Trustees introduce drought‑response plan, adopt OHV ordinance and preview wildfire‑resilient landscaping updates

Berth — In a clustered package of policy items, trustees on Tuesday heard a draft drought‑response plan, adopted municipal changes addressing off‑highway and toy vehicles, and heard an introductory amendment to town landscape guidelines to align with the state’s Wildfire Resiliency Code.

Drought response — staged triggers and public outreach

Administrator Kirk presented a tiered drought plan that defines a Watch level and Levels 1–3, each with escalation of standard restrictions (watering windows, vehicle washing, nonessential outdoor irrigation), enforcement steps and a variance process. Triggers include Northern Water Conservancy District quotas, modeled availability of decree water and measured demand at the town’s treatment plant. Staff recommended using AMI meter data and a strong communications program (bill inserts, press releases and targeted AMI alerts) to notify households when levels change.

Trustees and members of the public urged earlier public education about water‑wise landscaping, indoor conservation tips and near‑real‑time meter alerts. Staff agreed to fold drought messaging into upcoming conservation outreach and to return with revisions after stakeholder review.

Off‑highway vehicles — municipal enforcement added

Sergeant Dustin Williamson of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office explained a municipal code amendment that adopts Colorado Revised Statute definitions for off‑highway vehicles (OHVs) and toy vehicles and allows municipal‑court enforcement instead of pursuing state‑court citations. Trustees said they supported a public education push to show which devices are permitted and where; the board adopted Ordinance 1385 to put those definitions and penalties into the town code.

Wildfire‑resilient landscaping — introduction only

Planning Manager Ton Hillenbrand introduced two minor changes to the town’s 2023 Landscape Design Guidelines: (1) relabel defensible‑space zones in the guidelines so they align with the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (zone numbering adjustment) and (2) add a Firewise symbol to the plant lists to help residents choose low‑fuel species. The Planning Commission recommended approval; trustees received the item as an introductory reading and will consider final adoption at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 1385 (OHV definitions and municipal enforcement): adopted by roll call (all trustees present voted yes).
- Landscape guidelines amendment (introductory reading): presented; final vote deferred.
- Draft drought plan: introduced for board review; staff will prepare communications and a revised draft.

Provenance: drought plan and wildfire/landscape items (timeline SEG 3432–SEG 3660; landscape SEG 4892–SEG 4962); OHV ordinance (SEG 5000–SEG 5156).