpqSrqfrwIGxe~2rCEi6qcYSFaD41tJIfm5YJaGVeqYWIVg309lYiMUFT7C~xpu0ON3LNt1O5V1SIO6VAmOx9ykV9bO-W2e8MOcs3fp3O4Kg6MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Open Space Board of Trustees conducted annual officer elections at its April 9 meeting and approved board minutes from March.

In nominations and vote

Trustee Michelle Estrella nominated Harmon Zuckerman as chair, John Carroll for vice chair, and Leah Russell to serve as secretary. Estrella moved the slate and Trustee Brady seconded the motion; trustees voted by roll call and the slate passed unanimously. Trustees John Carroll, Sarah (last name not stated), Brady, Harmon Zuckerman and Michelle Estrella voted yes.

Approval of minutes

Trustee Estrella moved and Trustee Glenn seconded a motion to approve the March meeting minutes. By roll call the board approved the minutes with four votes in favor and one abstention (Robinson cited absence from the March meeting). The clerk recorded the outcome as 4–0–1 (yes–no–abstain).

Why this matters: Annual officer elections determine board leadership for the coming year and the approved minutes record prior board action and provide continuity in governance.

Board actions (summary)

- Election of officers: Harmon Zuckerman, chair; John Carroll, vice chair; Leah Russell, secretary. Motion passed unanimously by roll call. No recorded dissents.
- Approval of March minutes: Motion passed by roll call vote, 4 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Trustee Robinson).

Ending

The newly elected chair, Harmon Zuckerman, then presided over the remainder of the meeting.","At the April 9 meeting the Open Space Board of Trustees unanimously elected Harmon Zuckerman as chair, John Carroll as vice chair and Leah Russell as secretary. The board also approved March minutes 4–0–1 (one abstention).",{"_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},6606210,"Open Space volunteers credited with 20,000+ hours; OSMP reads National Volunteer Week declaration",620,2627000,3247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391&start=2627&end=3247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391/thumbnail_2627000.jpg","/articles/6606210/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Open-Space-volunteers-credited-with-20000-hours-OSMP-reads-National-Volunteer-Week-declaration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606210-ccffd94ff983c47bfb52101081c5abc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495986&Signature=AlozZKgN73tLTLBEq4u2JH~BpPMgQH-2dXaHNxpeVh3zEXrap-pV0q-lZFzJsuECzDP7n5GkYy~eNNLQrkOuXpb7J~l~sXWnMDRyvV3Eaz6KHzmr3kilqzegWAZ3zbryKUKR9s31AIVuuuhlDvl-iND5vvhmD3aP3PZ8yDyHPzddf3u-Ri-t38hoXYKofuGj4W-KhYez35rKH~SYRhhsMEXBlZ3BnYtE5s0J8zg7OCAUrL4Df0ASlLE2bZ0mHYlm642X5NtaEMrjlz1~HirEpnrH1bLD5MupaZoYtHjEwslWEaEnTIFYkHMmuqOI4oNFL3gwg-mNb0IugBk9M4d-1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Open Space and Mountain Parks staff and trustees used the April 9 meeting to recognize the department’s volunteer corps, present 2024 participation metrics and proclaim National Volunteer Week.

Debbie Cushman, the department’s volunteerism and service‑learning program manager, said the program involved ‘‘over 1,600 volunteers’’ who logged ‘‘over 20,000 hours’’ of work on city open space in 2024. Cushman told trustees staff equate that effort to about ‘‘$750,000’’ in value and showed the board a breakdown of volunteer hours by program (one‑day events, trail work, raptor monitoring, bike patrol and other ongoing programs).

Why this matters: volunteers provide a mix of one‑time and ongoing services to the department, from trail maintenance to visitor outreach and wildlife monitoring. Cushman and trustees said volunteer labor both leverages staff capacity and improves public stewardship of open space.

Volunteer highlights and testimony

Staff spotlighted longtime volunteers at the meeting. Mitch Smith, a bike‑patrol volunteer since 2008, has recorded more hours than any other volunteer in OSMP history — ‘‘more than 3,500 hours,’’ Cushman said — and Chuck Anderson was recognized for managing volunteer-hour records and for creating partnerships such as the horse‑ambassador outreach program.

Mitch Smith described typical bike‑patrol work: ‘‘People love it. I help people out really. And I just it’s just part of my nature,’’ he said, and recounted helping a lost runner find his way to a community center one winter evening. Chuck Anderson said ambassador horses draw visitors to outreach tables and ‘‘help share the importance about co‑recreating with horses, bikes, hikers and everyone sharing the trail.’’

Board recognition and proclamation

Newly seated Chair Harmon Zuckerman read a declaration recognizing National Volunteer Week (April 26, 2025) and thanking volunteers for protecting resources and helping the public safely enjoy open space. Trustees and staff encouraged board members to participate in volunteer outings and one‑day projects; staff offered to arrange shadowing opportunities for trustees interested in experiencing programs such as bike patrol, bat and raptor monitoring, and trash‑removal events.

Ending

Cushman invited trustees and the public to upcoming volunteer events and said program leaders will continue to emphasize family‑friendly and service‑learning opportunities. The board asked staff to share additional volunteer dates and to help promote ways trustees and residents can take part.

","Open Space and Mountain Parks staff recognized volunteers’ contributions, reported volunteer program metrics for 2024 and read a proclamation marking National Volunteer Week. Staff and volunteers described outreach, trail patrol and interpretive roles and urged board members to engage with volunteer opportunities.",{"_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},6606213,"Boulder trustees, staff and neighbors press for faster action on Flagstaff Road safety and wildfire risk",3965,1080000,5045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391&start=1080&end=5045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2978001-f983afc8444562da2cf62a94b9211391/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","/articles/6606213/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-trustees-staff-and-neighbors-press-for-faster-action-on-Flagstaff-Road-safety-and-wildfire-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606213-548a581eccf65ad8abbaa6ed0b22f468/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495986&Signature=MFXLONu3RBFzawcmjXxz2Vs8Dbo0QE4SKZX2R6IJ5F0nazfYidFrbsrgqdDmBzGYalR4bk3cCN1tmnpRG0IbKMfsqW649~UCQvQUsraT0Zf7uXJYuKGUJCKoStaBlMD7qjK78-2YWk2NwXnBNvhT7gjk7SjY61eFughwbR5HGsGmMFJ6uX~5x6YZI6QltSFrGICUKAnbDcaQ8u2aCgCufoxMJRqtY~z7PH1JYTCr2xLLADLdq2ISFtwr9rrTsSSz4bhl3JYrW57N-1WzmU3lmf4E~m75UUwPq6NNPmKboJj8ynQb-GNOQn-YzMcSlv~x8oxIMON3l9T~KZXaOwOfEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and local safety advocates urged the Open Space Board of Trustees and city staff on April 9 to move quickly to reduce illegal parking, noisy late-night parties and fire-starting activity along Flagstaff Road on Flagstaff Mountain, citing multiple recent human-caused fires and threats to public safety.

The community concern coalesced around Panorama Point and other pullouts where people are parking outside posted hours, setting off fireworks and engaging in illegal activities. ‘‘We need to deny safe harbor to people on the road and in parking lots after hours,’’ said Josh Alban of the Flagstaff Fire Action Prevention Group, urging the board to ‘‘block the parking lots’’ and increase enforcement.

City staff told the board they are treating the Flagstaff Corridor project as both planning and active implementation: an infrastructure- and operations-focused site and management plan that will prioritize visitor safety, resource protection and clearer definitions of designated parking. Jeff Haley, deputy director for visitor experience and infrastructure, said the project goes beyond wildfire to include crime prevention and visitor management and that staff have already implemented some actions such as closing selected pullouts, adjusting parking hours and removing grills from picnic areas.

Why this matters: multiple speakers said the corridor is a public-safety risk during the spring/ summer fire season. Neighbors described near-misses when small fires were extinguished quickly and said unchecked activity could lead to a wildfire that spreads from the mountain into neighborhoods below.

What staff reported

Bill Wildenberg, who led the staff briefing, described the starting point: OSMP has inventoried parking and access along the corridor and found roughly 10 designated access points (five trailheads and five signed access points) and about 45 undesignated pullouts that visitors use and that look similar to designated places from the road. ‘‘We have 55 places visitors can park, but we’ve only designated 10 places in total,’’ Wildenberg said; staff also told the board there are 62 designated parking spaces between the one- and five-mile markers of Flagstaff Road.

Staff presented a menu of possible short-, mid- and long-term actions. Short-term ideas include targeted closures or gate pilots at a small number of locations OSMP controls (Panorama Point was discussed repeatedly as a candidate), increased night patrols and temporary ‘‘quick wins’’ such as clearer signage and tow‑away notices. Mid- and long-term ideas under review range from license-plate readers, 360-degree camera trailers or permanent camera installations, to permanent gating solutions coordinated with Boulder County and the sheriff’s office. Staff cautioned that some measures will require multiagency decisions, capital funding and operations plans.

Public voice and board reaction

Multiple residents asked the board to escalate the issue to city council and the city manager, and to push the sheriff and police for patrols. ‘‘We need action. Right now, we’re heading into fire season,’’ said Lauren Lambert Feldman of the Flagstaff Fire Action Prevention Committee. Jan Burton, a neighborhood volunteer and raptor monitor, said the activity had prompted her to remove trees on her property and called for the city to demand enforcement from the sheriff or to commit resources if deputies will not patrol the corridor.

Board members generally expressed sympathy with neighbors and urged staff to identify the actions the board can influence directly and which items require county or interagency authority. Trustee Michelle Estrella said the board should focus energy on ‘‘what we can actually influence rather than the things that we want but can’t.’’ Trustee Brady (last name not stated in transcript) urged testing one or two high-impact actions on OSMP-controlled sites and publicizing results; several trustees said stepped-up patrol presence would likely deter much of the problematic behavior.

Next steps and constraints

Staff said they will continue vetting the full list of actions, consult partner agencies (Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Police Department, Boulder County Transportation and nearby residents) and prioritize ‘‘quick wins’’ they can implement on OSMP land without requiring county approval. Bill Wildenberg noted the county has responsibility for resurfacing the roadway in a future year, a potential opportunity to coordinate infrastructure changes and possible cost sharing.

No formal board action was taken at the meeting. Trustees directed staff to continue analysis, to test feasible pilots on OSMP-controlled access points, and to report back with refined costs, recommended pilots and timelines.

Ending

Staff asked for substantive community input as the list is refined; several board members said they would support escalating policy recommendations to council where county actions or additional funding are required. Residents asked for a visible demonstration of enforcement while longer-term solutions are developed.

","Residents and a city staff team urged faster, tangible measures to curb illegal nighttime activity, fireworks and parking on Flagstaff Road. Staff outlined a multi-step operations and infrastructure review and said some short-term actions could be piloted while longer changes would require multiagency agreements and funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City outlines long‑term financial strategy and OSMP previews 2026 capital priorities

Trustees elect Harmon Zuckerman chair; board approves March minutes with one abstention

Open Space volunteers credited with 20,000+ hours; OSMP reads National Volunteer Week declaration

Boulder trustees, staff and neighbors press for faster action on Flagstaff Road safety and wildfire risk