Date: 12/03/2009

Final
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Recommend support for the purchase of the McClure PASS



02:05 PM -- Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Mr. Dean Winstanley, Director, Mr. Steve Cassin, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ken Brink, Assistant Director of Field Operations, and Mr. Eric Scholz, Capital Programs Manager, all representing the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation within the Department of Natural Resources, presented the division's FY 2010-11 capital requests and five-year projection of capital need. Mr. Winstanley first discussed the results of a recent division audit, and efforts to comply with certain audit recommendations. Mr. Winstanley then discussed the division's FY 2010-11 capital requests, and changes made to the line-item requests from previous years, which include consolidating several line items into fewer line items and moving certain expenditures to the division's operating budget. Mr. Winstanley provided an update on the Staunton State Park project, and addressed criticism regarding the division's failure to open the park in a timely manner.

02:16 PM

Mr. Winstanley continued to brief the committee on recent developments with the Staunton State Park project. He also discussed plans to redevelop Lake Pueblo State Park. Mr. Winstanley responded to questions regarding the source of funds for the division's initiatives and provided an update on the status of a parcel of federally-owned land near Staunton that must be acquired to provide public access to the park. Mr. Winstanley responded to questions regarding the use of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) moneys by the division. Discussion ensued regarding the opinion of the Attorney General on the use of GOCO moneys by the division. Mr. Cassin provided clarification regarding the use of such moneys by the division to cover operating costs.

02:26 PM

Discussion continued regarding the ability of the division to use GOCO moneys to cover operating costs, and the potential for seeking an Attorney General opinion on the matter. Discussion turned to the division's efforts in the areas of beetle kill and forest fire mitigation, and the potential for tapping resources such as federal stimulus moneys and the Colorado Youth Corps Association to assist with these efforts. Mr. Brink responded to questions regarding the scope of the mitigation efforts, and Mr. Winstanley noted the specific regions targeted for mitigation. Mr. Winstanley and Mr. Brink responded to questions regarding the entry of the spruce beetle into Colorado, and other infestations affecting Colorado's forests. Mr. Winstanley then provided an overview of the McClure Fee Title Acquisition property transaction proposal request, and explained the need to acquire the property. Committee members received a written description of the transaction proposal, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment H). Discussion ensued regarding the project's impact on access to Lory State Park.

02:39 PM

Discussion continued regarding the McClure property acquisition proposal. Mr. Winstanley and Mr. Brink responded to questions regarding the potential for allowing the public to camp on the property. Discussion followed regarding the cost of the McClure parcel, and the potential for purchasing an easement on the property to access Lory State Park rather than purchasing the property outright. Mr. Brink responded to questions regarding the potential for the division to construct public lodging on the McClure property.
BILL:Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
TIME: 02:43:59 PM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Recommend support for the purchase of the McClure Fee Title Acquisition ($395,000 CF for 99 acres). The motion passed on a vote of 3-2-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Kopp
No
McFadyen
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Sonnenberg
No
Riesberg
Excused
Bacon
Yes
Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:49 PM

The committee recessed.