One of Boulder’s most protected open spaces will open itself to visitors.
It’s 7,700 acres of land just west of Highway 36 on the north edge of town.
As nice as the grassy hills sound, the option to open the land has been a source of controversy.
Some folks want it maintained- -- others say it’s too beautiful not to use.
“So it’s a very endangered habitat and it’s very special,” local conservationist Tim Hogan said. “This is one of the many reasons we’ve all fallen in love with Boulder.”
On Tuesday night, Boulder City Council voted 7-2 to open the land to the public and put a three-mile trail in the middle of it. It’s a suggestion that’s been in talks since 2011.
“’Sometimes you are thinking about competing community interests,” said Steve Armstead of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. “This is one of over 86 different actions that are called for in the draft plan so you know there are a lot of different commitments.”
“What this does is it fragments that area,” Hogan said. “When you do that it becomes a route for bringing in an invasive plants that can undermine the ecological integrity of the area.”
While Hogan worries about physical effects he’s even more concerned about the philosophical ones.
“A feeling of profound disease right now,” he said. “Because it seems like this could really signify a significant shift in the direction of our town.”
As with any debate, however, some are quite happy with the vote.
“We were rejoiced,” said Justin Hoese of Boulder Cycle Sport. “Actually we put it on our Facebook page this morning celebrating the victory.”
The cycling community has been trying to sway the city council into approving this for years. They say it gives unprecedented access to the some of the most beautiful land around town.
“I think that it’s a good union,” he said.
The city still needs to decide where to place this trail, and then begin construction of it.
They say it won’t open for another five years.
