HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.044.2026 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (“BOCC”) OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN PITKIN COUNTY, ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST, AND THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO TRUST FUND FOR THE COFFMAN RANCH: RESTORING LANDS, OPENING ACCESS PROJECT.
RESOLUTION NO. 044-2026
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 2.8.4 (Actions) of the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter
(“HRC”), all matters not required to be acted upon by ordinance or formal resolution may be acted upon by informal resolution, and; WHEREAS, The Voters of Pitkin County and the Pitkin County Commissioners established
an Open Space and Trails Fund for the purposes of preserving and providing open space
and trails resources, and established an Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees (“OSTB”) to guide the expenditure of those funds and make recommendations to the BOCC, and; WHEREAS, The Open Space and Trails Program is charged with protecting agriculture,
open space, habitat, scenic view planes, and recreational routes on public lands, and;
WHEREAS, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, as the Conservation Easement Grantee, supports the completion of the Coffman Ranch: Restoring Land, Opening Access Project.
WHEREAS, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, in partnership with the Aspen Valley
Land Trust is submitting a grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado with a request of up to $465,670 to fund the Coffman Ranch: Restoring Lands, Opening Access Project, subject to award and the execution of a grant agreement.
WHEREAS, The BOCC finds that it is in the best interests of the citizens of Pitkin County
to approve this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado that it hereby adopts a resolution of the Board of County
Commissioners (“BOCC”) of Pitkin County, Colorado, approving an agreement between
the Pitkin County, Aspen Valley Land Trust, and the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Fund for the Coffman Ranch: Restoring Lands, Open Access Project, and authorizes the Chair to sign the Resolution and upon the satisfaction of the County Attorney as to form, execute any other associated documents necessary to complete this matter.
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Resolution No. 044-2026
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED ON THE 22nd DAY OF April 2026.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
By _________________________ By: _____________________________ Sam Engen Jeffrey H. Woodruff, Chair Deputy County Clerk Date: ______________
APPROVED AS TO FORM: MANAGER APPROVAL By: ___________________________ By:_______________________________ Richard Neiley, III Kara Silbernagel,
County Attorney County Manager
Form Revised 01/01/2026
Apr-27-2026
Community Need: Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST) and Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT) are
seeking support from Great Outdoors Colorado’s (GOCO) Community Impact Program to expand
equitable public access while educating and engaging around stewardship at Coffman Ranch by
constructing a river-access trail and restoring adjacent degraded habitat. This request would enable
AVLT to complete a shovel-ready phase of work to unlock public access to the Roaring Fork River while
restoring sensitive riparian and wetland habitat. GOCO’s investment would directly enable construction
of the public trail, wetland boardwalks, and adjacent restoration areas. This project builds on significant
momentum, with more than 2,400 local youth, 23 nonprofits, and 19 schools already engaging with the
land despite the lack of an accessible and consistently dry trail or appropriate parking and infrastructure.
AVLT has hosted volunteer days, field-based learning, and inclusive nature programs even as access
remains limited and without a dedicated restoration zone.
Acquired by AVLT in 2021 with support from GOCO, Pitkin County, Garfield County, the Town of
Carbondale, and the broader community, the ranch is now poised to become a model for how
conservation, access, and restoration can serve both people and wildlife. This next phase represents a
shared priority among AVLT, Pitkin County, the local RE-1 School District, and other community partners.
Over the past several years, AVLT has studied the land, engaged partners, and developed a long-term
plan to protect and enhance the ranch for agriculture, wildlife, and community use. What emerged is
the need to steward conserved lands for ecological resiliency while meeting community interest in
meaningful outdoor experiences. Coffman Ranch will be open to the public for passive recreation as a
free, publicly accessible open space. Clearly defined trails, bilingual signage, and access points will guide
public use, ensuring visitors can safely experience the land while protecting sensitive habitat.
Just two miles east of Carbondale, the 141-acre Coffman Ranch is easily accessible from the Rio Grande
Trail or County Road 100. It is the only property along this corridor that extends from road to river,
providing rare pedestrian access through scenic open space and immersive riparian habitat. Visitors pass
through several ecological zones in a short walk, including a planned restoration area that will evolve as
stewardship continues. There are eight schools, one college, and roughly 500 preschoolers within three
miles of the property, positioning Coffman Ranch as a singular opportunity for nearby, place-based
outdoor connection. Despite abundant public lands in the region, significant barriers limit access for
public schools, families, and underrepresented residents. Teachers and school administrators
consistently cite the need for nearby, safe, and meaningful outdoor learning opportunities. Many local
trails are not family-friendly, and river access in this stretch of the Roaring Fork is largely utilitarian,
focused on boat access and on-river recreation. Alternatively, Coffman Ranch offers an intentional
experience designed for students, families, and groups to explore riparian ecosystems and the
intersection of nature and agriculture.
With design and engineering underway, GOCO’s support would bring this next phase of public-facing
stewardship to life. The project will establish a 2,200-foot natural-surface trail, carefully aligned to avoid
sensitive habitat and provide a low-impact route to the Roaring Fork River. Boardwalks will allow for
natural hydrologic movement and protect wetlands. Alongside the trail, AVLT will restore 22 acres of
ruderal and disturbed areas, improving ecological function and biodiversity across riparian forest,
shrubland, mesic meadow, and wetland habitats – enhancing wildlife value and the user experience. As
visitors walk through restored zones, they will witness how recreation and stewardship work in tandem.
Benefits and Community Quality of Life: AVLT believes that well-planned, equitable access to conserved
lands strengthens community connection to nature and inspires long-term stewardship. By pairing trail
access with habitat restoration, this project provides meaningful outdoor experiences while protecting
biodiversity, supporting agriculture, and prioritizing ecological health. It represents a strategic approach
to public access that balances conservation goals with community needs.
This project will activate Coffman Ranch as a year-round, inclusive community asset through culturally
responsive, co-designed partnerships with schools and nonprofits representing diverse cultures,
socioeconomic backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Partners include the local school district,
which serves significant Latino populations, Challenge Aspen, and emerging Ute Nations programming.
These efforts will expand into family engagement, volunteer stewardship, and welcoming nature-based
experiences for the broader community. GOCO’s investment would unlock one of the region’s few fully
accessible conservation spaces by funding an accessible trail, bilingual signage, and inclusive design
assessment and training – delivering equitable, long-term public benefit.
Partners: This project builds on strong partnerships established through the ranch acquisition and early
engagement. GOCO, Pitkin County, Garfield County, and the Town of Carbondale all contributed to the
purchase of Coffman Ranch and share a vision for its community value. As Conservation Easement
holder, Pitkin County remains a key partner and as a co-applicant, is actively supporting public access
and stewardship activation.
Community Participation: AVLT is entering the next phase of the Coffman Ranch vision: fully activating
the property for public benefit. AVLT and Pitkin County are collaborating closely to ensure the ranch is
consistently open to the public within the year, in accordance with conservation easement terms. A
completed Public Access Plan, aligned with AVLT’s Strategic Plan and Community Centered Conservation
Program, is guiding this trail and restoration project. Intentional engagement ensures the project
reflects community needs and includes diverse voices. To date, AVLT has reached diverse stakeholders
through Valley Settlement’s La Familia Programa, English in Action, Cook Inclusive, and others, removing
barriers such as transportation, cost, and staffing that often limit access to outdoor spaces. Through
facilitated programs at Coffman Ranch, participants build confidence, connection, and a lasting
relationship with the land.
Timeline: Design and engineering for the trail and restoration are underway, with construction
anticipated to begin in Summer 2026 with trail construction being completed in the fall of 2026 and
restoration work being completed in a phased 3-year time frame, being completed in 2028. Through
generous community support of AVLT’s ongoing capital campaign, site preparations will begin this
spring, including expanded parking and driveway improvements, construction of a pole barn for covered
gathering space, and restoration of the historic dairy barn for agricultural education. These investments
are part of a phased vision prioritizing community access and engagement. GOCO’s support would allow
AVLT to advance the public trail and restoration work central to this phase.
By restoring degraded land adjacent to the public trail, this project will transform Coffman Ranch from a
conserved property into a fully activated community asset – connecting people to the river,
demonstrating ecological stewardship, and providing inclusive access to nature close to home. With
GOCO’s support, Coffman Ranch will model how conservation, agriculture, restoration, and public
access can coexist, delivering lasting benefit to the region. Thank you for your consideration of this
transformative project.
Pitkin County BOCC has reviewed and is in support of this project and the Pitkin OST partnership with
AVLT as the lead applicant on this grant.
Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners Chair
Date
Apr-27-2026
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Restoration Areas:
- Activity 1: Establish native graminoids through
seeding efforts (app. 16 ac)
- Activity 2: Following establishment of
graminoids, interseed forbs/wildflowers to
improve biodiversity and pollinator habitat
(app. 16 ac).
- Activity 3: Native shrub and tree
establishment. Plant locally sourced trees and
shrubs to expand structural diversity, building
off existing forest and shrubland habitat (2,500
plants).
- Activity 4: Restoration maintenance and
monitoring. Throughout all phases of
restoration, maintain appropriate irrigation and
manage noxious/non-native vegetation to
ensure success of restoration. Monitor success
on yearly basis and address areas as needed.
Wetland Restoration/Creation:
- Activity 1: Remove remnant ranch refuse and
grade area to accommodate wetland hydrology.
Activity 2: Establish wetland vegetation.
Focused on emergent wetland species, utilize
wetland sod, custom seed mixes, and wetland
plugs to establish appropriate vegetation in the
expanded wetland area.
Activity 3: Maintenance and monitoring.
Maintain appropriate hydrology to establish
wetland vegetation and manage noxious/non-
native vegetation. Monitor success on yearly
basis and address areas as needed.
Fence Alignment (4,735 ft)
Restoration Seeding - Native Graminoids and Forbs (16 ac)
Wetland Restoration (0.5 ac)
Trail Alignment
Boardwalk (580')
Native/Natural Surface Trail (1620')
Bridge
Coffman Ranch Vegetation Communities
Intermountain Ruderal Grassland and Shrubland/Disturbed Ground
Montane Wet Meadow
Palustrine Emergent Wetland
Palustrine Scrub Shrub Wetland
Remnant Riparian Forest
Rocky Mountain and Great Basin Montane Riparian Forest
Western Montane-Subalpine Riparian and Seep Shrubland
River Access Trail:
- Terminating at large cobble bar on inside bend on south bank of the river.
- Optimize boardwalks to allow for natural flow of hydrology and immersive
experience with wetlands.
- Interpretive signage highlighting wildlife habitat (beavers, river otters, mule
deer, raptors, cavity nesting birds), significance of restoration, and riparian
vegetation communities.
0 500 1,000250 Feet
AVLT's Coffman Ranch: Restoring Land Opening Access
Figure 1. Project Overview Map
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Working Agricultural Lands/Pasture
Driveway and Parking
Lot Improvements