Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: November 6, 2025 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1366 supporting Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund an engineering study of Fourmile Canyon Creek corridor to determine feasibility of building an accessible creek crossing on the Foothills South Trail. AND Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1367 supporting Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund improvements to the South Mesa Trailhead.

Staff Contact • • •

Dan Burke, Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Jeff Haley, Deputy Director, Open Space and Mountain Parks Hilary Dees, Visitor Infrastructure Senior Manager, Open Space and Mountain Parks

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion:

Motion to adopt Resolution 1366 supporting Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund an engineering study of Fourmile Canyon Creek corridor to determine feasibility of building an accessible creek crossing on the Foothills South Trail. AND Motion to adopt Resolution 1367 supporting Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program Grant Application by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department to fund improvements to the South Mesa Trailhead.

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is to request that City Council adopt Resolution 1366 and Resolution 1367 (Attachments A and B), confirming Council support for two grant applications submitted by the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) State Trails Grant Program. Together, the applications total $293,700 and would support efforts to enhance visitor experience, improve trail accessibility, and reduce long-term maintenance needs on City-owned lands managed as Open Space. Resolution 1366 (Attachment A) supports an application to evaluate the physical constraints and engineering requirements associated with constructing an accessible crossing over Fourmile Canyon Creek along the Foothills South Trail. Resolution 1367 (Attachment B) supports an application to implement site improvements at the South Mesa Trailhead to improve visitor access, enhance safety, and reduce ongoing maintenance demands. Adoption of these resolutions would authorize the City Manager to apply for the respective grants, affirm City Council’s support for completion of the proposed projects, and confirm the City’s commitment to provide long-term maintenance and to continue dedicating the affected lands to public recreation for a minimum of 25 years.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved, the City Manager will sign resolution 1366 and 1377 and this will complete the grant application.

Define and adopt a modified motion

Council would need to define any modifications or amendments to the draft motion language. This will likely require staff to bring back an amended version.

Deny the motion or take no action

If this motion is denied the grant application will not be considered during current funding cycle.

Refer back to staff

Staff will re-evaluate alternative funding sources for these projects.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity, and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area Accessible and Connected Environmentally Sustainable Citywide Strategic Plan The following strategies and priorities actions within the City of Boulder Citywide Strategic Plan 2024-2026 would be supported by the projects being proposed for grant funding: Strategy 7. Invest in and maintain a transportation system with an array of multi-modal choices to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. a. Priority Action: Implement programs and services that enhance equitable mobility. b. Priority Action: Strengthen regional transportation collaboration with strategic partners (e.g. RTD, CDOT, Boulder County) to accelerate the reduction of single occupancy vehicle trips and connect people to opportunity. c. Priority Action: Identify and implement key trail connections and access improvements to open space areas throughout the city that encourage multimodal options for access. Strategy 9. Increase community and ecosystem resilience to the current and future impacts of climate change. a. Priority Action: Relaunch our adaptable, long-term, and holistic resilience strategy—that encompasses economic, environmental, community, and infrastructure components to complement implementation of resource and ecosystem management plans.

Strategy 10. Continue advancement toward the city’s goal of an eighty percent reduction in emissions and the community’s goal of a seventy percent reduction by 2030. a. Priority Action: Expand efforts that eliminate carbon from (“decarbonize”) the built environment, vehicles, and operations and replace fossil fuel-based energy systems. b. Priority Action: Prioritize climate-related elements in city-owned facilities and operationalize key climate-related elements of the Facilities Master Plan. Staff Notes These two priority projects are strong candidates for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Non-Motorized State Trails Program grant funding. The crossing of Fourmile Canyon Creek along the Foothills South Trail has long been a barrier to safe and accessible trail use. A complete engineering study will help OSMP determine the type of crossing that can permanently support accessible visitation. South Mesa Trailhead requires significant maintenance, and its current design limits multi-modal access, including buses and shuttles.

Alignment with Additional City Plans Open Space and Mountain Parks Department Strategic (Master) Plan: These projects support multiple Tier 1, 2, and 3 priorities across focus areas including reducing ecological impacts, taking care of what we have, and providing welcoming visitor experiences. Open Space and Mountain Parks West Trail Study Area: This plan includes direction to bring trailheads in the study area up to standard and include accessible infrastructure. Open Space and Mountain Parks North Trail Study Area: This plan highlights the Foothills South Trail as a key portion of the OSMP trail system for visitor use. Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan: Supports multimodal access to recreation areas, community health and wellness, and sustainable use of public lands.

City Council History This is the first time this item has been before city council. This item is related to city council priorities of long-term financial health by seeking additional funds to complete projects and the OSMP’s Climate Action Plan to reduce operations emission and consider material choices that have long-term net positives in their carbon footprint.

Analysis Both projects advance OSMP’s goals of improving visitor access, enhancing safety, and ensuring sustainable trail and facility design that supports long-term stewardship of the

community’s open space lands. The proposed grant applications respond to identified needs in two high-use areas of the OSMP system—South Mesa Trailhead and the Foothills South Trail at Fourmile Canyon Creek—where infrastructure and design limitations currently affect visitor experience and resource protection. At Fourmile Canyon Creek, flood events in 2013 rendered the former trail crossing impassable, disrupting a previously accessible connection between the Foothills Trailhead and the Wonderland Lake Trailhead. Since that time, the area has lacked a safe and continuous route, particularly for visitors with mobility limitations. The proposed engineering and feasibility study would identify design options that meet accessibility standards while balancing ecological considerations and floodplain constraints. Understanding the technical requirements and environmental implications of a potential crossing will allow OSMP to evaluate feasible alternatives and prepare for future implementation funding. At South Mesa Trailhead, aging infrastructure, outdated circulation patterns, and high visitor demand have created operational and maintenance challenges. The proposed improvements would address key deficiencies identified in prior planning efforts, including poor parking circulation, insufficient accessible facilities, and erosion associated with unmanaged drainage and heavy use. Enhancing the trailhead layout, hardening surfaces where appropriate, and improving drainage and accessibility would improve visitor safety, reduce long-term maintenance needs, and protect adjacent natural and cultural resources. If awarded, the two CPW State Trails grants would provide critical funding to advance projects that directly align with OSMP’s Visitor Master Plan and Trails Program strategic priorities. Both efforts would enhance the public’s ability to access and enjoy open space while ensuring facilities are designed for resilience and sustainability.

Equity Analysis These projects both have significant improvements or will lead to significant expansion of access for visitors with mobility limitations. The engineering study will determine whether a Fourmile Canyon Creek crossing can be made accessible, completing the opportunity to travel from Wonderland Lake Trailhead to Fourmile Canyon Creek Trailhead on a wheelchair accessible, natural surface trail. The South Mesa Trailhead project, if awarded, will create new opportunities for school groups and youth programs to participate in educational activities by improving circulation, safety, and accessible facilities that support a broader range of community members.

Fiscal Note Estimated Fiscal Impact Narrative Council support of this grant does not have fiscal impact, however if either grant is awarded the estimated revenue would be up to $293,700 in 2026 in support of the projects listed. If awarded, staff would bring the appropriation forward for council review and approval in a future adjustment-to-base or during the annual budget process.

Current Year Estimated Fiscal Impact No anticipated fiscal impact in 2025. Fund(s): Open Space Fund Department(s): Open Space and Mountain Parks Program(s): Visitor Experience and Infrastructure Three-Year Estimated Fiscal Impact

Item

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Total Forecasted Revenue

$0

$ 293,700

$0

Total Estimated Expenses

$0

$0

$0

Net Estimated Impact

$0

$293,700

$0

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations Both projects advance OSMP’s efforts to plan, design, and manage infrastructure that is resilient to climate impacts and supportive of the City’s sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The Fourmile Canyon Creek feasibility study will evaluate crossing designs that account for increased precipitation intensity, flood risk, and sediment mobility expected under future climate conditions. By integrating hydrologic and ecological data early in design, the project will help ensure that future trail connections are durable, adaptable, and protective of riparian and floodplain function. At South Mesa Trailhead, proposed improvements will incorporate materials, construction methods, and circulation designs that support low-carbon operations and reduced maintenance demands. OSMP is systematically identifying ways to reduce vehicle trips, improve material efficiency, and limit energy use in field operations. Implementing durable, climate-resilient infrastructure at South Mesa directly contributes to these objectives by minimizing the need for frequent maintenance, reducing lifecycle emissions, and aligning with the City’s broader Climate Commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

Community Engagement OSMP selected the “inform” level on the City of Boulder’s Engagement Spectrum for applying for grant funding for these projects. However, both projects are the outcome of significant prior community engagement established through the West Trail Study Area (WTSA), North Trail Study Area (NTSA), and OSMP Strategic (Master) Plan processes. These earlier efforts gathered broad community input to identify priorities for improving visitor access, safety, and resource protection while maintaining the ecological integrity of open space lands. Engagement objectives focused on understanding visitor needs, balancing recreation and conservation values, and identifying opportunities to enhance accessibility. Tools included online surveys, open houses, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings, through which participants expressed strong support for improved trail connectivity, accessible infrastructure, and sustainable design solutions. The Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) reviewed and endorsed the relevant recommendations during the WTSA, NTSA, and Master Plan adoption processes.

Workplan Considerations This work is included in the department’s three-year workplan. If the South Mesa Trailhead grant application is successful, this project will be prioritized for construction in 2026 and the Dry Creek Trailhead improvement project will be delayed. If the Fourmile Canyon Creek trailhead grant application is successful, there will be no impact to the work plan.

Next Steps for City Council There are no anticipated next steps for City Council.

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Attachments • •

Attachment A - Proposed Resolution 1366 Attachment B - Proposed Resolution 1367