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UTE PASS REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN
STAKEHOLDER MEETING MINUTES
COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITES
March 30, 2015
10:30am – 11:30am
Attendees:
Kim Gortz, Colorado Springs Utilities
Julie Gamec, THK Associates, Inc.
Randall Navarro, THK Associates, Inc.
Discussion:
THK briefly reviewed the background information of the project including the Public Workshop and the
comment forms for gathering public input. Randall described the project area based on his recent field
work including the steep terrain and lose, gravel soils. The area has challenging hiking conditions and
route connections. Considering Pyramid Mountain as an alternative would be a difficult trail with the
need to make 2 separate connections over US 24.
CSU had relayed information to THK prior to this meeting depicting an area of CSU property in the
project area that is being considered a “Restricted Access Area”. (See map attachment) CSU and THK
discussed this area and CSU will not consider a trail connection through the restricted access zone while
the area is under litigation. Certain properties within the zone will have permanent restrictions. Until
that is known all other alternatives should be examined.
THK and CSU discussed other trail alignment options through their parcels around the eastern and
western project limit. CSU currently has a pipeline through the area of interest. Duplicating the pipeline
route with the trail is discouraged for two reasons. One, CSU must prioritize safety and security of
infrastructure over recreation improvements. Recreation facilities that run over pipelines increase
erosion and decrease surface stability around the pipeline as pipelines were never sited and constructed
with sustainable trail methods in mind. Routes offset from infrastructure are a preferred alternative.
Furthermore, access to facilities by the public (e.g., via trail) often leads to vandalism and security
related issues. Secondly, the pipeline corridor and surrounding property is subject to litigation and
pending limitations. Considerations for use of this corridor will only be considered once there is more
certainty around the use restrictions for the area. THK conveyed that through this corridor there are
several historic trail makers that EPC would like to include in the trail alignment. CSU acknowledges this
route has historical significance and importance to the community. The historical/current use over the
section of pipeline was never publically vetted nor approved per City code and watershed access policy.
Regardless of current or proposed use CSU emphasizes the need to reduce erosion and vandalism risk to
their infrastructure.
THK and CSU discussed other potential routes that would occur on CSU property. Randall described
some existing access roads that could be used to make trail connections up to French Creek Trail which
currently connects to Heizer Trail. CSU would be open to using some of these access roads for the trails.
However, the existing road that travels northwest and connects to US 24 at approximately the Waldo
Canyon Trailhead would pose the biggest challenges and limited opportunity, according to CSU.
Currently, the road has controlled access via a gate at US 24. This road is governed by an easement
agreement between CSU and several property owners to allow for the use of the road as access to landlocked inholdings. These property owners do have keys to the gate. If this road is considered, the
property owners who currently use it would have to be involved and have input on the impacts to the
road because of a trail. CSU said they may consider an alternate alignment, potentially running parallel
or adjacent to the road to minimize the impact to property owners who utilize the road. There are
several spur roads that connect to this road that CSU would consider utilizing as long as it wouldn’t
impact the use agreements with private property inholdings. Additional challenges to using this route
include managing pedestrian and vehicular traffic at US 24.
THK and CSU discussed the current connection at Waldo Canyon specifically CDOT restrictions, safety of
users and the desire to discourage traffic from crossing US 24 or parking at the gate. In this discussion,
the group talked about where the trail could potentially join US 24. Some additional safety issues to
taking the trail down to the location of the existing red gate include pedestrian trail traffic crossing US
24 and into the currently closed Waldo Canyon burn area as well as those identified by CDOT for access
lanes for traffic to turn and merge safely. However, CSU was open to the trail moving further north and
west to connect to CDOT ROW at another location, if appropriate.
Because of CSU’s continued involvement and desire to be a “good neighbor” to the property owners in
the area, CSU suggested that the project team consider a viewshed analysis along the trail where
alignments could be in close proximity to private property. A viewshed analysis will analyze the visual
impact that may occur, where trail users could be seen and/or find routes to help obscure private
residences.
CSU also mentioned that currently, there is a need to develop a specific agreement between CSU and
USFS on the Waldo Canyon Parking area. This would entail working with USFS and CDOT to meet
current ROW restrictions. The existing Waldo trail corridor however, has established agreements
between CSU and USFS.
The group agreed that as alternatives are developed, CSU would like to continue the discussion and
provide comment on alignments. Kim also offered, should the project team need additional input in the
field, she would be happy to meet us on site.
Attachments:
Map of Restricted Access Area