Heated County Commissioners Meeting - Prairie Dogs And Road Paving Spark Debate  June 2011

By Tina Eden
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On June 13 the Boulder County Commissioners held their annual meeting at St. Mary Magdalene Church to a standing-room-only audience of over 150 people.

The majority of the crowd was in attendance to express their opposition to the proposed relocation of 500 prairie dogs from the City of Boulder to the Richardson II open space located northeast of Lookout Road and 75th Street.  The open space, which is owned by the city, borders on county open space and homes located in the county, but not in the city.

The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was fraught with high emotions.  Commissioner Cindy Domenico refused to leave her seat to address the crowd after they shouted at her, and Commissioner Ben Pearlman repeatedly asked the audience to not yell.

Numerous citizens addressed the commissioners, expressing their disappointment and anger with them.  Many in the group felt that the commissioners, who are the only locally elected representatives for county residents, have not communicated to the City of Boulder their concerns about, and opposition to, the proposed relocation.  Several citizens asked the commissioners to submit letters to the city and the Colorado Department of Wildlife in objection to the relocation.

Commissioner Ben Pearlman told the attendees that letter writing would not be as productive as citizens themselves addressing the City of Boulder.   The crowd became impatient with his response, and then shortly thereafter, Heatherwood resident Robin Leventhal approached the commissioners asking each whether or not they would agree to write a letter to the city.   Commissioners Domenico and Pearlman said they would do so, but Councilman Will Toor declined to go along with the idea.

Pearlman spoke to the audience about the county’s prairie dog management.  He noted that because of their migratory patterns, there is volatility in their population and location, making their management a difficult task.  He also noted that the Richardson II Open Space already has a prairie dog colony, and that adding more prairie dogs would only “speed up” their life cycle, rather than alter the situation.

His frustration with the situation showed when he said that if the attendees didn’t feel as if their opinion was being represented by the commissioners, they should vote to be annexed into the City of Boulder. That statement was met by a chorus of "no’s".

The meeting addressed other issues.  Several attendees asked about subdivision road funds, which, according to the commissioners, are not adequately funded through present taxation.

“Where is the money?” asked a resident who identified herself as having lived in Gunbarrel for over 40 years.  Pearlman explained that a road repair tax county residents approved 18 years ago expired two to three years ago, leaving the coffers nearly bare.  He and the other commissioners would like to ask all county subdivisions to vote for a new road repair tax to fund road reconstruction.

Sheriff Joe Pelle was present at the meeting.  He noted that the Gunbarrel area has been relatively crime free lately with the exception of a “rash” of car break-ins in the winter and early spring.  The vandals were opportunistic, stealing items only from unlocked cars.  “Secure your property,” was the advice given by Pelle.

The sheriff’s office will be moving to a new location at 5600 Flatiron Parkway, which is off 55th Street and south of Valmont.  Pelle feels the new location will be more convenient for the patrol officers and public as the majority of their calls come from the eastern portion of the county. The Niwot substation in Cottonwood Square will remain in its present location.

Photo by Tina Eden
Gunbarrel resident Lucy Straid addresses the county commissioners at their annual meeting held at St. Mary Magdalene Church on June 13.