HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/21/2015 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 086, 2015, AMENDINGAgenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 21, 2015
City Council
STAFF
Daylan Figgs, Senior Environmental Planner
John Stokes, Natural Resources Director
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 086, 2015, Amending Chapters 17 and 23 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins to Create an Exception for the Possession and Discharge of Firearms for a City-Managed Pronghorn
Hunting Program on Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to propose amendments to the City Code to facilitate a limited pronghorn hunting
season at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (SPNA). The Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Management Plan
(2007) identified pronghorn hunting as a potential recreation activity at SPNA. Over the last few years, Natural
Areas has worked in collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Larimer County’s Natural
Resources Department to explore and develop a potential approach to pronghorn hunting on Soapstone
Prairie Natural Area (SPNA) and the County’s Red Mountain Open Space (RMOS) that could begin in 2016.
Hunting access to SPNA and RMOS would provide an additional recreation opportunity to the community,
assist CPW in maintaining pronghorn population objectives, and support the respective management plans of
the properties. Changes to City Code are necessary to allow for the carry and discharge of firearms when
participating in the hunting season on City-owned property. The specific program parameters will be adopted
administratively by the Natural Areas Department.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The SPNA Management Plan identifies pronghorn as a conservation objective within the shortgrass prairie/
grasslands system. SPNA is located within an area defined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) as a critical
wintering area for pronghorn during the period from January 1-March 15. Pronghorn are abundant at SPNA;
with the lower number of pronghorn occurring during the summer months and higher numbers in the winter.
The SPNA Management Plan (2007) allows for hunting to be considered as a recreational activity on SPNA;
but implementation was deferred until a time staff was able to fully understand the biological and conservation
implications of a hunting program as well as its relationship to other recreational uses of the property.
SPNA lies in CPW’s Game Management Unit 9 (Map 3). CPW considers the pronghorn herd at or near its
population objective (The Pronghorn Management Plan Cherokee Park Herd Data Analysis Unit PH-33, GMUs
9 & 191 (2013)). Currently, two hunting seasons occur within Unit 9; the regular private land season in
October and a second late season that occurs from November 1 through December 31.
CPW contacted the Natural Areas Department (NAD) to discuss the potential for providing access to SPNA for
the pronghorn late season. The same outreach was made to Larimer County for access to RMOS. The
majority of land within GMU 9 is privately owned, making access for pronghorn hunting limited. Hunting
access to SPNA and RMOS would provide an additional recreation opportunity to the community, assist CPW
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 2
in maintaining pronghorn population objectives, and support the respective management plans of the
properties.
Larimer County’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) initiated a limited elk and deer hunting season in
2010 on Red Mountain Open. The hunting season has been extremely popular with hunters and well
managed by DNR and CPW. DNR Rangers and CPW District Wildlife Managers monitor and regulate the
hunting program and are available for enforcement if needed. If a pronghorn program is implemented at
SPNA, NAD Rangers will be involved in managing the program with assistance from DNR Rangers and CPW
management staff.
NAD has opted to not pursue an elk or deer season at this time. Hunting opportunities are provided at RMOS
where animal densities are higher. DNR has structured a hunting program that focuses on areas away from
the trail system and during the weekdays where other recreational use is limited. Also, the management plans
for the respective properties were developed to co-manage the properties in a way that provided a broad range
of recreational opportunities, but not necessarily provide all opportunities at both properties. SPNA has higher
pronghorn densities than RMOS and this species is widely distributed across the site. Thus, NAD will take the
lead in this effort.
As currently envisioned, the City, County, and CPW will develop a pronghorn hunting opportunity for both
SPNA and RMOS. Access to SPNA and RMOS would be allowed with a special use permit issued by the City
for SPNA and the County for RMOS and within the established late hunting season and after the regular
closure SPNA and RMOS to public use which occurs on December 1st (and lasts until March 1). The hunting
season will end by December 15, well in advance of the critical wintering period defined by CPW. Access to
SPNA and RMOS will be limited to no more than ten permit holders and only within areas designated as open
to hunting. Following DNR protocol for other limited hunting seasons on RMOS:
All parties interested in hunting on SPNA and RMOS will be required to apply for an access permit.
An administration fee will be charged for each application and used to offset staff time to administer
the hunt.
Permits will be issued through a lottery system.
Hunters will be required to attend a mandatory orientation with NAD and DNR staff to review rules and
regulations, receive detailed maps of hunting areas on SPNA and RMOS, and provide contact
information for staff.
Hunters will be allowed to park in designated areas; access from the parking areas will be non-
motorized only.
Hunters that are successful in drawing an access permit will be required to apply and receive a late season
Unit 9 pronghorn permit from CPW.
Currently, City Code and NAD regulations only allow for the open carry or discharge of a firearm on Natural
Area properties under certain circumstances. Hunting is not one of the circumstances. The proposed changes
to City Code include the addition of language to allow for the discharge of firearms or weapons by a person in
possession of a City-issued permit within an area identified and in the manner authorized by the subject
permit. The program parameters and specific conditions of the permit are subject to the administrative
approval of the Natural Areas Director.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
An administrative fee will be charged for each application and used to offset staff time to manage the hunt.
Costs to administer the program also will be shared by DNR and CPW. The ultimate goal is for the program
to be cost neutral. However, given the uncertainty in the level of public interest (number of applications for
access) and the total administrative costs, there may be unrecovered costs in the first few years. Program
costs will be tracked and fees adjusted over time to meet the cost neutral goal.
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 3
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
At its April 8, 2015 meeting, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board recommended that City Council
approve this item.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The concept of a recreational hunting program was approved as part of the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Management Plan (2007). During the extensive public outreach process to rewrite the Natural Areas Master
Plan (2014), the concept of a pronghorn hunting season at SPNA was presented for input during several public
open house events, including on January 30, 2014 and June 19, 2014. While some members of the public did
not support hunting, the overall response was positive.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Land Conservation & Stewardship Board minutes, April 8, 2015 (PDF)
2. Sustainability Assessment Summary and Tool (PDF)
ATTACHMENT 1
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
DATE: July 7, 2015
SUBJECT: Sustainability Assessment (SA) Summary for Pronghorn Hunting Season at Soapstone
Prairie Natural Area
Key issues identified:
Recreational opportunity that City doesn’t offer anywhere else, potential to build
relationship with hunting community.
Hunting season identified within the Soapstone Prairie Management Plan (2007) as a
management objective
Numerous open houses conducted around Open Space Master Plan update in 2014 which
included this proposal
Some limited social benefits may be available to a small fraction of the population
Suggested mitigation actions:
• None required.
Economic , 0 Social , 0.0
Environmental
0.5
Rating
Average, 0.2
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
Sustainability Rating
Rating without mitigation Rating with mitigation
Rating Legend
3 Very positive
2 Moderately positive
1 Slightly positive
0 Not relevant or neutral
-1 Slightly negative
-2 Moderately negative,
impact likely
-3 Very negative, impact
expected
*The Fort Collins SAT was developed by modifying the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Analysis Tool developed by Eugene, Oregon, July 2009. 1
City of Fort Collins SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL (SAT)
Creating a sustainable community
Plan Fort Collins is an expression of the community’s resolve to act sustainably: to systemically, creatively, and thoughtfully utilize environmental,
human, and economic resources to meet our present needs and those of future generations without compromising the ecosystems upon which we
depend.
How to use the tool
The Sustainability Assessment Tool (SAT) is designed to inform a deeper understanding of how policy and program choices affect the social
equity, environmental health and economic health of the community. The City of Fort Collins has developed a Sustainability Assessment
Framework that describes the purpose, objectives, and guidelines to assist City Program/Project Managers to determine:
• The process for cross-department collaboration in using the SAT
• Timing for applying a SAT
• When to apply a SAT
• How to document the results of the SAT and present at City Council Work Sessions and Regular Council Meetings
Further detailed guidance is available at: http://citynet.fcgov.com/sustainability/sustainabilityassessments.php
The SAT does not dictate a particular course of action; rather, the analysis provides policy makers and staff with a greater awareness of some
of the trade-offs, benefits and consequences associated with a proposal, leading to more mindful decision-making.
Brief description of proposal
Please provide a brief description of your proposal – 100 words or less
Amend City Code to enable a limited pronghorn hunting season at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (SPNA). The Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Management Plan (2009) identified pronghorn hunting as a potential recreation activity at SPNA. Over the last few years, Natural Areas has
worked in collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Larimer County’s Natural Resources Department to explore and develop a
potential approach to pronghorn hunting on Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (SPNA) and the County’s Red Mountain Open Space (RMOS) that
could begin in 2016.
Staff lead(s):
Please note staff name, position/division and phone number
Daylan Figgs, Environmental Program Manager, Land and Water Management, Natural Areas Dept.
Also in attendance: Heidi Phelps, Social Sustainability; Justin Scharton, Environmental Planner, Natural Areas; Justin Fredrickson, Natural Areas; (invited
representation from EHO, no one could attend)
2
Social Equity
Described: Placing priority upon protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range of universal human rights, including those pertaining to civil,
political, social, economic, and cultural concerns. Providing adequate access to employment, food, housing, clothing, recreational opportunities, a
safe and healthy environment and social services. Eliminating systemic barriers to equitable treatment and inclusion, and accommodating the
differences among people. Emphasizing justice, impartiality, and equal opportunity for all.
Goal/Outcome: It is our priority to support an equitable and adequate social system that ensures access to employment, food, housing, clothing,
education, recreational opportunities, a safe and healthy environment and social services. Additionally, we support equal access to services and
seek to avoid negative impact for all people regardless of age, economic status, ability, immigration or citizenship status, race/ethnicity, gender,
relationship status, religion, or sexual orientation. Equal opportunities for all people are sought. A community in which basic human rights are
addressed, basic human needs are met, and all people have access to tools and resources to develop their capacity. This tool will help identify how
the proposal affects community members and if there is a difference in how the decisions affect one or more social groups. Areas of consideration in
creating a vibrant socially equitable Fort Collins are: basic needs, inclusion, community safety, culture, neighborhoods, and advancing social equity.
Analysis Prompts
• The prompts below are examples of the issues that need to be addressed.
They are not a checklist. Not all prompts and issues will be relevant for any
one project. Issues not covered by these prompts may be very pertinent to a
proposal - please include them in the analysis.
Is this proposal affected by any current policy, procedure or action plan?
Has advice been sought from organizations that have a high level of
expertise, or may be significantly affected by this proposal?
Proposal Description
Change City Code that prohibits carrying of firearms to allow carrying of
firearms with a City issued permit in conjunction with a limited pronghorn hunt
at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, managed in partnership with Larimer County
Dept. of Natural Resources, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife
1. Meeting Basic Human Needs
• How does the proposal impact access to food, shelter,
employment, health care, educational and recreational
opportunities, a safe and healthy living environment or
social services?
• Does this proposal affect the physical or mental health of
individuals, or the status of public health in our community?
• How does this proposal contribute to helping people achieve
and maintain an adequate standard of living, including housing,
or food affordability, employment opportunities, healthy families,
or other resiliency factors?
Analysis/Discussion
- Not a large program, not going to impact greatly
- Could be of benefit if someone needed sustenance
- Reasonable fee, equitable drawing
- Harvesting pronghorn could be an affordable food source
- Mental and physical health benefits to those who draw a permit
2. Addressing Inequities and being Inclusive
• Are there any inequities to specific population subsets in this
proposal? If so, how will they be addressed?
• Does this proposal meet the standards of the Americans with
Disabilities Act?
• How does this proposal support the participation, growth
- Equitable draw
- Advertising within the CPW Hunting Guide, like any other hunting
opportunity within the state
- Backcountry setting where hunting would take place is not ADA
compliant, but not required
- Soapstone is distant, so it may be difficult to access for some
3
and healthy development of our youth? Does it include
Developmental Assets?
• If the proposal affects a vulnerable section of our community (i.e.
youth, persons with disabilities, etc.)
populations
3. Ensuring Community Safety
• How does this proposal address the specific safety and
personal security needs of groups within the community,
including women, people with disabilities, seniors, minorities,
religious groups, children, immigrants, workers and others?
- Hunting will be by permit only and during a time that property is closed
to all other users. Hunters will be closely managed by City staff and
others
4. Culture
• Is this proposal culturally appropriate and how does it affirm
or deny the cultures of diverse communities?
• How does this proposal create opportunities for artistic and
cultural expression?
- Helps maintain expression of outdoors lifestyle
- Hunting was a historical activity on the property and region
- Broadens the spectrum of recreation within the natural area system
5. Addressing the Needs of Neighborhoods
• How does this proposal impact specific Fort Collins
neighborhoods?
• How are community members, stakeholders and interested
parties provided with opportunities for meaningful participation
in the decision making process of this proposal?
• How does this proposal enhance neighborhoods and
stakeholders’ sense of commitment and stewardship to our
community?
- Neighbors have expressed concerns about refuging animals, proposal
would assist in mitigating that concern
- Numerous open houses conducted around Open Space Master Plan
update in 2014 which included this proposal
6. Building Capacity to Advance Social Equity
• What plans have been made to communicate about and
share the activities and impacts of this proposal within the
City organization and/or the community?
• How does this proposal strengthen collaboration and
cooperation between the City organization and community
members?
- Recreational opportunity the City doesn’t offer anywhere else,
potential to build relationship with hunting community
- Some outreach from Natural Areas around opportunity
Social Equity Summary
Key issues:
4
Potential mitigation strategies: Including Spanish language outreach
Overall, the effect of this proposal on social equity would be:
Please reach a consensus or take a group average on the rating, enter an “x” in one of
the following boxes and indicate the overall rating.
Rating represents group consensus X
Rating represents group average
+3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3
Very
positive
Moderately
positive
Slightly
positive
Not
relevant
or neutral
Slightly
negative
Moderately
negative,
impact
likely
Very
negative,
impact
expected
X
Environmental Health
Described: Healthy, resilient ecosystems, clean air, water, and land. Decreased pollution and waste, lower carbon emissions that contribute to
climate change, lower fossil fuel use, decreased or no toxic product use. Prevent pollution, reduce use, promote reuse, and recycle natural
resources.
Goal/Outcome: Protect, preserve, and restore the natural environment to ensure long-term maintenance of ecosystem functions necessary for
support of future generations of all species. Avoid or eliminate adverse environmental impacts of all activities, continually review all activities to identify
and implement strategies to prevent pollution; reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency; conserve water; reduce consumption and
waste of natural resources; reuse, recycle and purchase recycled content products; reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.
Analysis Prompts
• The prompts below are examples of issues that need to be addressed.
They are not a checklist. Not all prompts and issues will be relevant for
any one project. Issues not covered by these prompts may be very pertinent
to a proposal - please include them in the analysis.
• Is this proposal affected by any current policy, procedure or action
plan? Has advice been sought from organizations that have a high level
of expertise, or may be significantly affected by this proposal?
1. Environmental Impact
• Does this proposal affect ecosystem functions or
processes related to land, water, air, or plant or
animal communities?
• Will this proposal generate data or knowledge related to the
use of resources?
• Will this proposal promote or support education in
prevention of pollution, and effective practices for
Analysis/Discussion
- Recognize that CPW sees this proposal as a population control for local
pronghorn
- Provides a small amount of additional property specific data on
pronghorn population
- Proposal will help ensure that pronghorn population does not exceed
5
reducing, reusing, and recycling of natural resources?
• Does this proposal require or promote the continuous
improvement of the environmental performance of the City
organization or community?
• Will this proposal affect the visual/landscape or aesthetic
elements of the community?
limits of management unit objectives
2. Climate Change
• Does this proposal directly generate or require the
generation of greenhouse gases (such as through
electricity consumption or transportation)?
• How does this proposal align with the carbon reduction goals for
2020 goal adopted by the City Council?
• Will this proposal, or ongoing operations result in an
increase or decrease in greenhouse gas emissions?
• How does this proposal affect the community’s efforts to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise mitigate adverse climate
change activities?
- N/A
3. Protect, Preserve, Restore
• Does this proposal result in the development or modification
of land resources or ecosystem functions?
• Does this proposal align itself with policies and procedures
related to the preservation or restoration of natural habitat,
greenways, protected wetlands, migratory pathways, or the
urban growth boundary
• How does this proposal serve to protect, preserve, or restore
important ecological functions or processes?
- Hunting season identified within the Soapstone Prairie Management
Plan (2007) as a management objective and recreation opportunity
- This model is important step towards continuing the conservation on
the property, though the scope is small
4. Pollution Prevention
• Does this proposal generate, or cause to be generated,
waste products that can contaminate the environment?
• Does this proposal require or promote pollution prevention
through choice of materials, chemicals, operational practices
and/or engineering controls?
• Does this proposal require or promote prevention of
pollution from toxic substances or other pollutants
regulated by the state or federal government?
• Will this proposal create significant amounts of waste or
pollution?
- N/A
6
5. Rethink, Replace, Reduce, Reuse, Recirculate/Recycle
• Does this proposal prioritize the rethinking of the materials or
goods needed, reduction of resource or materials use, reuse of
current natural resources or materials or energy products, or
result in byproducts that are recyclable or can be re-circulated?
- Food source is a valid efficient use of a natural resource
6. Emphasize Local
• Does this proposal emphasize use of local materials,
vendors, and or services to reduce resources and
environmental impact of producing and transporting
proposed goods and materials?
• Will the proposal cause adverse environmental effects
somewhere other than the place where the action will take
place?
- Locally sourced food
-
Environmental Health Summary
Key issues:
Potential mitigation strategies:
Overall, the effect of this proposal on environmental health would be:
Please reach a consensus or take a group average on the rating, enter an “x” in one of
the following boxes and indicate the overall rating.
Rating represents group consensus
Rating represents group average X
+3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3
Very
positive
Moderately
positive
Slightly
positive
Not
relevant
or neutral
Slightly
negative
Moderately
negative,
impact
likely
Very
negative,
impact
expected
.50
Economic Health
Described: Support of healthy local economy with new jobs, businesses, and economic opportunities; focus on development of a diverse economy,
enhanced sustainable practices for existing businesses, green and clean technology jobs, creation or retention of family waged jobs.
7
Goal/Outcome: A stable, diverse and equitable economy; support of business development opportunities.
Analysis Prompts
• The prompts below are examples of the issues that need to be addressed.
They are not a checklist. Not all prompts and issues will be relevant for any
one project. Issues not covered by these prompts may be very pertinent to a
proposal - please include them in the analysis
• Is this proposal affected by any current policy, procedure or action plan? Has
advice been sought from organizations that have a high level of expertise, or
may be significantly affected by this proposal?
1. Infrastructure and Government
• How will this proposal benefit the local economy?
• If this proposal is an investment in infrastructure is it designed
and will it be managed to optimize the use of resources
including operating in a fossil fuel constrained society?
• Can the proposal be funded partially or fully by grants, user
fees or charges, staged development, or partnering with
another agency?
• How will the proposal impact business growth or operations
(ability to complete desired project or remain in operation), such
as access to needed permits, infrastructure and capital?
Analysis/Discussion
- Goal to be cost neutral
- User fee funded
- Small amount of local spending to support activity
-
2. Employment and Training
• What are the impacts of this proposal on job creation
within Larimer County?
• Are apprenticeships, volunteer or intern opportunities
available?
• How will this proposal enhance the skills of the local workforce?
- N/A
3. Diversified and Innovative Economy
• How does this proposal support innovative or
entrepreneurial activity?
• Will “clean technology” or “green” jobs be created in this
proposal?
• How will the proposal impact start-up or existing businesses or
development projects?
- Encouraging an innovative use of a natural area
4. Support or Develop Sustainable Businesses
• What percentage of this proposal budget relies on local services
or products? Identify purchases from Larimer County and the
State of Colorado.
- CPW licensing
- Hunting supplies may be bought locally
8
• Will this proposal enhance the tools available to businesses
to incorporate more sustainable practices in operations and
products?
• Are there opportunities to profile sustainable and socially
responsible leadership of local businesses or educate
businesses on triple bottom line practices?
5. Relevance to Local Economic Development Strategy
Economic Prosperity Summary
Key issues:
Potential mitigation strategies:
Overall, the effect of this proposal on economic prosperity will be:
Please reach a consensus or take a group average on the rating, enter an “x” in one of
the following boxes and indicate the overall rating.
Rating represents group consensus X
Rating represents group average
+3 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 -3
Very
positive
Moderately
positive
Slightly
positive
Not
relevant
or neutral
Slightly
negative
Moderately
negative,
impact
likely
Very
negative,
impact
expected
0
- 1 -
ORDINANCE NO. 086, 2015
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTERS 17 AND 23 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION FOR THE POSSESSION AND
DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS FOR A CITY-MANAGED PRONGHORN HUNTING
PROGRAM ON SOAPSTONE PRAIRIE NATURAL AREA
WHEREAS, in 2004, the City acquired a 12,579-acre property from Soapstone Grazing
Association which has been supplemented by additional land acquisitions to a current total size
of 22,000 acres and is now named the “Soapstone Prairie Natural Area” (Soapstone); and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the Soapstone Master Plan in 2007, along with
Wildlife and Vegetation Management Guidelines, in which Natural Areas Program staff outlined
potential implementation of stewardship and conservation objectives and public education
programs, including potential hunting on Soapstone; and
WHEREAS, Soapstone was opened to the public as a City natural area beginning in
2009, and has annually been closed to the public between December and February as part of
interagency regional wildlife management efforts; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Larimer County began managing a limited elk and deer hunting
season on Red Mountain Open Space, adjacent to Soapstone, which has been proven to be an
effective tool for Larimer County and the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife to monitor
and regulate game populations in the region; and
WHEREAS, since 2007, Natural Areas staff have studied opportunities to coordinate
regional wildlife management efforts with federal, state and county wildlife officials, which has
led to long-range interagency management efforts in and around Soapstone, including the
reintroduction of Black-footed ferrets and American Bison in 2015; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the successes of Larimer County’s hunting program on Red
Mountain Open Space and pursuing Soapstone Master Plan objectives, Natural Areas staff
conducted public outreach in 2014 regarding offering limited pronghorn antelope hunting on
Soapstone and incorporated that input into creating a hunting program as a recreational objective
in the Natural Areas Master Plan adopted by Council on October 7, 2014, by Resolution 2014-
089; and
WHEREAS, staff have determined a limited program, coordinated with Larimer County
and the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, to offer pronghorn antelope hunting on
Soapstone, between December and February, will further interagency efforts to manage regional
game populations that migrate across contiguous open space and natural areas without interfering
with other recreational uses of the property; and
WHEREAS, the current City Code prohibits discharge of firearms or weapons in natural
areas for hunting; and
- 2 -
WHEREAS, staff recommends adoption of an exception in the City Code to allow the
discharge of a firearm in a natural area, when a party possesses a city-issued hunting permit and
the discharge occurs within the terms of that permit; and
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2015, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board reviewed
the proposed amendments to the City Code and program parameters for a limited pronghorn
antelope hunting season on Soapstone, and unanimously recommended Council adopt the
changes necessary to accommodate the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council finds that updating the restrictions on the discharge
of firearms and weapons within City limits in Chapter 17 of the City Code and the discharge of
firearms and weapons in natural areas in Chapter 23, to accommodate the administration of a
limited hunting permit program in the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, is in the best interest of
the City and its residents.
Section 2. That Section 17-101 (b) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 17-101. Discharging of weapons; permit.
. . .
(b) The discharge of firearms or weapons by any member of any law enforcement
office in the course of such member's law enforcement training exercises or official duty
shall not be deemed a violation of Subsection (a) above, and any firing range or training
facility operated and maintained by Fort Collins Police Services or the County Sheriff's
Office is exempt from the permit requirements specified in Subsection (c) below. The
discharge of firearms or weapons in a City natural area, as defined in Section 23-192, by
a person in possession of a valid, current, City-issued hunting permit shall not be deemed
a violation of Subsection (a) above if the discharge occurs within the area identified and
in the manner authorized by the subject permit.
. . .
Section 3. That Section 23-193 (d)(20) of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is
hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 23-193. Prohibited acts; permits.
. . .
(d) Except as authorized by a permit obtained for such use from the Service Area, it
shall be unlawful to:
- 3 -
. . .
(20) Possess in a natural area any gun, pistol, crossbow, bow and arrow,
slingshot or other firearm or weapon whatsoever, including BB guns or pellet or
paintball guns, except as permitted by a City-issued or other lawfully issued
permit. Discharge of any such firearm or weapon shall be prohibited, except in a
natural area as expressly permitted by a City-issued hunting permit.
. . .
Section 4. That Section 23-195 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 23-195. Routine permit processes.
The Director may establish an alternative permit process for any activity specified in
Subsection 23-193(d) that is subject to standardized requirements and conditions,
including but not limited to issuance of hunting permits in a natural area through a lottery
system. Issuance of a permit under any such routine permit process shall be on a first-
come, first-served basis, or first-drawn basis when a lottery system is used to determine
recipients of a limited number of permits. A routine permit process for an activity such
as camping may utilize an on-site system located at the permitted camping area. In
connection with and as a condition of any routine permit process, the payment of an
administrative fee may be required by the City Manager pursuant to Chapter 7.5 of this
Code.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 21st day of
July, A.D. 2015, and to be presented for final passage on the 18th day of August, A.D. 2015.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk
- 4 -
Passed and adopted on final reading on this 18th day of August, A.D. 2015.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk