2021 POS Annual Report Memo DRAFT

DATE: April 1, 2022 TO: Mike Bordogna, County Manager and Honorable Board of County Commissioners FROM: Janet Kask, Parks & Open Space Director RE: 2021 Annual Report: Parks & Open Space Department We are pleased to present the Parks & Open Space Annual Report for 2021. I have enjoyed serving as the County’s POS Director for the past 6 years overseeing the following 7 budgeted divisions: Open Space Administration; Parks Administration (trails, parks, schoolhouse); Fairgrounds/Regional Park Administration (Fairboard/Colorado State Extension); Open Space Commission (PES/GuSG/LHP); Historic Preservation (Historic Commission); Vegetation Control & Management; Conservation Trust Fund; and Grant Fund. Below is a categorized year-end synopsis of 2021. The Parks & Open Space (POS) department is proud to highlight the opening of 2 new trails, the acquisition of a climbing wall and trail; along with the installation of 2 new structures at the Fairgrounds/Regional Park to name just a few of the many accomplishments during 2021. The POS department also installed new/replacement signage at County parks, trails and POS vehicles to incorporate the new County logo. Additionally, we hope you will enjoy the attached photo history of our 2021 year in the dynamic and diverse, Parks & Open Space Department. Trails: Parks: Historic Preservation: Open Space Commission: PES/Soil Health: Pollinator Gardens: Fairgrounds/Regional Park: Vegetation Control & Management: Grants: I believe the POS department has a productive and cohesive staff who work well together. As per your email of 1/14, I think for the most part, the POS staff got many things right during 2018. I really can’t think of anything “going off the tracks” so to speak. If projects were delayed, it would have been due to either a staff shortage and/or budgetary constraints. My attitude is “we make do with what we have.” However, summer is a very busy season for the County’s POS department and seasonal employees are key to our 1

success and the ability to host various events throughout the year. Therefore, I’ve increased the number of hours for our parks seasonal employee in 2019. During the course of the year, the POS department has 5 full-time employees*. (*I count our Fairgrounds Coordinator as full time, but she works 30 hours/week for a total of 60 hours each pay period). During the height of our busy spring/summer season, we hire additional part-time seasonal employees and grow to an approximate total of 10 in staffing. This doesn’t include the 6+ seasonal employees hired to work in the Vegetation Control & Management (VCM) department each year. Yes, I assist in the interview process and their hiring, but their time sheets are approved by Ron Mabry. Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information. Thank you. 2

2021 Parks Division Rich Hamilton, Parks Supervisor Rich’s Ongoing Regular Maintenance Tasks and Duties:  Administers day to day operations and maintenance at Down Valley Park, Placerville Park and Schoolhouse, Cemetery and Fort Peabody (Mill Creek Park)  Supervise construction, maintenance of County trails, trailheads, signs, dog pots  Operator in charge of down valley parks’ small water systems  Performs Nordic grooming at Priest Lake and Trout Lake for 2 days/week, winter  Supervises three seasonal employees and volunteers during summer months Additional 2021 Parks & Trails Projects Annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk The 2021 Turkey Trot had a record-breaking 186 participants plus 20 dogs (on leashes). This year’s costume winners were the two families who all dressed as penguins. 3

Royer Gulch Mud Slide On July 20th, monsoon rains released a deluge of mud and debris down Royer Gulch on the east end of the Telluride Valley. The torrent of mud, boulders and tree limbs plugged up two large culverts and sent approximately 5 million pounds of debris down Colorado Avenue and the Idarado Legacy Trail. After removing 117 full size truckloads of material and using heavy equipment to complete the final clean-up, the trail was reopened on August 11th. 4

Down Valley Park Beach Improvements The Down Valley Park pond beach, which is surrounded by wetlands and a conservation easement, was becoming overgrown with grasses and willows. After the beach was cleared of encroaching vegetation and widened, 15 tons of high quality beach sand was brought in to improve this popular family attraction. Down Valley Park Pond Beaver Issues Since 2020 or earlier, beavers have occupied the DVP pond, built a lodge on the island and chewed and felled many trees in the park. A Beaver Management policy was prepared by Boyle Consulting and adopted by the Open Space Commission in 2021. The policy calls for coexisting with beavers but discouraging beavers from making the park a permanent residence. Recommended methods to discourage beavers from making a permanent residence include lodge removal, fencing trees and lodge sites, chemical repellents, and non-lethal trapping and translocation. 5

Bilk Creek Bridge and Access Gate SMC and private property owners rebuilt the Bilk Creek bridge in 2021. Material costs were shared, the bridge was made by the Alexander family who graze cattle on their land in the upper Bilk Creek drainage, the gate was refurbished by County staff. The bridge and gate provide public access to the Bilk Climbing Wall, under a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy and managed by San Miguel County POS. Ingram Creek Bridge on the Bridal Veil Trail A bridge spanning Ingram Creek on BVT was a collaboration of SMC, TMtC, CPW and Idarado / Newmont Mining Co. and funded by SMC, TMtC and a grant from CDOT/CPW. A helicopter flew in a generator, pre-fabricated steel and bridge decking lumber. Prior, hikers had to fjord Ingram Creek which was hazardous at high water. Local Onsite Builders donated time and materials to construct stairs connecting the bridge to the existing BVT. The new bridge will open up to the public on May 1st, 2022. 6

Upper Bridal Veil and Waterfall Spur Trail Improvements In consideration of the large amount of visitors to the East End of Telluride Valley, more collaborative improvement projects were completed on the Bridal Veil Trail in 2021. The first project was the re-alignment of an unsafe, user created trail to the second waterfall on Bridal Veil Creek. The Parks and Open Space crew, with help from the Telluride Mountain Club, the United States Forest Service and the Southwest Conservation Corp constructed a spur trail to safely access this stunning waterfall. The second project was the improvement of the upper Bridal Veil Trail from the base of the Bridal Veil Falls up to the next switchback on CR K69 / Black Bear Road. The County Parks crew, with help from the Southwest Conservation Corp, cut out numerous trees that had fallen, improved switchbacks, widened the trail and removed some old mining cables. The trail to the pool at the base of Bridal Veil Falls was also improved. In 2022, SMC Parks and Open Space plans to hire a contractor to install metal stairs and a railing to get visitors up a steep rock face, which will safely connect hikers to the upper Bridal Veil Trail section. 7

Park Pedestrian Trail Improvements Both the Down Valley Park and the Placerville Park (pictured here) received a sprucing up of park pathways and trails. Each park received a 15 ton truck load of red shale trail fines to improve the pedestrian flow throughout the parks. Five Large Cottonwood Trees Removed It was sad to see these old growth, Narrow-leaf Cottonwood trees go, but they were dead and had become a hazard to the public using the Placerville Playground. Long range plans for this area include planting more trees, stump grinding and a new picnic table with pad and pathway to create a new passive recreation and picnic area closer to town, shops and bus stop. 8

Keystone Gorge Loop Trail Improvements A hazardous switchback on the popular Keystone Gorge Loop Trail was reconstructed, widened and reinforced using thousands of pounds natural stone. The dry stacked stones were sourced on site and moved with a specialized rock hammock that took 2-4 people per stone to mobilize into place. Remine Trail Re-route The wood bridge spanning Remine Creek is now only for hikers, after a new re-route was built to create a safer experience for bikers. Bikers and hikers now have fewer conflicts traveling over the bridge just upstream. 9

Mud Slide on the M59 River Trail Monsoon rains caused a significant mudslide that temporarily closed Highway 145 and sent mud and debris over the highway and onto the lower 1000 feet of the M59 River Trail. CDOT never fulfilled their promise to blade the remaining 900 feet of the trail impacted by the mud slide, so additional heavy equipment work needs to be done in 2022. Volunteer Tree Planting at Down Valley Park In 2021 the Rotary High School Interact Club planted approximately 12 Ponderosa Pine saplings and another 20 Mountain Mahogany shrubs around the Down Valley Park. 10

New TNA Piston Bully Snowcat Parks and Open Space contributes $12,000 each year towards Telluride Nordic Association operating costs and donates staff time 2 days per week towards grooming operations. In 2021, an additional $10,000 dollars was donated towards the purchase of a 2020 PB100 snow cat, seen here. 11

2021 FAIRGROUNDS DIVISION DeeAnna Burbridge, Fairgrounds Coordinator San Miguel Basin Rodeo and the Grand Opening – Outdoor Arena Renovation & Upgrade Project The Red Ribbon Grand Opening Ceremony was held on July 23rd. The project was completed in 2020, but the first major event held in the arena was the 2021 San Miguel Basin Rodeo. The scope of the project included removal and replacement of footing and perimeter fencing; excavation of arena floor to improve drainage; relocation of power utilities and installation of a new power/light pole; installation of new drainage on the race track; and construction of a retaining wall between the race track and arena. We now boast of excellent footing in the arena; beautiful six rail coped welded fencing; Priefert paneled livestock pens and roping chutes/boxes. 12

Solar Panel Installations Solar arrays for the Glockson Building, New Sheriff’s Annex, and the Event Center/Pig Palace were installed on the Event Center roof. Each subarray connects directly to a building’s electric meter. Energy Efficiency Improvements LED lighting upgrades were made inside and outside of the Events Center. The natural gas-fired furnace was replaced with a 12kW electric duct heater in the supply ductwork. Replacing the existing furnace will result in natural gas savings but increase the consumption of electricity. However, the solar PV array should help offset this additional electric consumption. Finally, the existing water heaters were replaced with electric water heaters. This 2021 project was basically completed by the end of the year, realizing an annual savings in utility bills, (anticipated to be $3,108 on average for electricity) for the Fairgrounds. 13

Ride the Rockies From June 14-16, the Town of Norwood, San Miguel County Fairgrounds and Norwood Public Schools hosted the 3rd leg of a 6-day bicycle tour covering over 400 miles of riding in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. This 101-mile leg of the journey brought close to 2000 participants, staff, vendors, volunteers and support personnel to the small Town of Norwood – more than doubling its population during that time. The community rallied to provide food for all, after one of the vendors was unable to fulfill its obligations due to COVID influences. 14

NPRD Roller Skating and Pickle ball Norwood Parks and Recreation Department sponsored roller skating and pickle ball at the Pig Palace. Attendance included both young and old. 15

Crown of Community Infrastructure Upgrade Project This project consists of a phased replacement of major facility components including the Ballfields/Playground Irrigation system, Outdoor Arena lights and speakers, Perimeter and cross fencing, bleachers, Indoor Arena panels, rough stock pens/alleyways/loading chutes, and an electrical upgrade to the west side of the Event Center. Staff began the process of procuring GOCO and DOLA grant funding in the fall of 2021. 16

2021 Norwood Facility Maintenance Division Charlene Starks, Maintenance Technician The San Miguel County Renewable Energy & Resiliency Project took place at Norwood facilities and fairgrounds from early summer through December, through the busiest of the event season. The Norwood Fairgrounds Staff provided access, information, and oversight to the many, various sub-contractors on-site for this project. Therefore, staff time for maintenance projects above and beyond daily tasks and special events was limited. Charlene’s Ongoing Regular Maintenance Tasks and Duties:  Plow snow, shovel walks, and put ash on icy spots around all facilities.  Load trash and recycling at all facilities and transport to transfer station  Check oil, charge batteries, and provide regular maintenance to fleet vehicles  Oversee mechanical and electrical contractors at all facilities  Burn weed and grass along highway, scale house, and along fences  Fix mouse holes and empty and set mouse traps  Regular maintenance on all fairground equipment: hoses, reels, tanks, mowers, groomers, bleachers, floors, lights, footing, fencing, pens, and roping chutes/boxes  Troubleshoot repairs to bathrooms, heaters, air conditioners, kitchens in all facilities  Install and repair furniture, shelves, doors, windows, bulbs, etc. in all facilities  Landscaping of lawns, gardens, shrubs and trees around all facilities  Prepare ice rink, pickleball court, and roller skating rink for recreational activities 17

Additional 2021 Norwood Facility Maintenance Projects: New Sheriff’s Office in Norwood Norwood maintenance staff person installed new electronic desks, shelving, door stops, and more. Sanded and repainted ground poles Replaced wood flooring on utility trailer 18

Removed insulation from roof of Pig Palace Replaced boards on the loading chute at the outdoor arena 19

2021 Facility Maintenance Division Dave Bush, Facility Maintenance/ Carpenter The San Miguel County Renewable Energy & Resiliency Project took place at County facilities from early summer through December. The Facility Maintenance Staff provided access, information, and oversight to the various sub-contractors on-site for this project at Miramonte, Courthouse and Ilium SO. Ongoing Regular Maintenance Tasks and Duties:  Shovel walks, and put ash on icy spots around County buildings.  Load trash and dog poop from GGP; Dog pots at Legacy Trail in summer  Oversee mechanical and electrical contractors at County Buildings  Maintain painting at Courthouse and Miramonte  Replace filters for HVAC system  Install and repair furniture, shelves, doors, windows, bulbs, etc. in all offices  Mow grass, rake leaves, weed and dead head flower beds at GGP Sand and repaint the Courthouse balcony railing and doors 20

Removing ice melt salt (that had dripped over the edge from courthouse deck) from bricks and flagstone, replace caulk and add weather seal Remove leaves from underneath the flat, new solar panels on courthouse roof with a leaf blower 21

Added a sealer/treatment to Courthouse concrete stairs damaged from ice melt salt Patched the rocks and mortar work under the Trout Lake water tank. This includes the original RGS railroad water line for the Trout Lake fire protection district. Sealed the new wooden deck and observation ramp at Ilium 22

Installed Covid screens and walls at Miramonte Building offices 23

New stairs and handrail at West Wing rear entrance New office for Juvenile Diversion into the West Wing building Built and installed new split door at Social Services offices 24

2021 Vegetation Management Division Julie Kolb, Vegetation Control Manager Julie’s Tasks, Duties & Accomplishments:  Management of County Noxious Weed Control Program (with Ouray County)  Ongoing correspondence with property owners through county regarding noxious weed control options and MOUs, cost share contracts for service, invoicing  Ordering and research of departmental supplies, organics, chemicals  Joined NAISMA committee for Invasive Species and Climate Change  Attended NAISMA meeting Legislative Committee: Discussion involved Infrastructure Bill, Protect Americas Children Bill and generally getting money into invasive species management; NAISMA Webinars  Attended NAISMA Bio Control Summit  Interviews and hiring, training and supervision of Assistant Manager  Got CO license in Turf upgraded to a Qualified Supervisor  Development of native seed mixes for revegetation efforts with BLM, NRCS, etc. Additional 2021 Vegetation Management Projects: Landowner Education In addition to public presentations, Vegetation Management interacted with over 30 landowners to promote weed management, and help residents identify noxious weeds on their properties. Recommendations were given to all residents as to the best methods for control. New seed mixes were established for restoration projects in San Miguel County, with collaboration from NRCS, the BLM and the USFS. SMC Building Department Collaboration Vegetation Management has seen an increase in the amount of development projects and mining exploration projects throughout the county, and has risen to the challenge of providing noxious weed mapping to the areas affected by development, providing evaluation of revegetation efforts and providing expert advice in managing noxious weed populations. SMC Parks & Open Space Collaboration Vegetation Management treated many trails in San Miguel County including a large infestation of Musk along Coal Chutes trail, and infestations of Musk Thistle and Canada Thistle on the Aldasoro Trail, and the Yellow Toadflax infestations along the Idarado Legacy Trail. These trails proved a great way to interact with the public and explain the reason for eliminating noxious weeds, as well as point out the species for public education. 25

Alternative Herbicide Test Plots In 2021 Vegetation Management established 4 plots throughout San Miguel County to test the efficacy of some alternative herbicides. Plot one in Norwood contained Canada Thistle, Whitetop or Hoary Cress, Bindweed and Kochia. Plot 2 in the SMC Basin Shop contained Russian Knapweed. Plots 3 and 4 were established in Ophir and contained Yellow Toadflax and Oxeye Daisy. A total of 7 invasive species were treated with two alternative herbicides. Although the time required to achieve a complete elimination of the noxious weed species varied, both alternative herbicides were successful with 3 or more applications timed throughout the year. Efficacy did vary with precipitation amounts. 26

Public Presentations In 2021 Vegetation Management provided over 11 public presentations to educate members of the public, and to add content to the County’s website. Highlights include presentations to Town of Norwood, Town of Ophir and to the Great Old Broads Club. Another highlight was presentations made to the areas’ youth at Environmental Appreciation Day! We had many young people learn about the noxious weeds around San Miguel County and a fun “treasure” hunt where the kids were challenged to find noxious weeds in the immediate area. 27

Test plots of alternative, organic herbicides 28

San Miguel County Historical Commission 2021 Historic Preservation Efforts (2021 members: Chair JJ Ossola, Ted Wilson, Kiernan Lannon, John Wontrobski, Amy Levek, Jonna Wensel, Bob Mather)  Ilium Valley RGS RR Grade River Deck: Preparing interpretive signage  Ilium Flume trail: Hiked for potential new trail development and collaborative effort with USFS, County OCS, and Telluride Mountain Club  Matterhorn Mill: Interior and exterior remediation and Joint Mine Waste Repository completed in 2021; continue to work with USFS on conveyance and acquisition process  Placerville RGS Depot: investigate potential for acquisition/relocation of depot structures from private property owners; consider partnership with TVFD, CDOT, HC for project; RFP for Feasibility Study in Spring 2022  Adams Ranch: Ongoing discussions with for potential historic designation of True Grit structures  Alta Lakes Town Site: Ongoing discussions with private owners of to install interpretive signage for historic structures  Barlow Homestead: Work toward Historic Designation at Elk Springs Ranch  Boy Scout Building in Norwood: Open discussion with NFPD regarding old, investigation of historic status  County Courthouse Ongoing repairs and maintenance to historic SMC building  East End historic resources: Ongoing communication with USFS to prioritize and develop a map for historic structures located on USFS land in East End  Fort Peabody: Performed repairs on historic structure  Liberty Bell structures: Ongoing discussions with USFS for protection and preservation of historic structures near Stillwell Tunnel  Trout Lake Water Tank: Repaired the footings of and replaced with wooden structural supports; fixed water leak 29

San Miguel County Open Space Commission 2021 OSC Accomplishments (2021 members: Chair Susie St. Onge, Olivia Coe, Angela Dye, Laura Kudo, Roger Wickham, Jason Merritt, Yvette Henson, Sefra Maples)  Land Heritage Program: 9K+ acre LCE application approved by the OSC and the BOCC for $55 K in funding  Payment for Ecosystems Services: County awarded a CWCB grant to enhance its existing PES program. Hired Terra Firm as grant administrator. Obtained 3 landowner commitments in 2021; a PES brochure was printed and distributed to attract more potential landowner participants in 2022.  Gunnison Sage Grouse: GOCO/NFWF Restore Grant ($277K) for GuSG recovery activities including installation of additional Zeedyk Structures at Miramonte Meadows/Greager and Tamarisk Removal at Dry Creek Basin. Worked with Montezuma Land Conservancy to hire coordinators to implement projects to enhance GuSG habitat in both San Miguel and Dolores Counties  Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: Obtained regular updates on COGCC from OSC member Roger Wickham  Recreation: **Trail, bridge, park projects are included in Rich’s section of report  Down Valley Connector Trail: Worked with The Mountain Club to apply for a CDOT MMOF Planning Grant for a feasibility study of the Down Valley Connector Trail project  Trail Education: Worked with The Mountain Club to strategize increased education and/or enforcement on trail etiquette; added QR code for link to County website with trail details in Spanish for translation purposes.  Regional Trail Map: Assist and participate in development of new Regional Trails Map, post and distribute  Telluride OSC: Ongoing communication and crossover report updates with TOT OSC  San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway Committee: Appointed OSC member Angela Dye as County liaison to San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway Committee (SJSSBC)  West End Trails Alliance: Monitored Busted Arm Draw and Beaver Park Trails Planning Project, handled by SE group for the USFS 30