Walker Ranch Management Plan Public Comments - Boulder County

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

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Attachments: 

Suzanne Webel 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 8:50 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

BCHA Walker Ranch Mgmt Plan Recommendations 

Walker Ranch Mgmt Plan BCHA Recs with appendices.pdf 

Hi Jesse 

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to offer our feedback on the proposed Walker Ranch Management Plan. 

This document is a bit long, but much of it consists of text and maps from the 1988 management plan for context (you 

asked me for context, remember?!?) 

I will also send you in a separate email the 2007 BATCO letter, complete with photos, wherein we recommended the 

Wall reroute and offered funding from the sale of our trail map. The BATCO Board will be meeting on Nov. 26 and may 

have an updated set of recommendations for the current Walker Ranch Management Plan as well. 

I'm hoping that you will be able to incorporate our recommendations into the next version of your plan, because we 

have waited a long time (24 years!) for these improvements. 

Now is the time to bring forth a real vision for this area! 

Thanks. Feel free to call if you have questions. 

Suzanne 

303-485-2162 

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Boulder County Parks & Open Space 

Attn: Jesse Rounds 

Nov. 18, 2012 

Re: Walker Ranch Management Plan 

The Boulder County Horse Association (BHCA) offers the following observations and 

recommendations regarding the Walker Ranch Management Plan. This area has historically 

been very important “equestrian habitat” because it is close to Boulder, contains historic 

ranches and roads, provides regional trail connections and on-‐site trail experiences, 

viewsheds, geologic formations, wildlife, and other natural resources. 

We are very familiar with the property, its history, issues and opportunities. Therefore, we 

are very disappointed with the direction BCPOS seems to be taking with its proposed 

management plan. Specifically, staff is proposing to close large areas of the park in the name 

of vague “wildlife habitat” protection without offering data showing any truly sensitive 

resources in those areas and without offering the recreation community anything in 

exchange for the closures. 

1) Meyers Gulch. Your slide show pointed out that it is staff’s intent to “honor” the 

previous management plan, which was completed in 1988 (see attached map). You 

didn’t mention that the 1988 plan contained recommendations for several additional 

trails to be built at Meyers Gulch, trails which have never been built. They would 

mostly utilize old ranch roads, are now marked as “fire roads,” and they have served 

as much-‐loved off-‐trail experiences for pedestrians and equestrians for the past 

hundred years. We had hoped that now would be the time to designate those old 

roads as trails, if not for all user groups then for pedestrians and equestrians. 

Instead, you are now proposing to close the entire area west of Meyers Gulch in the 

name of vague wildlife protection, elk migration routes, and an aspen grove (!). 

We’ve had this discussion many times before: elk really don’t care about non-motorized 

recreation, and are not a legitimate reason to close vast tracts of public 

land. The area in question is not “pristine wilderness” but is instead a much-‐used, 

much altered mosaic of ranch roads, quarry pits, logged patches, open pine 

savannahs and a few shady slopes. The “aspen grove” consists of a few dozen 

straggly specimens but is hardly distinctive or especially worthy of “protection.”

Staff has not proved – because there are no data to support your assumptions -‐-‐ that 

the existing levels and types of passive recreation have any detrimental effect on any 

part of the ecosystem, at Meyers Gulch or elsewhere. 

Therefore, please DO NOT CLOSE this area! Either designate the “fire roads” as 

trails -‐-‐ as promised in 1988 -‐-‐ or just continue with the existing management of 

the area, allowing for existing off-‐trail use by equestrians and pedestrians. 

2) The Wall and the Walker Ranch Loop. Equestrians used to be able to complete the 

entire Walker Ranch Loop with ease, and I myself rode it many times in the 1980’s 

and early 1990’s. Indeed, I wrote the trail log attached in 1996, pointing out rather 

blandly that it was becoming somewhat dangerous and that it might be advisable for 

equestrians to dismount and lead their horses on the Wall -‐-‐ but that “Open Space 

plans to re-‐route this section this summer.” Ten years went by with repeated and 

increasingly urgent requests to reroute the Wall, which of course kept right on 

deteriorating. The Trails & Facilities Capital Improvements Projects for 2006-‐2011 

earmarked $50,000 to reroute the Wall in 2007, but the project kept being put off. In 

2007 BATCO funded a study of possible reroutes and offered to help fund the trail 

reconstruction, but the IMBA consultant found that “too many” switchbacks would be 

required to adhere to IMBA trail standards so the project was abandoned. 

The Wall is an accident – and a lawsuit – waiting to happen. The current “trail” 

consists of dozens of large logs bolted to the bare cliff face, most of which are in 

various stages of falling off the cliff. Hikers have fallen, mountain bikers have to 

carry their bikes over the cliff, and the cliff area is closed entirely to horses. We 

believe that there is at least one reroute that would be safe and sustainable for all 

non-‐motorized users, would have minimal environmental impacts. It might be 

expensive, but it would be far less expensive than a lawsuit. It might not conform to 

IMBA standards, but neither does the status quo. 

Please include a safe, sustainable reroute of “The Wall” in the new management 

plan. It CAN be done! 

We are indifferent to the proposed reroute of the “road” portion of the loop trail 

between Ethel Harrold and the Eldorado Canyon Trail junction. 

3) Eldorado Canyon Trail. In the good old days, the public used to be able to ride and 

hike up Kneale Road from Eldorado Canyon State Park to Walker Ranch. Then the 

Board of County Commissioners vacated the road, successfully ensuring that 

residents of the area would have their own private preserve surrounded by public 

lands. To re-‐create a public connection between the State Park and Walker Ranch, 

BCHA built the Eldorado Canyon Trail in the mid-‐1980’s. We acknowledge that “our” 

trail, like the Wall, has worn out and needs a serious overhaul. 

If any work is done on the Eldorado Canyon Trail we insist that it be constructed 

to equestrian standards and that horses continue to be allowed on this trail.

We further request that serious negotiations be conducted with Excel, OSMP, and 

the residents to reopen Kneale Road to non-‐motorized recreation between 

Eldorado Canyon State Park and Walker Ranch. 

4) Walker Ranch “valley access.” BCPOS has made a vague reference to opening the 

ranch “below” the homestead, with no information about what that would give us in 

the way of access or valued recreational experiences. 

This might be the greatest gift since sliced bread, but please tell us why we 

should be happy about it. 

5) Homestead Loop. BCPOS has proposed closing the homestead area entirely in this 

new management plan, thereby forgoing an excellent cultural opportunity for the 

public to experience the historic nature of this area. 

We request that a short new trail be constructed connecting the Ethel Harrold TH 

with the Walker Ranch Loop TH, with on-‐trail-‐only use in that one area, so that 

visitors could see the ranch complex without damaging it. 

6) Regional Trail Connections. Each management agency has blinders on when it 

comes to looking beyond its boundaries. We support those who have been 

advocating for more regional trail connections from Walker Ranch to the Aqueduct, 

and from Walker Ranch to Gross Reservoir (and beyond). 

Please expand your planning scope beyond just the boundaries of this, and other, 

BCPOS parks – and let’s get some of these regional connections done! 

7) Horse Trailer Parking at Walker Ranch Trailheads. In order for equestrians to 

continue being able to enjoy this park, we need designated horse trailer parking. The 

small area at the newly-‐constructed Walker Ranch TH is fine, but doesn’t serve the 

other two trailheads. 

Please build designated horse trailer parking at both the Meyers Gulch and Ethel 

Harrold trailheads. 

Thank you for this opportunity to provide our comments and recommendations. Please 

look to BCHA as a partner in making informed management decisions concerning recreation 

and equestrians. 


External Vice President, Trails & Public Lands Committee

Rounds, Jesse 

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012 8:55 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

BATCO 2007 Walker Wall Recommendations 

WALLREROUTE4FIN.doc 

Jesse: 

Here's the BATCO document to which I referred earlier, recommending a reroute of the Wall section of trail at Walker 

Ranch. In spite of the consultant's subsequent recommendations, we continue to believe that a reroute is possible and 

desirable. 

Suzanne 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Guy Burgess 

Adam Massey 

Chris Morrison 

Mike O’Brien 

Gary Sprung 

Holly Tulin 

Eric Vogelsberg 

Suzanne Webel 

Dec. 7, 2006 

TO: Boulder County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee 

SUBJECT: Reroute of the “Wall” section of the Walker Ranch Loop 

BATCO recently learned that staff has proposed another delay of “the 

Wall” re-route project at Walker Ranch, which until recently has been 

scheduled for 2007. Because the user communities we represent are 

vitally interested in improving the safety and accessibility of this 

important connection, we propose to provide both funding and project 

support that can enable BCPOS to complete the project in 2007. 

“The Wall” is located just south of the bridge at South Boulder Creek. 

Please review the attached documentation showing current unsafe 

and unsustainable conditions at the Wall. BCPOS identified the Wall 

as a high priority for rerouting as far back as 1991, and a new route 

was surveyed and flagged at that time. The flags are still there, and 

the route remains an excellent, sustainable alignment. The proposed 

route is short, safe, not far from the current alignment, will reduce 

impacts, and feels like a natural walk in the woods. 

As you may know, funds from sales of our Comprehensive Trail Map 

of Boulder County are to be allocated to new trail construction and 

maintenance. We have identified the reroute of the Wall at Walker 

Ranch as one of our highest priorities. BATCO hereby offers Boulder 

County Parks and Open Space a grant of $12,500 plus support to 

recruit trail building resources and volunteers so this work can be 

done during 2007. We also offer to “adopt” this key section of trail 

and will commit to its ongoing maintenance in the future. 

We believe this project is an excellent example of a true partnership 

between the County and its citizens, and could be a model for future 

successful relationships. We therefore urge staff and POSAC to take 

advantage of our proposed grant to complete the Wall reroute project 

during 2007. Please accept our offer of hard-earned funds and 

support. 

Sincerely, 

The BATCO Board of Directors 

BATCO PMB 201 1705 14 TH St. Boulder, CO 80302 

www.bouldertrails.org

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Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Attachments: 

Steve Jones 

Friday, November 23, 2012 2:56 PM 

Rounds, Jesse; Stewart, Ron; sspalding@bouldercounty.org 

Walker Ranch management comments from Boulder County Audubon 

Walker Ranch management letter .docx 

23 November, 2012 

Jesse Rounds, Resource Planner, Boulder County Parks and Open Space 

cc: Ron Stewart, Director; Susan Spalding, Senior Biologist; Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee 

Dear Jesse, 

Thanks so much for hosting the November 13 meeting to discuss the Walker Ranch Management Plan with 

various user and conservation groups. We appreciate your patience in answering all our questions and 

responding to our concerns, and we look forward to seeing the draft written plan. 

For the most part, we are in agreement with staff management recommendations as presented during the 

meeting. We do have a few significant concerns, mostly stemming from the need to protect wildlife habitat in 

the Meyers Gulch area. As you know, this is one of the few remaining areas in the foothills of Boulder County 

where nature lovers can quietly observe a full suite of native birds and mammals, including mountain lions, 

bobcats, black bears, elk, dusky grouse, wild turkeys, red-naped sapsuckers, and at least 50 species of breeding 

songbirds. It's imperative that we continue to protect this resource. To this end, we recommend the following: 

1. The Meyers Gulch trail needs to remain an "out and back" trail, rather than a link in a regional multiuse trail 

network. We were dismayed to see a purple arrow on the planning map showing a potential link between upper 

Meyers Gulch and Magnolia Road. At a meeting 18 months ago, staff assured us that no such link was planned 

and agreed with us that converting the Meyers Gulch Trail into a multi-use regional trail link would greatly 

increase use and threaten wildlife resources in the area. In addition, such a link would cut through or skirt the 

Hawkins Gulch Environmental Conservation Area, one of the most pristine remaining wildlife resources in the 

county. We noted that, while a potential trail link was indicated on the planning map, there was no reference on 

the map to this environmental conservation area, which directly abuts Meyers Gulch. 

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2. The future plans for the Meyers Gulch fire roads remain unclear to us. You mentioned that you were going to 

try to discourage use of the fire roads by hikers and horseback riders while leaving the entire area open to offtrail 

hiking. This approach seems ambiguous and potentially confusing to hikers. We recommend leaving most 

fire roads open, but signing them very clearly as being off limits to dogs and mountain bikes; and closing all of 

the Meyers Gulch area to off-trail hiking. If the fire roads are available to recreationists, there's really no reason 

for hikers to ever wander off trail. If a prohibition on off-trail hiking is somehow not feasible, we continue to 

feel that the fire roads should be closed to all users during the ground-nesting bird season, roughly April-July. 

3. There was discussion of "improving" the Meyers Gulch Trail/Road and even constructing a multiuse trail 

parallel to it. We urge staff to minimize disturbance of this area with heavy equipment and strongly oppose 

adding a parallel trail, which would only increase habitat fragmentation and disturbance of wildlife. At the very 

least, there should be no heavy equipment in this area during the April-July breeding bird season. 

4. We were pleased that you addressed the issue of regional, multiple-use connector trails through Walker 

Ranch. We would like to see a serious staff commitment to establishing a sustainable and environmentally 

friendly linking trail by a reasonable date in the future. After reviewing all the possibilities, we've concluded 

that the only environmentally-sustainable trail route would follow the existing Eldorado Canyon Trail to Walker 

Ranch, the lower Walker Ranch loop trail, and then connect to the west with County Road 68J. Including 

specific plans for such a trail, and delineating a clear planning process, would strengthen the management plan. 

5. At the moment, we can't find the draft plan online at your website. Since you mentioned presenting this to 

POSAC within a few weeks, we hope it's available to the public very soon. 

As the planning process proceeds, we encourage you to make full use of the more than 500 hours of breeding 

bird and recreational user data collected in Meyers Gulch by Boulder County Nature Association eco-steward 

Laura Osborn (losborn@indra.com) and the extensive data collected by Boulder County Audubon bluebird trail 

volunteers (coordinated by George and Marti Oetzel: nature@birdhike.com). This is an area that's precious to 

Boulder County Audubon, and we're eager to help out with the management plan in any way we can. 

Sincerely, 

Stephen Jones, President 

Boulder County Audubon Society 

3543 Smuggler Way 

Boulder, CO 80305 

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303-494-2468 

curlewsj@comcast.net 

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Rounds, Jesse 

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Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Attachments: 

Follow Up Flag: 

Flag Status: 

Chris Morrison 

Thursday, November 29, 2012 9:32 PM 

Boulder County Walker Ranch Management Plan 

Comments on the Walker Ranch Management Plan from BATCO 

BATCO_Walker_Ranch.pdf 

Follow up 

Completed 

Jesse, 

BATCO’s comments on the new management plan for Walker Ranch are attached. 

We appreciate the opportunity to work with you to improve access to and support of our natural lands. 

Thanks, Chris Morrison 

For BATCO 

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Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Webmaster 

Thursday, December 06, 2012 12:17 PM 


Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

******************************************************************************* 

firstname: Eddie 

lastname: Clark 

email: edwizer26@yahoo.com 

secret: 5 

submit: Submit 

comments: 

As a Boulder County mountain biker/resident for the last 14 years, I beg: 1-Please give us a connector trail from Walker 

Ranch to Eldorado Canyon. 2-Please do not decommission or re-route any of the existing trails at Walker Ranch. 

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Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Ryan Hamilton 

Thursday, December 06, 2012 1:20 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

RE: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

Hi Jesse, 

Thanks for the response. I have been riding Walker for a long time and I have a hard time saying that any portions of the 

trail are "eroded". I think the definition of eroded is subjective. I am pretty sure that the sections of the trail I find the 

most fun to ride are the same sections of trail that are being rerouted due to erosion. I know that BCOS has a 

stewardship responsibility for the trail but I think more effort should be put into studding what is truly a cause for 

concern when it comes to evaluating erosion concern. 

Thanks a bunch, 

Ryan 

-----Original Message----- 

From: Rounds, Jesse [mailto:jrounds@bouldercounty.org] 

Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 1:04 PM 

To: Ryan Hamilton 

Subject: RE: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

Mr. Hamilton, 

Thanks for your email. 

We continue to work closely with the City of Boulder and State Parks to try to create a bikeable connection between 

Eldo and Walker. It is one of the goals that we set out for ourselves at the beginning of the process. We'll continue to 

update stakeholders as we move forward with the process. 

Thanks for your comments regarding trails as well. Our goal is to maintain the feel and experience of the Walker Loop 

trail for the long term. In some cases our trail reroutes are designed to remove highly eroded sections. In other cases 

our reroutes are focused on moving the trail tread off of existing roads to make for a more enjoyable user experience. 

Jesse 

Jesse Rounds 

Resource Planner 

Boulder County Parks and Open Space 

5201 St Vrain Road Longmont, CO 

(o) 303.678.6271 

(f) 303.678.6179 

jrounds@bouldercounty.org 


From: Webmaster 

Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 12:51 PM 

To: Boulder County Walker Ranch Management Plan 

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Subject: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

******************************************************************************* 

firstname: Ryan 

lastname: Hamilton 

email: rhamilton@intermap.com 

secret: 5 


comments: 

The number one priority of the Walker Ranch management plan update should be to focus all effort into connect Walker 

Ranch to Eldorado Canyon. I don't want to see any of the current trails at Walker Ranch closed or altered. If trail changes 

are a mandate of the new management plan then BCOS should look at developing secondary alignments parallel to the 

current alignment shown to be 're-routed' in the trail plan map. With alternate 'less technical' alignments users can 

choose to bypass technical sections, yet all current alignments will remain as part of the trail system. This approach is a 

win-win because mountain bikers get the technical trails they want, while BCOS sees less use on the erodible sections of 

trail, and opens the park to more users. Additional because the new alignments are so close to the current aliments, 

issues regarding habitat fragmentation and over development of wilderness areas are avoided. This concept has already 

been used at Walker Ranch and should be the new management plan of Walker Ranch. 

Thank you for your time, 

Ryan 

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Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

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Cc: 

Subject: 


Flag Status: 

Michael Barrow 

Friday, December 07, 2012 4:09 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

POSAC - Jason Vogel; Shannon Cox Baker 

BMA would like very much to meet RE: Walker Ranch Management Plan 

Follow up 

Completed 

Jesse- 

I apologize for not reaching out sooner and taking advantage of your offer... 

BMA would like to sit down with your team and discuss details that we have issues with with regard to the 

Walker Ranch plan revisit. We have been busy putting together a document that details issues that are 

actionable and reasonable. That document should be in your inbox early next week. 

We know that there is a tight timeline, so I wanted to make contact with you when the document was ready, but 

it isn't and I didn't want to wait any longer. 

I will give you a call when I have sent you the document to discuss when we might have that meeting. 

thanks 

mike barrow 

BMA Advocacy Director 

-- 

The world is run by those who show up. 

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December 4, 2012 

Re: The Walker Ranch Management Plan update 

To: Mr. Stewart and the Walker Ranch management planning team, 

On behalf of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA), our members, and the entire mountain biking 

community, we would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Walker Ranch 

Management Plan update. Approximately 30 BMA members attended the November 14 th open house to 

emphasize the importance of this property and its future management to our community. This property 

provides tremendous opportunities for meeting recreational needs in Boulder County – opportunities that 

can be realized without creating adverse environmental or other impacts. We believe this is an ideal 

opportunity to significantly enhance a recreational asset that will serve Boulder County citizens for 

generations to come. We look forward to partnering with Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff to 

further this vision. 

As you know, BMA exists to serve as a positive voice for mountain biking by making the trails in 

Boulder County a better place for all users. To fulfill this mission, BMA efforts are focused in three 

major areas: (1) advocacy for trail access, (2) building and maintaining trails, and (3) creating a 

community of mountain bikers who support our public lands. BCPOS has successfully collaborated with 

BMA on the second and third elements of our focus areas, as evidenced by our volunteer trail work 

events and the enthusiastic support of BMA’s membership for the last County open space tax ballot 

issue. We have proven that we are constructive, pragmatic, motivated, passionate, and highly-educated 

citizens of Boulder County. We believe it is time to collaborate on our first focus area – advocacy for 

trail access! 

To that end, we request the following: 

1. More time and partnership. There is a lot that can be done to improve Walker Ranch’s mountain 

bike trails within the current historic and resource preservation constraints. However, it will take 

some time to fully vet the many opportunities (some of which we have detailed below) that we 

believe exist. Therefore, we request meetings with staff to explain our ideas and to thoroughly 

discuss the options. In an effort to work within the parameters of your current processes and 

timelines, we would like to meet with staff before the end of December. 

2. Focus on the Eldorado to Walker connection. Every land management agency in the area has 

agreed to this first piece of a regional trail connection, in principle. So let’s build it! In our view, 

connecting Eldorado Canyon State Park to Walker Ranch via Eldorado Canyon State Park’s 

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail is the most feasible option. While we are open to using the north side of the 

canyon instead, a long history of inaction on that connector leads us to believe that management 

collaboration between Eldorado Canyon State Park and BCPOS on a south-side connection is much 

more likely to yield near-term results. Furthermore, to create a fully integrated regional trail system,

it will be important to connect Walker Ranch as close as possible to Chapman Drive (in the Meyer’s 

Gulch area) and west towards Nederland (see #3 below). 

3. Build new trail at Walker. This property presents one of the best and only opportunities to expand 

recreational trail mileage in the entire county portfolio. BMA encourages staff to consider Walker 

Ranch in the context of an already crowded countywide trail system. With anticipated population 

growth in Boulder County and the Metro Denver region, even more crowding is likely. More trails in 

the county portfolio are one obvious tool to address this crowding. We believe that Walker Ranch is 

one of the best opportunities for more trails, county-wide. Developing a new loop trail in the burn 

area on the west side of Walker Ranch could expand recreational opportunity while minimizing 

environmental impacts. One side of this new loop potentially could function as part of a Nederland 

to Boulder “Peaks to Plains” regional trail if a route including Winniger Ridge is selected. BMA 

would happily assist the county in developing a trail corridor and alignment to ensure that the new 

trail would serve the community’s recreational needs and desires. 

4. Focus on the quality of the user experience. Rerouting the trail off of the pipeline road and onto 

single track is a good first step toward improving the quality of the user experience. However, we 

urge staff to consider upgrades to the entire existing trail system by rerouting all sections of trail that 

are in poor condition, provide low-quality recreational experiences, or promote user conflict. This 

can be accomplished while still maintaining the “technical” and challenging experience that visitors 

to the Walker Ranch Loop so enjoy. BMA would happily assist BCPOS with our volunteers 

experienced in advanced trail design as well as working in collaboration with professional trail 

builders experienced at building advanced trails. Other considerations may include rerouting the 

easier trail in the Meyer’s Gulch area so that it does not share a roadway for forestry work; providing 

multiple lines for different skill levels such as those already in place on the Walker Ranch Loop; and 

providing multiple options from the trailhead by opening a new loop trail at Walker Ranch. 

As Boulder County’s leading advocate for mountain bikers, for trails, and for our public lands, we hope 

you will reach out to us to discuss how we can most effectively engage in the Walker Ranch 

Management Plan update. 

Sincerely on behalf of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance board of directors and our membership, 

Dr. Jason M. Vogel 

President, BMA

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Dave Thompson 

Monday, December 10, 2012 11:05 AM 

Rounds, Jesse 


I guess I am a little confused. The most eroded section of the trail (by far) is the section just South of the bridge 

over the creek on the West side. It has large ruts, and sediment most likely is carried directly into the creek 

below. This section does not appear to be rerouted on the proposed trail map. At the same time, the switchbacks 

on the North and South sides are proposed to be rerouted, even though erosion seems minimal and those 

sections are farther away from a water way. It seems that if the goal is to reduce sediment runoff into the creeks, 

the proposed realignments are not in the most effect spots. 

On Dec 10, 2012 10:39 AM, "Rounds, Jesse" wrote: 

Mr. Thompson, 

Thank you for your email and thanks for getting out on Boulder County trails. 

I fear that I may be responsible for a lot of the concern regarding changes at Walker Ranch. It is normal and 

even necessary for us to rebuild, redesign, or even reroute sections of trail over time. This can be due to 

erosion, adjacent impacts, or even just poor trail design. On trails like the Walker Ranch Loop, trail design 

philosophy has changed a lot since it was first built. Our goal in any redesign ought to be to improve or 

maintain the experience and reduce erosion potential. 

A lot of commenters have asked that we maintain sections that we might think are erosive but are some of the 

best trail sections in the park. Unfortunately, that would constitute some pretty irresponsible management as 

erosion can have terrible impacts on the trail, the surrounding land, and water quality. Thus, reroutes are 

necessary in some cases where users don't seem them as necessary. Therefore, my goal is to ensure that our 

trail and resource management staff understand that it ought to be a goal of these reroutes to maintain the user 

experience while reducing erosive potential. 

This holds true for those sections where we already have parallel trail segments. We may introduce more of 

those opportunities where it's possible, but we do not want to do that if introducing a parallel segment degrades 

habitat or increases impacts. 

All that said, I hope you understand that we've heard from many about maintaining the current trail experience 

and I will communicate to our staff that we ought to do that. In some cases, that may not be possible for short 

stretches of trail. However, I think we can all agree that over the entirety of the trail we want to create an 

"intermediate level challenge." 

Thanks again for your comment and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other comments or 

questions. 

Jesse 

Jesse Rounds 




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(o) 303.678.6271 

(f) 303.678.6179 



From: Webmaster 

Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2012 10:32 PM 

To: Boulder County Walker Ranch Management Plan 

Subject: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

******************************************************************************* 

firstname: Dave 

lastname: Thompson 

email: dthomp325@gmail.com 

secret: 5 


comments: 

As a mountain biker, I am excited about the proposed reroutes around the road section in the Northeast corner 

of the Walker Ranch trail system. I am also excited about the possibility of a connector trail to Eldorado 

Canyon. I live in Louisville, and it would be really awesome to be able to ride to Walker from my house. 

However, I am concerned about the proposed reroutes on the North and South side of the trail system. These 

steep and rocky sections offer challenges that are found nowhere else in Boulder Country, and are the signature 

sections of Walker Ranch. I enjoy mountain biking because of the rugged experience. The steep switch back 

section on the North side of the trail system and the rocky section on the South side of the trail system are fun 

and challenging in both directions, and are some of my favorite trail sections in the Front Range. I would hate to 

see these sections being rerouted. I strongly believe that rocks and other obstacles offer a more fun experience 

for mountain bikers, while simultaneously controlling rider speeds and hence offering a better experience for 

other trail users. If the proposed reroutes on the North and South are pursued, I hope that the existing trail 

alignment is left in place so that trail users can choose which route is more suitable for their recreation. 

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Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 


Flag Status: 

Jordan Williford 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 1:13 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 


Follow up 

Completed 

Hi Jesse, again I want to thank you for explaining how trail building/restoration projects work. I think creating 

a "good" trail is nearly impossible, because the definition of "good" trail is so different between beginner to 

expert users and types of users (bikers, hikers, equestrians, etc). A beginner mtber would think the Marshall 

Mesa trail system is great while for an intermediate cyclist it is completely boring. I have multiple friends in 

both parties. Hikers might also find some of those trails boring compared to some of the great West TSA 

trails. 

I think the key is to aim for a variety of trail types to suit different types of trail users, hikers/bikers/horses AND 

beginners/intermediates/experts. Once you have that, you have a good trail system. Not every trail will please 

hikers, not every trail will please bikers. Not every trail will please beginners, not every trail will please 

experts. Trying to create a multi-purpose trail to please everyone will most likely please few. 

I guess the crux of my questions is, are biking trails all being made to be "greens" primarily in consideration for 

everyone being able to use them (aka the lowest common denominator), or primarily for sustainability 

issues? One recent example is the Hall Ranch change at the top of the Bitterbrush trail. Moving the trail to 

more exposed land to keep it drier more of the year is a good idea for a trail that sees so much use. The overuse 

of switchbacks on a flat hillside surely does not please hikers and equestrians and I know it doesn't please 

bikers. There must have been a compelling reason to annoy all of the user groups and I would like to 

understand what it was. Picture Rock is another example. Understanding this will help me understand where 

BCPOS is coming from in regards to Walker too. 

I must say it does not give me hope for the future of biking at Walker Ranch that you have only ridden it 

once. If this snow melts and it warms up again before the real winter hits, I would like to extend an invitation to 

ride it with me. Any day/time works. The post-ride beer is on me. 

One way to get valuable input on trail projects is to branch out to other trail organizations to ask questions about 

what they've done, what works, what doesn't. These two guys below have been involved with some amazing 

work on new hiking and biking trails and trail restoration in the last 5-10 years. They are both good guys and I 

know they would be happy to share experiences back and forth. Many of their users actually overlap with your 

users too, as front rangers travel to their areas just to ride and hike. 

Dave Wiens 

http://gunnisontrails.com/ 

970-275-0485 

Dave Ochs 

http://www.cbmba.org/ 

Thanks 

13

Jordan 

From: jrounds@bouldercounty.org 

To: jordanwilliford@hotmail.com 


Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:42:53 +0000 

Jordan, 

The major land managers that have mountain biking trails on their land are the US Forest Service, Boulder 

County Parks and Open Space, and the City of Boulder OSMP. That’s vaguely in order of miles of trail 

managed. 

Of the one’s you listed all except the West Mag system are on Boulder County Parks and Open Space 

land. West Mag is within the Forest Service system. 

As for reroutes at Walker and the existing trail rating, I am in no way a “good” mountain biker, but I’ve gotten 

my way around Walker once. For me, it’s a tough ride and I think it’s probably the toughest within the BCPOS 

system. When we first designated and built trails for mountain bikes back in the 80s, I don’t think anyone knew 

what a “good” trail was. Since that time we’ve worked with BMA and IMBA consultants on a number of trails 

to improve them or to construct them anew. We try to strike a balance between interesting and sustainable 

trails. We also have to consider the fact that our trails are multi-purpose so huge rocks and obstacles, while fun, 

aren’t appropriate when we have to consider equestrian and pedestrian users. 

Therefore, when we build a trail or reroute a section of a trail we rely on stakeholders such as BMA and the 

Boulder County Horse Association to guide us on some designs… The actual process for design can 

vary. Often we will get a route designed by a consultant and then the trail tread will be designed and built by 

our staff and volunteers. This rarely occurs with reroutes because we have a very experienced and capable staff 

who stay current with sustainable trail design standards. However, in some cases, where reroutes are large or 

will significantly redirect users, we sit down with stakeholders to ask their advice. Also, because we have such 

an active user base for our trails, they are often built by volunteers who bring their own ideas to the trail and 

may add features that appeal to them if approved by on-site staff. 

As for inter-agency cooperation and consultation. We definitely discuss ideas with other Boulder County-based 

land managers but there are also state- and nation-wide conferences and gatherings to discuss innovation in trail 

design and park management. About 2 months ago, we had a two day long seminar with a nationally 

recognized trail design consultant out in the field. These sorts of opportunities allow us to learn new techniques 

and to try to adapt popular techniques to our topography and geology. 

Thanks, 

14

Jesse 

Jesse Rounds 




(o) 303.678.6271 

(f) 303.678.6179 


From: Jordan Williford [mailto:jordanwilliford@hotmail.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 11:08 AM 

To: Rounds, Jesse 


Hi Jesse, thank you so much for your quick and long-winded response! It really helps me understand the 

process and the thinking behind the work. It also helps to know about the inter-agency partnering required for 

an Eldo connector to Walker, though it makes me wonder which agencies are responsible for managing other 

area mtb trails. Are all of these projects below managed by BCOS or are they other city/local agencies? 

-trail work at Hall in the last month or two 

-new Betasso Benjamin trail 

-Wild Turkey and Picture Rock at Heil Ranch 

-West Mag trail system in Nederland 

Regarding the rerouting on Walker, can you shed some light on how new trail reroutes will need to be designed 

in general? For instance, what guidelines (trail width, slope, technical aspects, etc.) do they have to conform to, 

if any? For trail design projects like this, and the recent Hall work, Benjamin, etc. is it one person or a 

committee that does the design, or is it a 3rd party firm who's design is approved by the County? 

15

Regarding the existing trail experience you mention about Walker, how would you rate it? Also how would 

you rate the Boulder area mtb trails? Does the County work with other county/city agencies in the state to share 

experiences, guidelines, etc. on trail design and building? 

Thank you 

Jordan 

> From: jrounds@bouldercounty.org 

> To: jordanwilliford@hotmail.com 

> Subject: RE: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

> Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:08:23 +0000 

> 

> Mr. Williford, 

> Thank you for your comment and thanks for getting out into your open space. 

> 

> I really appreciate the attention our public meeting has garnered and the interest of the mountain biking 

community in maintaining the current system and improving/expanding it. We, are definitely aware of the 

desire of the mountain biking community to expand access and improve/diversify the trail riding experience. 

> 

> Unfortunately, I think the miscommunication with regards to Walker Ranch are all my fault. For whatever 

reason, some of the things I said at the public meeting have been misinterpreted and I hate to see that. In all of 

our parks we perform trail maintenance as a matter of course. When trails begin to erode, heavy use starts to 

impact the surrounding landscape, or we see an opportunity to improve the design life of a trail segment we 

work to reroute that trail in an ecologically- (and experience-) conscious way. In most cases, we try to improve 

the trail experience through these reroutes, not destroy that experience. In some cases though, we see erosion or 

adjacent impacts that we cannot ignore. As stewards charged with not only creating trails but also maintaining 

the ecological health of the land purchased by the residents of Boulder, we have to be very careful in that 

respect. 

> 

> I've received a lot of emails saying that erosive conditions in our eyes are a cool trail opportunity for some 

users. There seems to be a belief that erosion or trail damage are a subjective thing. In our minds, this isn't true. 

While the stage of erosion can be subjective, the long term effect of erosion is not. So sometimes we reroute 

trails to make them less erosive or to "rest" an area that has eroded or may begin to erode catastrophically. 

> 

> That said, I think the most common comment I've heard since the beginning of this management planning 

effort was that people want us to maintain a certain technical level for riding at Walker. I plan to communicate 

that to our staff. 

> 

> I also want to make it clear that the lines of "reroutes" you see on the map are not alignments for those 

reroutes. Those are simply possible paths for reroutes. We are using those lines to show that we recognize 

particular areas as being problematic from a management standpoint. The final design for those reroutes, if and 

when they happen, will be carefully considered by our trails, resource management, and resource protection 

staff after they have been made aware of all of the public interest and concern. 

> 

16

Luckily for us, many of the people who plan, design, build, and manage our trails are also trail users. 

> 

> Connecting trails is also a goal of Boulder County Parks and Open Space. I think for a long time we focused 

on providing great trails on our properties because we viewed our job as working within our boundaries. Since 

probably the 1990s, we've come to realize that the public rarely thinks about who manages a particular trail, but 

the experience they can obtain using that trail or where they can get using that trail. That was the impetus for 

creating the regional trail program on the plains and for increased cooperation on trail construction between the 

cities and county of Boulder as well as the federal and state governments. Unfortunately, the mechanisms that 

give us the opportunity to plan out the "development" and management of the parks within our system do not 

allow us to either plan on the property of or force the hand of other land management agencies. 

> 

> Therefore, any sort of regional or inter-agency trail requires lots of talking, fund-sharing, consultation, and 

hand-wringing. That means time and it means working at the pace that all the partners can agree to. Fortunately 

for all of us who use the trails, all of the land managers in Boulder County WANT to have trails and WANT to 

create connections between communities and between land owners. 

> 

> All that said, we are in the early stages of working with all our land management agency partners. If the result 

is anything like what happened with the regional trail program out on the plains, I think we can all look forward 

to a better connected western Boulder County. However, because we have to be careful not to force the hand of 

another agency or we are trying to avoid a lot of planning for these trails in the Walker Ranch management 

plan. What we will do is propose alternatives that work within the constraints and opportunities on Walker 

Ranch so that when connections can happen, we're prepared to implement on Walker Ranch. 

> 

> I apologize for the long-winded response, but I think it's important to know that we do hear the concerns of 

our trail users and we want to make sure your experience is only improved when we develop new management 

plans. Please stay involved and keep an eye out for updates regarding future meetings and online content. 

> 

> 

> Jesse Rounds 

> Resource Planner 

> Boulder County Parks and Open Space 

> 5201 St Vrain Road Longmont, CO 

> (o) 303.678.6271 

> (f) 303.678.6179 

> jrounds@bouldercounty.org 

17

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 


Flag Status: 

Ken MacFerrin 

Friday, December 14, 2012 12:44 AM 

Rounds, Jesse 

Re: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

Follow up 

Completed 

Jesse, 

Thank you for the personal response. Both surprising and refreshing. 

Yes, the "portage" is the section of switchbacks and stairs. I'm very glad to hear that's not on the block. 

The other concern I believe you'll hear echoed by many is that the erosion and exposed rock is actually what many of us 

value the most. It creates natural, technical terrain very similar to what one would find on many of the most well known 

trails in the country. These rocks create enjoyable challenges for both climbing and descending. While I have great 

respect for many of BMA's accomplishments, their ability to create "technically interesting" trail is not one. Most 

mountainbikers do not consider anything that BMA has build, especially on BCPOS land, to be remotely technical... add 

in the very restrictively guidelines which BCPOS has for trail construction, we are all worried that it's not likely that 

anything man-made through this process would come close to what mother nature already provides. 

I think the concept of erosion automatically being something "bad" that must be repaired is misguided and often 

counterproductive. When ruts develop that have negative drainage effects then I would certainly agree with repair, but 

when it comes to exposed rock, this is where the soil has already eroded and the remaining surface is now naturally 

armored. 

Anything the that is made to either repair or reroute with dirt will actually create more erosion (resource destruction) 

than simply leaving the natural exposed rock intact. On trails that I have worked, our solutions have typically involved 

"corridoring" the trail to keep users from going around the rock and widening or braiding the trail. Yes, this makes the 

trail slightly more advanced, but as many land managers have learned, this often serves a greater percentage of actual 

users of such trails. Walker, as a true mountain loop is already more advanced than most BCPOS trail, and I am 

confident in assuming that most users that make it around to the south side are primarily more "advanced" 

users anyway. Keeping this trail technical serves a better user experience for these patrons, and keeping this diversity 

increases the appeal of the BCPOS trail inventory as a whole. 

Thanks again for listening. 

Sincerely, 

Ken 

720.222.3352 

Rounds, Jesse wrote: 

> Mr. MacFerrin, 

> Thanks for your email and thanks for voicing your concerns. 

> 

18

Most of the trail changes proposed for Walker are focused on improving the trail experience by getting people off of 

roads. There are also significant changes proposed for areas that have begun to erode seriously. I've heard from a lot of 

folks that there's concern regarding a loss of technical trails if this happens. I suggest that while we will likely remove 

some of the erosive trails that people find fun, we will also be walking alignments with the public and working with our 

partners at IMBA, BMA, and Boulder Trail Runners to keep these areas technically interesting. I can't promise that all 

the best parts of the trail will be realigned and still be just as awesome, but our goal is not to change the experience. 

We are not doing this to "dumb down" the trail but instead to halt resource destruction that's occurring. 

> 

> You mentioned 'the portage' and I've seen that mentioned in other comments on the web. I am not sure what people 

mean by this. Are you referring to the section of the trail south of South Boulder Creek that is mostly stairs? If so, we 

have no plans to change that section and any rumors you hear to the contrary are ill-informed. Not only do we not have 

plans to reroute it, we have no opportunity to reroute it, as that area is significantly constrained by the topography. 

> 

> Thanks again for your comments, 

> 

> Jesse 

> 

> Jesse Rounds 

> Resource Planner 

> Boulder County Parks and Open Space 

> 5201 St Vrain Road Longmont, CO 

> (o) 303.678.6271 

> (f) 303.678.6179 

> jrounds@bouldercounty.org 

> 

> -----Original Message----- 

> From: Webmaster 

> Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 5:47 PM 

> To: Boulder County Walker Ranch Management Plan 

> Subject: Walker Ranch Management Plan Comment 

> 

> ********************************************************************** 

> ********* 

> firstname: Ken 

> lastname: MacFerrin 

> email: ken@macferrin.com 

> secret: 5 

> submit: Submit 

> 

> comments: 

> 

> As a Boulder County resident, I value and enjoy the Walker trails as they exist today. Please do not reroute/sanitize 

the current technical portions of the trail. Most especially, please do not change the "portage". Boulder County has a 

vast diversity of trail users with very wide range of skill levels. Unfortunately the majority of the current Boulder County 

trail inventory caters to the lowest common denominator. Please do not change one of the last remaining semitechnical 

trails left for residents, especially when we are all aware that most any change would necessitate removing the 

current trail obstacles and significantly dumbing-down the grade in order to meet the current, absurdly conservative and 

outmoded BoCo trail design standards. 

> 

> If any changes are required, please consider adding alternate lines versus destroying what exists. 

> 

19

Of the proposed changes, the one I am strongly in favor of, and believe would add significant value, is the Eldo 

connector. This would significantly decrease driving/parking and provide a very useful connector for users coming from 

the west. 

> 

> Thank you for allowing and considering input. 

> 

> Sincerely, 

> Ken 

> 

20

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Cc: 

Subject: 

Attachments: 

Michael Barrow 

Friday, December 14, 2012 1:31 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

POSAC - Jason Vogel; Shannon Cox Baker 

BMA comments - and let's meet 

WRMP.BMA.Comments.12.4.12.pdf 

Wednesday afternoon works for us... how about you? 

mike barrow 

BMA Advocacy Director 

-- 

The world is run by those who show up. 

21

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 


Sent: 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 1:37 PM 

To: 


Subject: Walker Ranch Comments [#1] 

Name * bryan smith 

Email * smith.bryan81@gmail.com 

Don't make Walker Ranch "easier" for mountain bikers. We need a diverse trail system in Boulder 

Comments 

County that can cater to all ability levels. Current trends at Heil, Hall and Betasso all make trails 

* 

easier. This should not happen at Walker. 

22

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 


Sent: 

Tuesday, March 05, 2013 9:34 AM 

To: 




Flag Status: 

Follow up 

Completed 

Name * 

Email * 

Troy Mandery 

troy@surfBBP.com 

Comments * 

First, thank you for providing great spaces to recreate and see the beautiful open space around us. I don't take 

lightly the gift we have with our open space. I do however have concerns about Walker Ranch and the type of 

experience offered there. As an avid mountain biker and volunteer trail builder I hear from many types of trail 

users. The most vocal group of late has been mountain bikers looking for a more "backcountry" experience on 

more technically oriented trails. Walker currently does a fair job of offering this experience. While I really do 

understand the why and how of "sustainable" trails, I believe taking away any of the technical nature of the 

trails at Walker will unleash more backlash from these tax paying users of the trails. We at BMA do a lot to 

mitigate these concerns from riders wishing to have this experience. It has become increasingly difficult to reply 

to these concerns when other agencies much l ess capable than BCPOS around the country are offering these 

kinds of experiences. If anything we should be looking forward at how we can meet these needs further. I will 

continue to work on trails and move the user experience forward regardless of what happens with Walker Ranch 

but it would certainly go a long way towards mitigating illegal trail building (like Link Trail) if we actually 

offer these options somewhere in Boulder County. I know many people think Valmont addresses these needs 

but Valmont is not the "natural experience" these users desire. I hope you will consider these concerns in the 

planning process moving forward. 

23

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Ryan Hamilton 

Tuesday, March 05, 2013 3:22 PM 


Status on the managment alternatives 

Hi Jesse, 

I am just curios how the management alternatives are progressing. Here is what the web gives me: 

Alternative Development 

A number of management alternatives are being developed based of the ideas, interests, and input from the open 

house that was held on November 13. These alternatives will address the many different management areas for 

which the county is responsible. Once staff has developed and approved these alternatives, the plan will be 

presented to the public for review and comment. More information will be given when alternatives are ready for 

review. 

Do you know a date when the alternatives are planned to be released so the public comment period can begin? 

Thanks, 

Ryan 

Ryan Hamilton 

NEXTMap Product Manager | Intermap Technologies, Inc. 

Tel. 720.974.3281 | Cell. 303.819.8963 

rhamilton@intermap.com | www.Intermap.com 

8310 S. Valley hwy |Suite 400 | 80112 

24

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

deborahcolburn@gmail.com on behalf of Deborah Foote 

Thursday, April 04, 2013 9:47 AM 

Rounds, Jesse 

Re: Walker Ranch MP Public Meeting 

Jessie- I am sorry I cannot make this meeting. I have a big lobby day at the Capitol on the 17th and we'll be 

doing final preparations that evening. 

My biggest comment is that I would like to see more living history opportunities at the Ranch. 

On Wed, Apr 3, 2013 at 3:21 PM, Rounds, Jesse wrote: 

POSAC Members, 

I realized that I don’t think you all get our public meeting announcements and I am going to work with the other 

planners to make sure you do get them in the future. 

We’ll be holding a public meeting on the Draft Walker Ranch Management Plan on April 16 at 6pm in the 

Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The C&R’s office address is 1750 33 rd Street in Boulder. 

I’ll be presenting the proposed management direction for the property and then taking questions from the 

community. 

Of course, we’ll be bringing this before you as soon as it’s ready for your review, but I wanted you to be aware 

of the other public outreach we do. 

Thanks, 

Jesse 

Jesse Rounds 



25


(o) 303.678.6271 

(f) 303.678.6179 


-- 

Deborah L. Foote 

Phone: 303-258-3339 

Mobile: 251-533-1798 

Address: 551 Washington Avenue, Nederland, CO 80466 

26

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Pam Piombino 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:57 AM 

Boulder County Board of Commissioners; rsteward@bouldercounty.org; Spaulding, Susan; 

Rounds, Jesse 

Meyer's Gulch 

Dear County Employees, 

My husband Joe and I are quite concerned about the possibility of your department approving an expanded trail 

through Meyer's Gulch and then linking it with regional hiking and biking routes. 

I would encourage you to take this choice off of your planning maps and thereby ensure the integrity of what is 

surely one of Boulder County's purist intact habitats. The continued fragmentation of areas that are essentially 

whole, will eventually lead to a, "death by a thousand cuts". 

You do have alternatives that are would inflict far less impact in getting recreationists around the 

County. Please consider using these other avenues and thereby continue your strong commitment as 

conservators of what is wild and precious in Boulder County. 

Respectfully, 

Pam and Joe Piombino 

6012 St. Vrain Road 

Longmont, CO 80503 

27

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Attachments: 

arhsdave@aol.com 

Thursday, May 02, 2013 3:26 PM 

Rounds, Jesse 

Walker Ranch Public Meeting input 

walkerranchletter.docx 

Jesse, 

You will find my attached remarks regarding my experience as a Walker Ranch volunteer as input for the upcoming 

meeting May 7th. 

all the best, 

Dave Pence, retired teacher 

28

May 2, 2013 

Dear Jesse and BCPOS, 

I want to take this opportunity to offer my input via email as I will not be able to attend the Walker Ranch 

Public Meeting on May 7 th . 

I have been an educator for almost 40 years and worked as a teacher (industrial arts, art, construction 

trades, and outdoor education) in BVSD for 17 years until I retired two years ago. As a middle school 

teacher, I had the opportunity to visit Walker Ranch with my students and also visited with my family 

during past Heritage Days when my son was very young. I looked forward to the day when I could give 

my time, energy, skills and knowledge as a volunteer. Now that dream has come true for both me and my 

eleven year old son, Aidan! As volunteers, we greatly enjoy sharing what we have learned about the 

colorful history of James Walker and Walker Ranch as well as demonstrating how it remains a vital part 

of the rich cultural heritage of Boulder County. 

While Aidan and I love to read books about pioneer history, it is altogether different to experience it first 

hand and share our passion with the visitors to Walker Ranch. As a proponent of experiential education, 

the hands-on activities that adults and children engage in at Heritage Days are an essential ingredient of 

immersion into a slice of local history that cannot be duplicated in any classroom or video. The feel of 

pulling a drawknife over an aspen log, the sulfur smell of coal in the forge in the blacksmith shop, the 

taste of warm biscuits and freshly churned butter, the sound of old-timey music from the wagon barn, the 

sights of the current day “pioneers” dressed in period clothing, re-living the simple, hard-working family 

life of the 1870’s…..these experiences transform into indelible memories that will resonate with our 

visitors, young and old, for years to come. 

As a student of history and a lifelong learner, it never ceases to amaze me the things I learn from my 

fellow volunteers. I have been very impressed with the knowledge and dedication of this group and the 

support, encouragement and enthusiasm that comes from our coordinator, Sheryl Kippen. 

I am very grateful for the continued support that Walker Ranch and other local historical sites have 

received from Boulder County Parks and Open Space and the residents of Boulder County. It is 

imperative that our children and future generations continue to experience and learn from these valuable 

programs. Keep up the good work! My son and I look forward to volunteering (and having lots of fun) 

for many years to come! 

Sincerely, 

Dave Pence, teacher

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Dan Steuer 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:34 AM 


Walker Ranch 

Hello, 

I support BMA's suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch Draft Management Plan. As you revise the 

draft plan, please strongly consider singletrack trail connections between Chapman Drive and Walker Ranch, 

and Nederland and Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the 

existing system. Improving the trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an opportunity to 

decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance recreation in the area without having to build new trail systems, 

and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA 

appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks currently outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to 

decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, but encourages 

Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike constituency of families, and 

riders of all ages. 

Thank you. 

Dan Steuer 

4645 Talbot Dr 

Boulder, CO 

29

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Tim Kenkel 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:42 AM 







decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance recreation in the area with having to build new trail systems, and 

meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA appreciates 

the mountain biking-related management tasks currently outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to decrease 

erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, but encourages Boulder County 

to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike constituency of families, and riders of all ages. 

Thank you. 

Tim Kenkel 

timkenkel@yahoo.com 

Superior, Colorado 

30

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Thomas LeCount 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:44 AM 


Walker Ranch Draft Management Plan 





decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance recreation in the area without having to build new trail systems, 

and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA 





Thank you, 

Tom LeCount 

3274 Hawthorne Hollow 


303-443-3502 

t.lecount@yahoo.com 

31

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Susan Nedell 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:00 AM 


Support Walker Ranch Draft Mgmt Plan with new Single track trail 

I support BMA's suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch Draft Management Plan. As you revise the draft plan, 

please strongly consider singletrack trail connections between Chapman Drive and Walker Ranch, and Nederland and 

Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the existing system. Improving the 

trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an opportunity to decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance 

recreation in the area with having to build new trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also 

enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks 

currently outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate 

lines that add challenge, but encourages Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike 

constituency of families, and riders of all ages. 

Thank you, 

Susan Nedell 

Louisville, CO 

32

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Clark Sperry 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 10:59 AM 


support for walker ranch draft management plan 

To Whom It May Concern: 










Thank you for your time and your consideration, 

-Clark Sperry 

Member of the BMA since 2011 

33

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Frank Pickell 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:00 AM 



Hello- 



and Nederland and Walker Ranch: building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the 


decrease user pressure on our trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other 

resources and recreation needs. BMA appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks currently 

outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines 

that add challenge, but encourages Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mtn bike 


Thank you. 

_________________________ 

FRANK PICKELL 

HEAD OF POST PRODUCTION 

FUTURISTIC* 

DENVER 

2930 LARIMER ST 

DENVER, CO 80205 

303.557.9670 | OFFICE 

720.839.4012 | MOBILE 

LOS ANGELES 

4223 Glencoe Ave, Suite A220 

Marina Del Ray, CA 90292 

310.597.9387 | OFFICE 

www.futuristicfilms.com 

34

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Jenna Svoboda 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:08 AM 


Walker Ranch Improvment 

To whom it may concern: 










Thank you, 

-- 

Jenna Svoboda 

University of Colorado 

Geotechnical Engineering 

971.275.2777 

35

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Marc Peruzzi 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:29 AM 


Mountain biking at Walker Ranch 

Open Space officials, 

Thanks for your support of small-carbon-footprint, ultra-localized recreation. Because of your efforts, it's now 

feasible to ride from town and complete a fun sub-two hour ride on the single- and double-track of Betasso. 

Now, thanks to the opening of Chapman Drive to uphill bike traffic, we ALMOST have a legitimate long 

distance off road ride option from town as well. Please connect Chapman Drive to Walker Ranch via dirt road 

and singletrack. 


draft plan, please strongly consider singletrack trail connections between Chapman Drive and Walker 

Ranch, and Nederland and Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing 

singletrack in the existing system. Improving the trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an 

opportunity to decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance recreation in the area with having to build new trail 

systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other resources and recreation 

needs. BMA appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks currently outlined in the draft plan, like 

reroutes to decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, but 

encourages Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike constituency of 

families, and riders of all ages. 

Thank you. 

Marc Peruzzi 

Editorial Director 

Mountain magazine 

303-815-1086 

marc@mtnmedia.com 

37

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Pete Webber 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:03 AM 


More trails at Walker Ranch 

To the Walker Ranch planning team, 

I urge you to consider more trail options for improving the Walker Ranch system. It is a large and diverse property and 

creating additional trails would provide visitors with more choices. To me, it seems like such a large area can and should 

include more trails. 

These might include trails that take advantage of the huge trailhead facilities, take visitors to the homestead, explore the 

burned areas, and provide a wider range of experiences than currently offered. 

New trails could take advantage of best practices for trail design and construction and would be far more sustainable 

than the existing routes. 

I also urge creating a loop at Meyers, instead of the old road that just provides an out-and-back experience. 



Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the existing system. 

Improving the trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an opportunity to decrease user pressure on our 

trails, enhance recreation in the area with having to build new trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers 

while also enhancing other resources and recreation needs. 

BMA appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks currently outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to 

decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, but encourages Boulder 

County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike constituency of families, and riders of all ages. 

Thank you, Pete Webber, Boulder 

38

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Matt Farrar 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:09 AM 












Thank you. 

Matt Farrar 

3225 Arnett Street 


39

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Stephanie Upton 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:39 AM 


Walker Ranch Bicycle Trail Additions 

Hello, My name is Jennifer Fowler and I resided in Boulder from 1977 to 2001. I used to run the Front 

Rangers Cycling Club via the Boulder Police Department. We took are youth riders up there and they had 

fun. I also worked at Schwinn Cycling and Fitness, and I personally helped on the trail days at Walker Ranch. 

I now reside in Arvada and am a courtesy bike patrol volunteer for the Denver Parks and Rec. I support 

responsible and safe cycling. 

I believe more trails should be added to increase variety, add more loops, connect to other trail systems, and 

visit other sections of the property. The existing Walker Ranch Loop can be enhanced and some sections of old 

road should be replaced with singletrack, Meyers is untapped, and connections to other trails are just smart. 

Please feel free to contact me at 303-618-0127 if you would like more input on improving/expanding the 

bicycle trails at Walker Ranch. 

Kind Regards, 

Jennifer Fowler 

40

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

MichaelHoaster 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:48 AM 


Please add more trails at Walker Ranch 

I support BMA's suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch Draft Management 

Plan. As you revise the draft plan, please strongly consider singletrack trail connections 

between Chapman Drive and Walker Ranch, and Nederland and Walker Ranch; building 

a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the existing 

system. Improving the trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an 

opportunity to decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance recreation in the area with 

having to build new trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also 

enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA appreciates the mountain bikingrelated 

management tasks currently outlined in the draft plan, like reroutes to decrease 

erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, but 

encourages Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike 

constituency of families, and riders of all ages. Thank you. 

Michael Hoaster 

103 Brook Road 


41

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Schoettger, Suzanne 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:53 AM 












Thank you. 

Suzanne Schoettger 

Chief Audit & Compliance Officer 

Liberty Global, Inc. 

12300 Liberty Blvd. 

Englewood, CO 80112 

USA 

Office: 303.220.6640 

Fax: 303.220.6609 

Mobile: 720.207.8869 

Email: sschoettger@lgi.com 

42

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addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not 

copy or deliver this message to anyone or take any action in reliance upon this message. In such case, you 

should destroy this message and any attachments and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise 

immediately if you or your employer does not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, 

conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of my company shall 

be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. 

43

Right-click here to download 

pictures. To help protect your 

privacy, Outlook prevented 

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picture from the Internet. 

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Tom Weis - Ride for Renewables 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 11:53 AM 


Walker Ranch draft management plan 




existing system. BMA appreciates the mountain biking-related management tasks currently outlined in the draft 

plan, like reroutes to decrease erosion and improve the trail experience, and alternate lines that add challenge, 

but encourages Boulder County to think big and meet the needs of its growing mountain bike constituency of 


Thank you! 

Tom Weis, President 

Climate Crisis Solutions 

(303) 378-1364 (mobile) 

RideForRenewables.com 

Twitter/RenewableRider 

YouTube/RenewableRider 

Facebook/RenewableRider 

"Polite conservationists leave no mark save the scars upon the Earth that could have been prevented had they 

stood their ground." 

- David Brower (1912-2000) 

44

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

josh whitney 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:08 PM 


walker ranch trails 

There are several opportunities for BCPOS staff to improve the existing trail system to improve the recreation 

experience and reduce user conflict, specifically increasing access to mountain bikers in and access to/from the 

Ranch. I support the following: 

1. Singletrack trail to Nederland (roads are not trails!) 

2. Singletrack trail to Chapman (roads are not trails!) 

3. Trail on Winiger Ridge 

4. Rework existing singletrack in the Walker Ranch system to bring it up to current trailbuilding standards 

and improve the quality of the user experience 

5. Expanding the trail network in areas (burn area for example) 

6. Add alternate lines to the main loop to add challenge for advanced trail users or to allow families to recreate 

together 

7. Connect trail from Eldorado canyon to Walker for mountain bikers. 

The Evol Elite Racing team is supportive of these recommendations and is committed to volunteering in our 

community to help build the trails so we can ride them. Few other user groups donate as much time to build 

trails as mountain bikers. Let us at least have equal access (overall) to trails. 

josh 

_____________________________ 

Josh C. Whitney 

415.309.6534 | web | Evol Elite Racing p/b Pharmaca 

45

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

David Pfeiffer 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:17 PM 



Dear Respective Land Management Official, 










Sincerely, 

David Pfeiffer 

46

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Rob Hudson 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:46 PM 


Walker Ranch Public Feedback 

















Thank you. 

Rob Hudson 

VP / Sales 

Mountain Media 

P: 303.815.1083 | M: 303.552.4041 

3121 – A Longhorn Rd 


Mountainonline.com 

www.facebook.com/MountainMagazine 

47

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Jonathan Nelson 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 12:57 PM 



Hello there, 










Thank you for your consideration of this matter, 

-Jonathan Nelson 

430 S 45th St. 


303-709-9600 

48

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Kevin Knapp 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 1:30 PM 


Public Feedback 

















Thank you. 

Kevin Knapp 

651.245.3949 

49

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

rwhall7@comcast.net 



Walker Ranch Management Plan 

BCPOS, 



Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the existing system. Improving the 

trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an opportunity to decrease user pressure on our trails, enhance 

recreation in the area with having to build new trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also 





The interconnects are of particular value to allow more riding without having to drive and to spread out users on the 

trails. 

Thank you, 

Rich Hall 

1445 Cassin Ct 

Boulder CO 80303 

50

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Philip Marsh 



Walker Ranch Mountain Bike Trails 











Thank you. 

Phil Marsh 

Louisville, CO 

51

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

S. Reid 




Hello- 

Thank you for soliciting and considering comments for the Walker Ranch Management Plan. I am a former 

resident of Boulder County who got engaged on the Walker Ranch open space property. I know the parcel well, 

it has a special place in my heart and I often return to Boulder to enjoy the area amenities, including trails. I am 

writing to urge you to consider a more modern, well-designed and well-connected trail plan on the Walker 

Ranch property. The existing trail network lacks sustainable design, effective drainage and connectivity to other 

trails. In your revision to the management plan, I believe the Boulder County community would be better served 

with a more diverse trail system with interconnected loops, reasonable trail grades and realignment of several 

old and tired road sections. This approach would help address the strong recreational demand in Boulder 

County. Thanks for the chance to comment and good luck with the planning effort. 

Scott Reid 

PO Box 10026 

Breckenridge, CO 80424 

52

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Bracken Christensen 




Making existing trails more sustainable, creating connectors, and adding to the trail system makes a 

better experience for *all trail users*. 










Thank you for all of your hard work to make our trail systems better, 

Bracken Christensen 

53

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Philip Schreiber 



Walker Rance Draft Management Plan 

Dear Boulder County, 

My wife and I are tax paying, high income earning, property owning, avid Mountain Bikers. We chose to live 

and raise a family in Boulder because of the opportunities it provides for outdoor recreation. We support 

BMA's suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch Draft Management Plan. As you revise the draft 

plan, please strongly consider Singletrack trail connections between Chapman Drive and Walker Ranch, and 

Nederland and Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing Singletrack in the 



meet the needs of mountain bikers while also enhancing other resources and recreation needs. BMA 





We are proud supporters of the BMA, and appreciate the changes that they have brought about in our 

community. We love it here in Boulder, and intend to see it develop in a manner that will make us want to stay 

and continue to raise our family here. I intend to see my kids riding these trail the County and the BMA have 

worked so hard together on. 

Thank you!! 

Philip Schreiber & Dr. Elizabeth Dee 

1950 King Ave. 


54

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Julian Michaels 



"I support BMA's suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch Draft Management Plan. As you revise the draft 

plan, please strongly consider singletrack trail connections between Chapman Drive and Walker Ranch, and Nederland 

and Walker Ranch; building a new trail loop in the burn area; and increasing singletrack in the existing system. Improving 

the trail experience for mountain bikers at Walker Ranch is an opportunity to decrease user pressure on our trails, 

enhance recreation in the area with having to build new trail systems, and meet the needs of mountain bikers while also 




constituency of families, and riders of all ages. Thank you. " 

-- 

Julian Michaels 

Graduate Student 

University of Colorado-Boulder 

Dept. of Geological Sciences 

55

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Jeremy Brodhead 



Walker ranch mountain bike trail support 










Thank you. 

Jeremy Brodhead 

56

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Michael Higuera 




I am writing to express my support for more mountain bike trails at Walker Ranch. It would be great to have a 

connection to Eldorado Canyon. I also think there could be improvements made to the existing loop to convert road to 

single track. More and more people are mountain biking and we could use more trail in Boulder County. 

Thanks for all you do with trails and open space. 

Mike Higuera 

(c) - (720) 470-2790 

57

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

David Meldman 



Comment to improve and add trails 

Please improve trails in Walker Ranch for recreation in the park, such as mountain biking, hiking, & horseback riding. 

Please build a trail that links Walker Ranch to Eldorado Canyon and make it accessible for mountain bikers this year, 

2013. 

David Meldman 

303-449-0601 

303-440-6251 FAX 

www.DJMDistribution.com 

David@DJMDistribution.com 

58

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Joseph Saperstein 



walker ranch trails 

Please make more mountain bike trails and open the Walker/Eldo connector to bikes. 

Thanks, 

Joseph Saperstein, Boulder resident 

59

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Eric Zacharias 



walker ranch draft 

Dear Open Space officials, 

I support the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance's, BMA's, suggestions for improvement to the Walker Ranch 

Draft Management Plan. 

Okay, that's about it. 

-Eric 

p.s. I much prefer being able to leave my house on my bike as opposed to driving in my car to reach mountain 

bike rides. Thanks for making Betasso pretty darn good. 

Eric Zacharias, M.D. 

Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center 

Board Certified, Internal Medicine 

Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, Boulder Medical Center 

Author, "The Mediterranean Diet: A Clinician's Guide," Springer, 2012 

www.mediterraneanenoughdiet.com 

zach.zacharias@gmail.com 

60

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

Jenn A 





Walker Ranch is a favorit property for local Boulder users. I believe more trails should be added to increase 

variety, add more loops, connect to other trail systems, and visit other sections of the property. The existing 

Walker Ranch Loop can be enhanced and some sections of old road should be replaced with singletrack. 

Meyers is untapped, and connections to other trails are just smart. Boulder County has a well established 

relationship with a number of user groups so it seems very possible to get this done. I will commit, as BMA's 

Trails Projects Director, to working on this trail to enhance and improve it and make it a more sustainable multiuse 

trail. 

Best regards, 

Jenn 

jenn archuleta 

trails projects director 

boulder mountainbike alliance 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ... As we are liberated from our 

own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson 

61

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 


Sent: 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:20 AM 

To: 



Name * Tony gannaway 

Email * tony_gannaway@yahoo.com 

I would like to recommend some off leash V&S access to visitors with dogs in the Walker Ranch, 

there are a couple of potential trails which would be suitable. 

Comments 

* 

There are very few opportunities for visitors with dogs in the County causing all County Residents 

to come to the city OSMP lands. 

Kind Regards 

Tony Gannaway 

62

Rounds, Jesse 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Subject: 

David Wert 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 1:01 PM 



Boulder County Parks and Open Space, 

I'd like to thank Boulder County Parks and Open Space for all the work that's been done on the Walker Ranch 

Management Plan. It's great to live in an area where the land managers place such a high value on preserving our 

natural resources. I strongly support aspects of the plan that encourage a bicycle friendly single track trail that connects 

Eldorado Canyon State Park to Walker Ranch as well as other connectors to Myers Gulch and potential Nederland area 

trails. The survey findings support this and it's clearly part of what's needed to disperse users, minimize car travel to trail 

heads and generally improve Boulder Counties recreation opportunities. 

I believe that it is a mistake to move forward with the existing trail's outdated layout without adding additional loops 

which disperse users and accommodate different skill levels of cyclists. There's much better ways to lay out trails while 

still minimizing erosion and disruption of wildlife than what current draft plan is proposing. A stacked loop trail system 

would help to minimize user conflict and provide the riding experience that Boulder residents are currently asking for 

but is not being provided. This is a proven concept that's worked very well in other communities and can work in 

Boulder County. 

I urge you to use this opportunity to provide a single track trail experience that's somewhat close to town, this can be 

done in a way that does not negatively impact the environment. Boulder county offers very limited options for 

mountain bikers close to town and almost zero options for expert level riders. Please consider working with the very 

large group of local cyclist to create an improved trail system at Walker Ranch. 

David Wert 

720 951-5689 

davidpwert@gmail.com 

63

Walker Ranch Management Plan Public Comments - Boulder County

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