For Immediate Release: March 26, 2003
Contact: Jan Fackrell 719.269.8525

Boulder County Land Exchange Closing

On March 14, the Boulder County Commissioners and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed a land exchange that benefits users of public land managed by the BLM, the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and the residents of Boulder County.  This exchange is the result of a four-year cooperative effort between the County and the two federal agencies.

Boulder County acquired 705 acres of public land, consisting of fragmented parcels that were difficult and uneconomical for BLM to manage, for inclusion in their Parks and Open Space program.   These lands are located primarily in the area of the Town of Ward, along with several small parcels in the nearby area of Gold Hill.  The County accomplished this acquisition utilizing tax revenues to purchase private inholdings within federal lands to trade in exchange for the BLM public land.  They intend to retain the majority of the newly acquired parcels as publicly owned open space. The remaining lands, which are often small isolated parcels without access, would be disposed to adjacent landowners in a manner that would prevent creating additional building sites.  "Much of the property Boulder County acquired is on the west side of the peak-to-peak highway, near the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area - an important area to preserve." says Director of the Open Space Program, Ron Stewart.

The U. S. Forest Service acquired the 165-acre Caribou Flats parcel, which lies approximately 16 miles west of the city of Boulder and within the Roosevelt National Forest.  This parcel possesses elk calving areas, potential lynx habitat and several wetland areas.

The BLM acquired a 484 acre parcel in Teller County that lies approximately one mile  southwest of Cripple Creek at the head of Pony and Long Hungry Gulches.  This parcel possesses excellent habitat for mule deer, elk, turkey and bear, as well as two properly functioning riparian areas.

Acquisition of the two parcels by the federal agencies will eliminate several private inholdings within larger blocks of federal lands, thereby providing increased opportunities to achieve natural resource management objectives.  Likewise, acquisition of the public lands by Boulder County will consolidate their open space lands and provide them with similar benefits.  Consolidation of both federal and nonfederal lands provides for more cost effective and efficient management.

According to BLM, Royal Gorge Field Manager Roy Masinton, "the goal of all parties involved in the exchange has been the preservation and protection of important natural resources and enhancement of recreational opportunities for the public.  This will benefit BLM by making the public lands more efficient to manage and accessible to the public."  Masinton also added, "We appreciate the support and help of Senator Allard and Congressman Udall throughout the Exchange process.”

The BLM continues to oversee about 2,300 acres of federal land in Boulder County.  In 1986, BLM designated these public lands in Boulder County for disposal to private or public entities.  The current land exchange is one in a series of proposed land disposal activities that will occur over the next three to five years and result in the transfer of much of this land to the County and other entities.  As this process continues, a series of public meetings will be held, and the public will have the opportunity to be involved and provide comments. 

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