Cheyenne Mountain Neighborhood Association

February 2004 Newsletter

Jan 29, 2004

JL Ranch Project

The extension of Broadmoor Bluffs Drive to NORAD Road is proceeding. It appears work is continuing on a daily basis. Work on the roadways, drainage and utilities are the main focus of work. Most of the trucks used in the construction of the road have been using NORAD Road, which is appreciated by the residents of Broadmoor Bluffs Drive.

We are looking forward to being to use NORAD Road shortly.


Cheyenne Mountain State Park

After a long struggle, it would appear the Association is not successful in preventing the use of open wood burning campfires in Cheyenne Mountain State Park. We began this process over a year ago and recently the City Council chose not to require Colorado State Parks to sign an intergovernmental agreement which would implement the fire mitigation promises made by the State. Unfortunately, the City Council has decided that the verbal promises made by Colorado State Parks provide enough assurances for the City and the residents of Cheyenne Mountain.

Our work began with discussions with our State legislators, Colorado State Parks and the City Council. We learned that the Governor considers Cheyenne Mountain State Park his pet project and will not allow anyone to interfere with its completion. Both State legislators and City Council members were not able to compel Colorado State Parks to stop the use of these fires in our backyard. After hundreds of meetings and conversations, it would appear that Colorado State Parks is indeed more influential than both our State legislators and the City of Colorado Springs.

Interestingly enough, during our discussions with the City Council concerning the use of intergovernmental agreements to place in writing the fire mitigation promises made by Colorado State Parks, we learned how Cheyenne Mountain State Park was funded.

Apparently the City TOPS staff members wanted to preserve the JL Ranch for open space and prevent the construction of additional new homes. However, the City TOPS Program did not have enough open space funds to do so. City TOPS staff members then hatched a plan to bring Colorado State Parks into the picture to share the cost of purchasing the open space land. However, Colorado State Parks is required by State regulations to generate revenue from their parks and informed City TOPS that in order to do so, they would have to create a State Park with camping. This presented a dilemma for the City TOPS staff members since City TOPS open space funds can only be used for passive recreational activities and not developed park areas, including camping activities.

The plan developed by City TOPS to bypass this statutory requirement was:

?• Colorado State Parks would purchase the northern portion of JL Ranch that lies within City limits. Since Colorado State Parks has no restriction on the use of its funds, it will develop the campgrounds near the residential neighborhoods in this northern portion of JL Ranch.
?• City TOPS Program would purchase the southern portion of JL Ranch that is not within City limits but within El Paso County. This section of the park would only house trails and therefore, the City TOPS staff members believed they could bypass the TOPS open space use requirement.
?• City TOPS staff members would then create an intergovernmental agreement between the City and Colorado State Parks to allow the State an exclusive use of the southern lands owned by the City free of charge as part of the developed park.
?• The JL Ranch would be allowed to construct hundreds of homes on the northern portion of the park.

We believe that the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado State Parks links both land purchases together. This linkage or nexus allows Colorado State Parks to utilize the lands purchased with City TOPS open space funds for developed activities such as camping, in violation of City statutes.

In addition, we learned that this intergovernmental agreement that allows Colorado State Parks use of these open space may also violate City statutes as follows:

?“Excepting land leases for the growing of agricultural crops, no new open space land acquired through the revenue provided by these sales taxes or other revenue sources as described in this article may be sold, traded or otherwise conveyed, nor may any exclusive license or permit with respect to open space land be given, until approval is given by a majority vote of the electors of the City in a regular election after referral from the City Council or through a citizen initiative. Prior to referral to the electors of the City, the proposal shall be reviewed by the Advisory Committee established by this article which shall make a recommendation to the City Council.?”

Even though both these violations of City statutes can form the basis of legal action against the City of Colorado Springs, our Board of Directors believes that there is no support within our Association for legal action. Success in court could void the intergovernmental agreement that allows Colorado State Parks to use half of the park lands and therefore, could permanently stop the park. As well, the requirement that this agreement needs voter approval would force the City to conduct an election to allow the voters to decide the issue. If you disagree, please feel free to let us know.


Cheyenne Mountain Fire Mitigation Program


Our Association will be working this winter on the first phase of our Fire Mitigation Plan. This first phase will include the development of a pilot program for fuels reduction in one neighborhood on Cheyenne Mountain as well as the development of an evacuation planning tool or document for use by all residents. Our goal is to complete our work this winter and implement both items this coming spring. Members wishing to assist or to obtain information about this project can contact the Association at johnicholas@adelphia.net.


YWAM Residential Development

We have learned from one of our members that the YWAM property has recently sold to a Pueblo developer. We are assuming that they plan to develop the property for homes but have no further information at this time. When we learn more, we will keep everyone advised.


Membership

The Association is still in need of some volunteers to help with membership activities. Your time can be as minimal as your schedule allows and any help is greatly appreciated. To volunteer, contact Maureen Frediani at Kwajmaureen@yahoo.com or 579-6643

Thanks for your help.

NORAD Visitor?’s Center Project

Work continues on the new NORAD Visitor?’s Center project on the NORAD Road. Work is scheduled to be completed this winter or early spring.

The visitor?’s center and security buildings are now enclosed and work continues inside.

The Association will continue to work with the neighbors and NORAD to complete the project will as little impact as possible on their homes.

Broadmoor Bluffs Drive Subsidence Problem

The City and Gates Development are still in disagreement about the extent and cost to repair Broadmoor Bluffs Drive. No progress on starting a permanent repair has yet taken place. The City has committed to keeping the road in good repair while the issue is resolved.


Membership Dues


It?’s that time of the year when we collect dues from our association members. Last year our membership dues were $ 1 and were collected in person or at meetings. Our Board recently met to discuss dues amounts for 2004 and collection methods. Since our current dues are so small, it is not feasible to ask members to send $ 1 in dues by mail. The effort required of our members and Board to manage this collection process does not warrant levying dues. Therefore, there will be no dues required for 2004.

Our expenses are so small and are often paid for by Board members themselves that the Board decided not to require dues from our members but to simply ask interested members to submit voluntary contributions to the Association. The suggested voluntary contribution is $ 5 and if anyone wishes to contribute more than $ 5, this is acceptable as well. The Board believes that the number of contributions will be less under this new method but the overall amount should be same or slightly greater than 2003 with less effort to collect same.

Please note that whether members choose to contribute or not, their names will remain on our mailing list and they will receive all communications and newsletters. We value all of our members.

Voluntary contributions can be sent to:

Chris Blees
Treasurer
Cheyenne Mountain Neighborhood Association
6285 Colfax Terrace
Colorado Springs, CO. 80906


Thanks everyone. As always, if you have any questions either call me at 538-9190 or e-mail at johnicholas@adelphia.net.