SAVE McARTHUR GULCH!

Park County Residents Call on State Land Board to Set Aside Proposal to allow Commercial Group to hold 10,000 Participant Mud Races

Concerned citizens deliver a letter opposing commercial interest; ask Board to fulfill stewardship responsibilities regarding McArthur Gulch

Park County, CO – September 2, 2014 – Today Park County residents Pam Jacobus and Myron Morrow delivered a letter signed by residents and business owners asking the State Land Board to set aside its August 8th action directing staff to complete negotiations with Human Movement Management (HMM), a Delaware-based corporation.

“The Board acted hastily by directing staff to complete this commercial lease negotiation with HMM to hold 10,000 participant mud races, several times a year on this pristine piece of land,” said Jacobus. “There’s no indication the impacts to our community, the environment or area wildlife were taken into consideration.”

The commercial proposal for weekend racing events with up to 10,000 participants on the 480 acre McArthur Gulch land parcel in Park County are outlined below.
“This proposal presents tremendous risks to our community ranging from fire, to water quality and other environmental degradation,” said Jacobus. “In addition, the State Land Board has failed to address enormous traffic and parking impacts on our community or potential costs to local taxpayers.”

A summary of the letter:

On August 8, 2014, at a meeting in Breckenridge, the State Land Board approved a recommendation that the staff be directed to complete negotiations with an entity known as Human Movement Management (HMM) for a recreation lease on the 480 acre McArthur Gulch state trust land parcel in Park County, off County Road 64, between the communities of Bailey and Shawnee.

·Residents of the area had no knowledge that the Board would be considering this proposal and therefore had no opportunity to explain to the Board the project's adverse effects.

·The proposal presents great risks ranging from fire, to water quality and other environmental degradation (including harm to species and habitats), and to public health and safety issues.

·Land committed to the Board’s fiduciary care is for a “perpetual, intergenerational, public trust … dependent on sound stewardship, including protecting and enhancing the natural beauty, natural values, open space and wildlife habitats thereof, for this and future generations.” (Art. IX, Colorado Constitution)

·The commercial proposal is for "weekend adventure racing events with up to 10,000 participants per day."

·The staff memorandum states that HMM has produced outdoor adventure races under names such as The Ugly Sweater Run and The Dirty Girl Mud Run. The memorandum also lists Denver's Oktoberfest.

·The carrot for this is a proposal to include "skills building retreats [that] will target under privileged youth aged K through 12," in groups estimated "between 50 to 100 participants per week."

·The memorandum is silent on any experience HMM has in conducting challenging outdoor educational programs.

·The memorandum is tellingly silent on any consultations with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Health and the Environment, Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Denver Board of Water Commissioners, Park County Sheriff's Office, Platte Canyon Fire and Ambulance Service, Park County Road and Bridge, Park County Search and Rescue and Platte Canyon School District Board of Education.

·The Board has not addressed the impact on historic preservation as demonstrated by the work of the Park County Historical Society and the Shawnee Historical Society, whose efforts have secured a place for the Shawnee Historical District on the National Register of Historical Places.

And of the MANY questions that have yet to be answered....What provisions have been made for parking,sanitation and generally crowd control for that massive amount of people...?

10,000? No big deal, that's the same size event as the Evergreen Town Race - and that's a max number. It'll probably be more like the size of Emily's Parade.

It should have some additional approvals and plans, but it does sound like a good deal for the local merchants.

Nobody that matters wrote: 10,000? No big deal, that's the same size event as the Evergreen Town Race - and that's a max number. It'll probably be more like the size of Emily's Parade.

It should have some additional approvals and plans, but it does sound like a good deal for the local merchants.

As I understand it....THIS proposal was NOT vetted thru adequate channels and was NOT a TRANSPARENT platform. THAT is not ok in my mind's eye.

In the interests of including as many relevant facts as possible, here's the actual meeting notes from http://www.trustlands.state.co.us/NewsandMedia/Documents/Web%20Board%20Packet%20-%20September%202014.pdf

In it, it says that "Additional questions were asked regarding the next steps, which staff clarified is approval to negotiate a lease and not to approve a lease. Staff anticipated taking six months to negotiate a lease."

So, the project has just entered the phase to get all that transparency you want. It's during this negotiation phase that HMM will have to address the board's (and public's) concerns.

"Completing negotiations" does not mean that anything is approved, it simply means that the State Land Trust is able to spend time negotiating a lease that addresses several concerns that the board raised (traffic is high among those). Then it goes back to the board for approval.

B-3 – Recreation Lease - Human Movement; Park County
Presented by Abe Medina, Recreation Program Manager and Greg Ochis, Assistant Director
Summary:
Human Movement Management (HMM) has applied for a recreation (REC) lease on 480 acres of state
trust land located in Park County, commonly referred to as McArthur Gulch. HMM’s proposal includes
two major components:
1) weekday use by the organization to host outdoor education and skills building retreats for K-12
age students; and
2) weekend adventure racing events with up to 10,000 participants/day.
To accommodate the proposed use, HMM intends to develop a 5k/3.1 mile high-use trail with various
obstacles, along with facilities to facilitate daytime and overnight use by participants (e.g. cabins,
shelters, barn pavilion, etc). Due to the significant capital investment required to build the proposed
facilities, HMM has requested and staff is recommending a 30-year lease. A Powerpoint presentation
was reviewed in consideration of this item.
Discussion Notes:
This agenda item included a general overview, including background from staff, comments
from HMM representatives, comments from the existing agricultural lessee and their legal counsel,
and local land use authorities. Mr. Medina opened the presentation with an overview of the property,
August 2014 Board Meeting & Workshop Minutes – page 7
the existing uses, and the revenues received from this lease. He also reviewed the proposed uses
outlined in the HMM proposal, in which the recreation lease would be used during the week to
support outdoor education activities for K-12 public schools, and during the weekends for adventure
racing events. The proposed lease would be broken up into phases, including planning, construction
and operations. Staff provided an overview of the activities and revenue associated with each lease
phase. Leases will not be layered on this property, with staff recommending cancellation of existing
leases. The existing revenue is low and higher revenue potential exists with the proposed recreation
lease. Staff also verified with Park County that the proposed uses under the recreation lease are
compatible with zoning.
Questions were asked about the maintenance reserve required to be kept by HMM, the
balance of which funds would eventually revert to the State Land Board. Regarding jurisdictional
approval, very general discussions have taken place with Park County staff. Concerns were expressed
about the 30 year long-term lease, the high level of participants, the possibilities of overwhelming
the local Sheriff’s department and causing issues with traffic and road damages.
Jeff Suffolk and Morgan Sanko from HMM also provided information and comments to the
Board. HMM is defined as an active entertainment company which has been producing events for the
last five years. Information was provided about the organization’s management team, youth
educational events, awards and recognition, and work done with non-profits, including Big
Brothers/Big Sisters. The youth events have been in production for over 10 years, largely related to
weekend events. Discussion was held regarding outdoor education events, and HMM’s intent to start
working with DPS. The educational components are funded by the events, which have a charity
component.
Following the initial overview, Director Ryan provided a brief disclosure regarding a personal
connection to Big Brothers/Big Sisters before the Board had continued discussions with HMM staff.
Concerns were discussed regarding staging, the amount of people expected daily, and how the event
participants arrive in groups at different times. Comments were also made about the positive
economic benefits which will be received by local restaurants and hotels regarding the weekend
events. HMM has a practice of resident notification and advertising prior to events to inform the
general public. Regarding timeframes, HMM would like to hold their first event on the property next
year. They also commented that they realize there will be opposition in Park County regarding any
approvals, but they also feel there will be strong support. Discussions were also held regarding some
of the negative articles written about some of the events HMM has been involved with, which they
were hired to produce. Mr. Suffolk provided information about the circumstances of these
unfortunate events, their ongoing participation, and the charitable donations made to non-profits in
light of the events.
Tom Eisenman, Park County Administrator, also provided comments to the Board regarding
this lease and about the Special Use Permit process the lessee would need to go through prior to any
events. The lessee would be responsible for creating and implementing a site management plan,
which would consider access issues, environmental impacts, and structures developed on the
property, among other issues. Board of County Commissioner approval would be required throughout
the process. The time frame of any permits could be conditional and based on the intensity of use
on the parcel. Similar events recently held, with high participation on a single day like HMM has
proposed, have had negative impacts to the County, and these issues which would be taken under
consideration in review of this request.
Greg Ochis, Assistant Director, provided a overview of staff’s perspective and activities
regarding the existing agricultural lease held by the Stitt family, who has been on the property since
1953. The Stitt’s personal property by the state trust lands has been on the market for sale, and the
lessee provided a letter and information about their concerns regarding this proposed lease and
about the cancellation of their lease. Staff provided an opinion of the water rights as an
August 2014 Board Meeting & Workshop Minutes – page 8
“improvement” and disagreement with statements regarding the water being attached to the land.
Additional discussions were also held regarding access, approval processes and coordination with the
local jurisdictions, as well as the safeguards put into leases to protect the trust’s interest.
Brian Onorato, legal counsel representing the Stitt family, provided the Stitt’s perspective
and concerns about not being involved more with State Land Board staff regarding the HMM lease
proposal. Mr. Onorato also provided comments and feedback on the discussion points made earlier,
specifically related to HMM’s mission and operations. Discussions took place regarding the Stitt’s
inability to see their property, what the Stitt family wanted to sell, as well as value discussions about
their private landownership. While the family would like to keep the water with the land, they
believe they cannot maintain the water and would be forced into going to water court to change the
use of the water. Comments were provided by both Austine and Betty Stitt. They believe that their
land will be devalued if the HMM lease is approved and stated concerns about the process for
changing the use on the property. Ms. Austine Stitt said that they would like to be bought out, and
would like to have discussions about purchasing improvements as well as water rights. Additional
discussions were also held regarding the number of events by HMM, three annually, which would
occur on the state trust parcel. Clarifications were also provided that the national events would
help support the Colorado non-profit supporting education.
Following testimony from the Stitt family, the Board took a 30 minute recess/lunch break
before resuming deliberations of this agenda item.
Following the brief recess, the Board entered into deliberations on this item. Additional
questions were asked regarding the next steps, which staff clarified is approval to negotiate a lease
and not to approve a lease. Staff anticipated taking six months to negotiate a lease. Questions were
also asked of the Attorney General’s staff regarding termination of leases and the termination
clauses. The Board provided feedback that they felt the process to get to this point could have been
handled different, and that they greatly empathized with the current lessee’s opinions. While the
Board felt that better value and a better use could be realized with the HMM lease, they completely
understood the position taken by the Stitt’s, and expressed their desire for staff to have great
flexibility in working with the Stitt family.
Comments were also made regarding the Stitt’s water assets, which seems not to be a good
match for the State land Board, as they don’t see a strong reason to purchase the land and water.
While there may be support for a water or property acquisition, it would hinge on what made sense
for the trusts. The Commissioners were in general agreement with these comments. While the HMM
use is somewhat risky, it is a new venture for the State Land Board and also provide the opportunity
to get children into the area and on the land. While there are many unknowns, the Board felt there
would be strong protections in place.
Additional discussions were also held regarding requests of items to be added into the motion
and considerations for lease negotiations. The Board asked to see the lease for final approval, asked
that the proposed 30-year term be reduced, and asked for an assignment clause to be added to the
lease. Staff was also asked to give flexibility to the Stitt family regarding their date to vacate.
Suggestions were also made to staff to continue having discussions about potential acquisitions of the
Stitt interests.
MOTION:
After extensive time and consideration of the materials presented and testimony given at its regular
meeting of August 8, 2014, the Board determines that it is in the best interest of the Trusts to direct
staff to complete negotiations with Human Movement Management for a recreation lease (REC 70617)
on the McArthur Gulch state trust land, and cancel other existing surface leases on the property (AG
46097 – Stitt; OT 80133 – Colorado Parks and Wildlife).
August 2014 Board Meeting & Workshop Minutes – page 9
The Board requested an assignment clause be incorporated into the draft lease, and also requested
review of the lease for final approval. Staff was directed to provide the existing AG lessee, the Stitt
family, with flexibility regarding the date upon which they vacate the house on the State Trust
property.
The Board delegates authority to its Director to take appropriate action consistent with the Board’s
decision.
Voting Record: The motion was made by Commissioner Bledsoe; a second was given by
Commissioner Butterworth. The motion passed, 5-0.

THANK YOU for posting the issue HOWEVER, having endured the proposed development of
Lone Rock AND the Crow Hill Bible Church parcel in Bailey (Parkco) I am KEENLY AWARE of the tactics utilized to overcome the opposition.

Scheduling of date/times of meetings become an issue, ATTENDANCE to those meetings...to hear
the facts and provide input,become paramount. Most individuals are unable to arrange the time off or transportation is a concern/problem......it will be VERY interesting to hear the feedback from Creste
Butte "Whatever USA" now that the "project" has pulled out of that area and life can go back to "normal".

NIMBY's even in Fairplay. Sad to see how people are against any change or improvement.

And I predict Crested Butte will be back to normal next week.

Thanks for posting.

I can see the benefit to businesses in the area but what about the wildlife? Their areas get smaller and smaller.

We are passing along this information that we received today in case anyone is interested in attending.

Attention Concerned Citizens!!!

Please join us at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 23rd, at the Shawnee Community Center to discuss our mission to save McArthur Gulch.

We will provide background information, share what has been done so far and talk about next steps. Petitions will be available as well.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A little more additional information before tonight's meeting:

Human Movement Management slated to lease land for outdoor recreational facility
Plans include K-12 adventures, 5K runs and other special events
Walter L. Newton, Correspondent
Posted: Friday, September 5, 2014 1:57 pm

During the last quarter of 2013 the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners approached HMM to discuss a possible alliance and then it received a recreational application in early 2014 from HMM to lease the 480-acre McArthur Gulch parcel.

According to the final action document issued by the land board dated Aug. 8, HMM would lease the property for "weekday use by the organization to host outdoor education and skills building retreats for K-12 students" and "weekend adventure racing events with up to 10,000 participants/day."

HMM is in the process of setting up a not-for-profit organization to be called 105-West, which will operate the facility. In an interview with The Flume, Suffolk explained his vision for 105-West. "The concept is to build a completely sustainable village of tree forts, cabins, and tee-pees and to bring kids K-12 up to for a period of time, three hours, three weeks, or whatever it takes and expose them to the Rocky Mountains. Teach them about respect for each other, the land and themselves."

Suffolk responded to the communities' concerns about land usage and the environmental impacts. "We will not be hosting Zombie Runs on the property every weekend as many have already assumed. We're aware of the impact it would have on the community, both good and bad, and since we're members of the community, we will be doing what's best for the town and the county," he said.

Human Movement Management hopes to use Platte Canyon School District property
Email presented at Monday’s board meeting draws ire of board and superintendent
Douglas Stephens, Correspondent
Posted: Friday, September 12, 2014 3:46 pm | Updated: 3:51 pm, Fri Sep 12, 2014.

After a summer of large-scale music events held in Park County that put many residents on edge, a recently proposed event venue in the Shawnee area is garnering a lot of attention from residents, the county commissioners and now, the Platte Canyon Board of Education.

At the regular monthly meeting of the school board on Monday, Bailey resident Pam Jacobus presented the board with an email, written by John Gordon of Human Movement Management to Abraham Medina – recreation program manager with the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners.

In a section of the email that addressed parking issues, Gordon wrote, “On site parking will be available for up to 5,000 vehicles (roughly 37 acres, with 300 square feet per vehicle), but additional parking and shuttle service will be provided from local high school.”

Both the board and the superintendent were surprised by the email, as no communication to the board or district had been initiated by HMM prior the email, dated Monday Mar. 31, 2014 1:34 p.m., or subsequent to the email.

Posted on the HMM Facebook Page on August 28, in response to a comment from a community member about a public meeting:


HMM Website: www.humanmovement.me/
Twitter: twitter.com/humanmvmnt/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/human-movement-management
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HumanMovementMgmt