Community Land Preservation Survey

In April and May of 2024, Boulder County sought input from the Gross Reservoir community on how the “Land Preservation” section of the Denver Water vs. Boulder County Settlement Agreement might be spent. Section 5.1 of the Agreement provides $5.1 million to acquire land to replace, at least partially, the forested lands and recreation areas that will be inundated with water by the Denver Water Gross Reservoir Expansion project.

Purpose

The purpose of the community survey was to gather input from Boulder County residents impacted by the Denver Water Gross Reservoir Expansion Project. Peak Facilitation Group, a neutral third party, conducted the survey and analyzed the results on Boulder County’s behalf. Survey results were shared with Boulder County and members of the public in aggregate form.

Results

Boulder County staff from Parks & Open Space and the Commissioners’ Office presented the Gross Reservoir Community Land Preservation Survey Results at two community meetings in May 2024:

• Survey Results (Summary Report)
• Staff Presentation

Next Steps

The Boulder County Commissioners directed Boulder County Parks & Open Space to research available properties that fit the top outcomes of the survey results. One property, the Bearberry property, was proposed in February 2025 for purchase using a portion of the $5.1 million set aside for this purpose.

Potential Land Purchases

Boulder County’s Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) held a public hearing on February 27, 2025, for the proposed “Bearberry” open space purchase using $1.6 million from the Section 5.1 fund outlined in the Denver Water vs. Boulder County Settlement Agreement.

POSAC supported the purchase of the 80-acre, three-lot parcel and referred the property to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration at a date to be determined. Read more about the Bearberry property.