Rules, Plans & Studies

Open Space Fuel Breaks

In 2022 and 2023, Open Space Department staff and their contractor mowed a nearly 20 mile long, ten-foot-wide lineal strip of open space land along the interface with private property. These efforts were important in reducing the potential of wildfires to spread both to home structures and open space.

Starting in 2024, staff will shift efforts away from the interface mowing operation to establish mowed fuel breaks at strategic locations around the Valley and North Ranch. These fuel breaks will be 20’-30’ in width and tie into other existing natural and man-made fuel breaks to form a continuous line of
protection around our built environment.

Staff is convinced that these fuel breaks will be more effective at mitigating the spread of wildfires and a more efficient use of Master Association resources compared to the interface mowing operation.

Homeowners along the interface should be encouraged to maintain the 10’ interface zone in open space to provide additional protection to their properties. The four mowing cycles completed over the past two years removed obstacles such as small shrubs, yucca plants, large rocks, fallen tree branches making it much easier for homeowners to complete this task.

The map, available to download below, illustrates the general location and width of the fuel break mowing at various locations. Staff will make necessary adjustments as analysis of sites in the field continues. Timing and frequency of mowing will vary but generally, will occur from June through September, completing 2-3 cycles.

Noxious Weed Control

The State of Colorado mandates control of noxious weed species to prevent the degradation of wildlife and native plant habitat, and agricultural lands. A significant portion of the open space department’s resources are dedicated to complying with this mandate and to achieve a high level of conservation value in community open space. The annual weed management plans lay out priorities for both contractual and in-house operations.

Wildcat Ridge Biological Cultural Resource Survey

ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) conducted an archaeological reconnaissance survey of the Ken-Caryl Ranch Master Association’s (Association) Wildcat Ridge Open Space area (study area) to identify cultural resources in the proposed trails and to obtain a sense of cultural resource density in the surrounding area. The gathered information will allow the Association to make more informed management and stewardship decisions about their cultural resources. The proposed trail alignments would connect to the Docmann Loop Trail in Docmann Gulch and climb ridges and hillslopes to the southeast before looping back on a slope’s northeast face. Much of the trail is confined to slopes that are covered in dense stands of Gambel oak, but portions of the proposed trail extend on to highpoints and ridgelines.

The survey’s main goal was to identify cultural resources in the study area and to provide the Association with management recommendations. ERO targeted high potential areas inside and outside the proposed trail alignments for new cultural resources and provide archaeological context for the previously unsurveyed area.

Stove Prairie Proposed Realignment

Stove Prairie Current Alignment to Remain

After a lengthy public process to gather feedback, the Stove Prairie Trail reroute will not move forward. Stove Prairie is an existing trail in the North Ranch that runs from Bradford Trail to Manor House Trail.

The proposed realignment was recommended to the Board by the Open Space Committee and was developed by the Volunteer Trail Coordinators. The Board heard extensive feedback from residents on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, the motion to reroute the trail was defeated with a 2-2 vote, which means the motion failed due to lack of majority. Board members Scotty Martin and Dave Seagraves voted against the reroute, and Board members Tom Bratschun and Chris Schroeder voted in favor of the reroute. Board member Philip Varley was not in attendance at the meeting.

Annual Trails Plan

As part of the annual budget preparation process, staff, with involvement of the Open Space Committee, will review the trail system and develop an Annual Trails Report with recommendations for specific projects for the upcoming year.

Beehives

Ken-Caryl resident Ed Galisewski installed beehives in the North Hogback Open Space in spring 2017. If you have any questions, contact Open Space Manager Sean Warren at seanw@kcranch.org or 303-979-1876, ext. 463.