To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Gini Pingenot, Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
prepared
Michele Frishman, Grants and Acquisitions Manager, Open Spaces
end
presenter
Presenter: Michele Frishman, Grants and Acquisitions Manager, Open Spaces; John Christofferson, Deputy County Attorney
end
Subject:
title
1:15 PM *Update on High Line Canal Acquisition
end
Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Staff will present an informational update for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on the planned acquisition of portions of the High Line Canal. No BOCC action is requested at this time.
end
Background and Discussion: Arapahoe County is working with Denver Water and the High Line Canal Conservancy (Conservancy) to take ownership of portions of the 71-mile canal corridor including sections in Arapahoe, Denver, and Adams Counties. Please note that, since signing our acquisition agreement, we have learned that Adams County expects to be able to take ownership of its section of the property directly from Denver Water this year, which will necessitate some changes to the transaction described below.
As part of its conveyance, Denver Water will reserve the right to continue to use the canal for water works purposes, and it will protect the property's conservation values through a conservation easement granted to the Conservancy. During the transition period through December 31, 2026, Denver Water will perform certain maintenance work to elevate the condition of the property, and Arapahoe County will begin to take over property management responsibilities from Denver Water.
Closing on the acquisition is currently scheduled for April 25, 2024. As we work toward closing, we have several negotiations and tasks in progress:
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Denver Water
County staff continue to negotiate a long-term IGA with Denver Water, which will govern each party's responsibilities pertaining to use and maintenance of the High Lin...
Click here for full text