Boulder Reservoir Master Plan Project
The Boulder Reservoir Master Plan Project is underway!
What's Next:
City Council Study Session - Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009
The purpose of the study session will be to provide council members with background information on the Boulder Reservoir area and master plan project and to get preliminary input on the vision statement, goals and key challenges for the plan. There is no public hearing at this meeting. A public hearing on Phase I of the master plan project will be scheduled for City Council in January 2010.
Update on the Project:
A public meeting was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. Listen to the meeting:
A public open house and workshop was held Monday, July 13, 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the project to the community, get feedback on a draft vision and set of goals for the Boulder Reservoir recreational area, and identify the challenges that need to be addressed in the plan.
Overview of the Master Plan Project:
The city is beginning the development of a master plan for the Boulder Reservoir 
Study Area 174.39 Kb. The purpose of the plan is to establish management goals and objectives for Parks and Recreation Department land and activities at the Boulder Reservoir (including Tom Watson Park and Coot Lake) that will guide long-term investment strategies and programs.
The project will be conducted in the following three phases:
Phase I: Vision, Goals and Issues
Phase II: Policy and Plan Alternatives
Phase III: Draft and Final Master Plan
Staff has begun Phase I of the project and anticipates completion of the plan by the second quarter of 2010.
There will be several opportunities for the public to participate in development of the master plan throughout the process. Staff will hold public meetings at each phase of the project and provide on-going updates at this Web site and to e-mail list subscribers (Sign up for "Reservoir").
Previous Meetings:
July 13, 2009: Public Workshop on the Vision, Goals and Challenges
Be Involved!
You can receive updates and provide comments five different ways:
- Use our online comment form to send us your comments
- Phone us: 303-441-3272
- Become an e-mail list subscriber to receive announcements (Sign up for "Reservoir").
- Join Twitter to receive project updates
- Attend a public meeting (See What's Next for upcoming meetings)
Background and Scope
In 1954, the City of Boulder and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District made an agreement for the development of Big Thompson water for domestic and agricultural demands. That year the Boulder Reservoir was built at the cost of $1,190,000 as a regulator for all Big Thompson water delivered beyond the Boulder Reservoir. Subsequently, the City of Boulder developed the reservoir into a water-oriented recreational area. In November 1981, a bond issue was passed and in 1983 the Boulder Reservoir Development Master Plan was completed. The purpose of the plan was to investigate alternative master planning approaches for redevelopment of the site.
The master plan for the reservoir has not been updated since 1983. Over the years, a variety of amenities have been added and recreational use has increased. An updated master plan is necessary to determine future direction for the operations and management of the site, to establish investment priorities and capital needs.
The plan will be developed through an interdepartmental staff team in order to coordinate city-wide goals, issues, management plans, and operations. The plan also will integrate the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability and will include but not be limited to recommendations about recreational uses, financial management, operations, access and transportation connections, event management, hardscapes and turf management, natural land management, water quality protection, and water conservation.
The Boulder Reservoir Master Plan will help implement the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation 2006 Master Plan. The 2006 plan includes investment priorities guided by community input, the PRAB and the City Council. The department's investment priorities are based on the city's business plan and the department's financial situation. Investment priorities for recreation facility development are prioritized based on making needed improvements within a fiscally constrained funding level and leveraging existing infrastructure and resources by investing in revenue producing facilities such as the Boulder Reservoir. The department's master plan also includes a goal to prepare management plans for all developed and undeveloped lands.
This project will be concurrent with the Lyons-to-Boulder Trail (formerly the Feeder Canal Trail) process. The Lyons-to-Boulder Trail is expected to terminate at the north end of the Boulder Reservoir and will affect the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan. Issues with the development and management of the trail were identified in the Community Environmental and Assessment Process that was approved by City Council in March 2006. Staff will coordinate both planning processes in order to fully address potential impacts to Parks and Recreation Department facilities and budget.
Back to Reservoir
Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 14:14
Parks & Recreation 
Oct. 21 Public Meeting Audio