HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-096-09/06/2022-SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR A GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO LAND ACQUISITION GRANT FOR THE BUCKEYE CONSE RESOLUTION 2022-096
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR A GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
LAND ACQUISITION GRANT FOR THE BUCKEYE CONSERVATION
AND FRONT RANGE GATEWAY PROJECT
WHEREAS,the City's Natural Areas Department,in partnership with Larimer County(the
"County"), is seeking to apply for a grant through Great Outdoors Colorado ("GOCO") for a
GOCO Land Acquisition Grant(the "Grant")to acquire a 1,000+acre ranch north of Fort Collins
(the"Property"); and
WHEREAS, acquiring the Property would help conserve a large tract of land that provides
wildlife habitat and movement corridors in an area subject to significant development; and
WHEREAS, the City and County are seeking Grant funds of$766,800 towards the total
estimated cost of$3,000,000 to $4,000,000 to purchase approximately 700 acres of the Property,
with the current owner of the Property expressing an intent to donate a conservation easement on
the remaining portion of the Property; and
l iEREAS, the City and County would split the remaining costs to purchase the Property
with the City paying 65%and the County paying 35%; and
WHEREAS,the City would own the purchased portion of the Property to operate as a City
natural area, and the County would hold a conservation easement on the entire Property; and
WI IEREAS, the Natural Areas funds necessary to pay the City's share of the acquisition
costs are already appropriated and available for expenditure; and
WHEREAS,the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider
a resolution approving the Grant application on September 6, 2022; and
WHEREAS, should GOCO award the City and County the Grant, City staff will ask the
City Council, by a separate resolution, to authorize the City to enter into a grant agreement with
GOCO and the County for the Project and to provide any other necessary authorizations.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals above.
Section 2. That the City Council strongly supports the GOCO Land Acquisition Grant
Application.
Section 3. That if the Grant is awarded the City Council strongly supports the plan to
acquire the Property.
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Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 6th
day of September, A.D. 2022.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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