Thursday, March 27, 6:30 p.m., Public Comment Welcomed

Key Points:

• Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain Elk and Vegetation Management Plan has been successful, so hunting will be paused. However, the plan needs to be reauthorized for three more years to monitor elk numbers and impacts to natural resources. If hunting is necessary again, staff will seek BOCC approval.
• Staff recommends keeping the Red Hill Management plan in place, and continuing the hunt program for the next three years with slight modifications.
• Public comment is welcomed.

Parks & Open Space staff will present an update of the elk management program status and successes and request an extension of the plans for three more years. The Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., 3rd Floor, Boulder.

The department has been implementing elk management in two areas of the county to address non-migrating elk populations that are causing resource damage on valuable natural landscapes at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain and Red Hill.

Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain - Success!

On Jan. 31, 2025, Parks & Open Space concluded the eighth year of elk management through hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain and surrounding properties utilized by the resident elk herd.

This program has been very successful.

• Elk numbers are down to the program goal of 30-70 individuals.
• Long-term shrub monitoring efforts have shown significant improvement to the once over-browsed mountain mahogany stands on the south end of Ron Stewart Preserve.
• Areas that had once been overutilized by the elk, making the land susceptible to cheatgrass and other noxious weeds, are now flourishing with native grasses and forbs.

BCPOS staff recommends no hunting at Rabbit Mountain for the foreseeable future but request to keep the plan active to monitor elk numbers and impacts to natural resources. Any resumption of hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve would still need commissioner approval.

Red Hill - Progress!

2024 saw the highest harvest success in the program’s five-year history. However, large numbers of resident elk in the Red Hill area continue to persist. BCPOS staff recommends keeping the Red Hill Elk Management Plan in place, and continuing the hunt program for the next three years with slight modifications:

• Limit hunting on the west side of US 36 to the area immediately south of the North Pointe neighborhood. Staff recommends removing it from all future Red Hill management hunts.
• Explore the use of rifles for this program. The use of rifles would increase hunter success and likely reduce wounding loss.

Public Comment

Public comment is welcomed in writing or at the meeting. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format where attendees can join through Zoom or in person. Written comments and registration information can be found on the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee webpage.

For more information about the program, please visit the Elk Management webpage or contact Jon DeCoste, Elk Management Coordinator, at jdecoste@bouldercounty.gov or 720-526-8029.