Public comment period on the draft plan is open.

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Parks & Open Space has released the draft management plan update with recommendations for refinements to the management of the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm open space. The plan and public comment form are posted at boco.org/CHPplan. Public comment will be accepted through Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Comments received by Nov. 9 will be incorporated into the staff presentation to the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee at their meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19. Comments received by Dec. 7 will be incorporated into the staff presentation to the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The comment form will remain open until Dec. 15. and all comments will be published in real time on the webpage.

Virtual Public Meeting/Q&A Session
Oct. 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Staff will present an overview of the draft plan update, recommendations, and the public input and approval process. A question-and-answer session will follow. Register at boco.org/CHPplan.

Plan Adoption Process/Public Hearings
Historic Preservation Advisory Board meeting
Thursday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.
Information item with staff presentation and board discussion on the draft plan update, with an emphasis on cultural resources at CHP/RCF.

Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee meeting
Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Public hearing with a staff presentation and action item request for recommendation to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners on the draft CHP/RCF Management Plan Update.

Boulder County Board of Commissioners meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.
Public hearing with a staff presentation and action item request for decision to adopt the CHP/RCF Management Plan Update.

Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm is a multifaceted property acquired by Boulder County in 1980. The updated draft management plan intends to balance the multiple uses of the property, provide staff with a direction and common vision of what CHP/RCF will look like in the future, and guide management direction to achieve those identified uses and values.

Highlights from the draft plan update include:

• Grassland resiliency and restoration that also supports prairie dogs and their habitat in the southern and western part of the property.
• Consolidation of agricultural acreage in the northern portion of the property.
• Enhanced visitor access and experience including angler opportunities at Stearns Lake.
• Flexibility in the trail system to more effectively address seasonal wildlife closures along the Rock Creek Regional Trail, and provide regional connections through the property that conform with appropriate trail standards.
• Improvements to aging infrastructure, thorough assessment of cultural and paleontological resources, and improved recreational access.

For more information or questions about the draft plan or planning process contact Marni Ratzel, Resource Planner, at 303-678-6271 or mratzel@bouldercounty.org.

All meetings are currently being held virtually. To view the draft plan, submit public comment, and view updates regarding upcoming meetings, please visit boco.org/CHPplan.