County updates progress on two large open-space options; public feedback stresses conservation and water protection

County land-management staff updated the Summit County Council on progress toward completing option agreements and funding packages for two large acquisitions: the Your Ranch and the 9/10 Ranch.

On the Your Ranch, staff said the county entered an option in March 2023 for a property of roughly 835 acres with a purchase price of $25,000,000 and a $5,000,000 down payment from the open-space GoBond. "We have not committed any actions on this property except for the 85 acres that is considered the North Meadows," Jessica Kirby told the council, and she said a $6,200,000 contribution secured through Summit Lands Conservancy will fund the North Meadows piece and preserve it in perpetuity.

Kirby said the county has launched a public information map and received more than 450 individual comments since the first open house; the most frequent themes were keeping water on the property, preserving wildlife and maintaining agriculture and ranching uses. Staff emphasized that conservation easements would be permanent and that more clarity on what a conservation easement allows will be a focus at the next open house.

On the 9/10 Ranch (nearly 9,000 acres), staff said the county placed the property under option with a price of $55,000,000 and a $15,000,000 down payment, leaving a $40,000,000 balance. The county has submitted or plans to submit multiple grant requests, including a pending $40,000,000 grant application and other conservation-restoration grant requests; staff said they have secured approximately $600,000 in restoration funds and are seeking additional awards in spring and summer to close the funding gap. A practitioner roundtable, wildlife counts and an ambassador program are underway to inform management planning.

Council members stressed careful language in public outreach after some community members interpreted the term "opportunity area" as signaling imminent development; staff said they will strike that terminology and present clearer labels like "North Meadow" and "South Meadow" at future engagements. No final acquisition decisions were requested at the meeting; staff sought feedback and said public engagement and grant-seeking will continue.