The Capital Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission support a proposal for the division to acquire a perpetual road easement across private land into the Russell Lake State Wildlife Area in Sewatch County.

The vote on the recommendation came after a brief presentation from the Department of Natural Resources and formalizes a shared-use arrangement for an existing dirt road that crosses both private property and the wildlife area. Committee members were told the easement would allow both the landowner (and future property owners) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to use the road but would not create new public access points.

"This property transaction proposal essentially just formalizes an agreement between CPW and private property owner in Sewatch County for use of a dirt road that leads into the Russell Lake State Wildlife Area," said Daphne Gervais, director of legislative affairs with the Department of Natural Resources. Gervais said the easement "would be exclusively for the... property owner and future property owners along with CPW's. It doesn't provide additional public access to the state wildlife area which can be accessed through a different points of entry."

Gervais said CPW staff participating online included Rick Bassagoesha, area wildlife manager, and Kim Rogers, real estate section manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She also reported that Representative Martinez and Senator Simpson had authorized her to say they support the proposal; she said she did not have time to gather letters of support for the committee.

Senator Malika moved the committee recommendation, invoking the statutory language read into the record: "Pursuant to CRS 30 three-one-one hundred and 5 and CRS 30 three-ten-one hundred and 7, I move to recommend the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission support for the division of Parks and Wildlife proposal to acquire a perpetual road easement." Mister Bishop conducted the roll call and announced the motion passed unanimously. The roll call in the record shows Senator Henriksen (yes), Representative Lindsey (yes), Representative Winter (yes) and Senator Malika (yes); Senator Pelton was recorded as excused.

With the committee's recommendation, the matter is forwarded to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for consideration; the commission's action on the easement was not recorded in this meeting.

The Capital Development Committee adjourned after the vote.