Note: This issue is changing very quickly. We will post new information as soon as it is available. The other pages on this site were first created in early 2011 and serve as a record of the process that has led to this point in the negotiations. However, some information may be dated or may not reflect the latest developments. |
The latest news from Golden about the Jefferson Parkway issue
February 22, 2012 –
Here’s a brief update from the City of Golden on the proposed Jefferson Parkway toll road and related issues.
As we reported earlier, Golden filed a lawsuit in January to halt the transfer by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of land in the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge for the construction of the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
Golden’s lawsuit followed a separate complaint filed by the Town of Superior. More recently, two environmental groups — WildEarth Guardians and Rocky Mountain Wild — filed their own lawsuit against the Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming the Fish and Wildlife Service violated federal environmental laws when it agreed to transfer the land for the Jefferson Parkway.
We expect all three lawsuits will be consolidated in the coming weeks, which is a more efficient way for the U.S. District Court to address the issues raised.
Meanwhile the Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to delay the land transfer until Sept. 1 or until the court rules on these issues.
As you may recall, Golden had offered its own proposal for the Rocky Flats land, focusing on bike and pedestrian paths instead of a toll road. While Golden argued that its proposal would better protect the Rocky Flats refuge and serve the region’s transportation needs, the Fish and Wildlife Service rejected it in favor of the Jefferson Parkway authority’s offer for the tract
So what does all this mean?
It means Golden is in good company in opposing this land transfer, as well as the overall Jefferson Parkway proposal.
It also means that these other groups have joined a growing chorus highlighting the hazards of the toll road, including the permanent damage that it would do to precious open space and natural resources.
We’ll continue to update Golden citizens as the situation develops.
Jan. 13, 2012 – As previously reported, Golden filed a lawsuit earlier this month in U.S. District court to halt the transfer by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of land in the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge for the construction of the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
While Golden believes that the lawsuit is one tool to promote appropriate regional transportation solutions, Golden said at the time that it will continue to work constructively to identify collaborative solutions to the city and region’s transportation challenges.
Since that time, the Fish and Wildlife Service committed in court filings that it will not provide the land for the Jefferson Parkway before Sept. 1 or until the court rules on the merits of a related lawsuit filed by the Town of Superior. The Fish and Wildlife Service committed to this after the Town of Superior sought an injunction to freeze the land transfer while the court considered the case.
That’s a positive development for the city because it gives the court time to carefully consider this lawsuit and Golden time to continue to engage the community in important conversations on the city’s economic future and transportation needs. Under this new schedule, the parties will likely make arguments to the court for the court’s consideration during the summer.
We’ll keep you posted as we firm up the plans for those community conversations.
Golden challenges decision to provide federal refuge land for Jefferson Parkway
Jan. 5, 2012 – The City of Golden on Jan. 5, 2012, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to halt the transfer of federal land for the construction of the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
Golden’s lawsuit maintains that the Fish and Wildlife Service violated environmental and other laws when it agreed to convey a strip of land in the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge to the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority. Among other things, the lawsuit alleges that the Fish and Wildlife Service (1) failed to conduct adequate environmental analysis of the effects of the property conveyance and the Jefferson Parkway, (2) unlawfully rejected Golden’s separate application for the strip of land, and (3) failed to ensure that environmental effects on the Refuge were minimized.
Golden’s suit will likely be combined with another lawsuit filed earlier by the Town of Superior. Superior’s lawsuit focuses on other violations but also seeks to prevent the transfer of the land. Golden will provide additional updates on the schedule and process for this matter as they become available.
Golden had offered its own proposal for the Rocky Flats land, focusing on bike and pedestrian paths instead of a toll road. While Golden argued that its proposal would better protect the Rocky Flats refuge and serve the region’s transportation needs, the Fish and Wildlife Service rejected it in favor of the Jefferson Parkway authority’s offer for the tract.
As Golden reported late last month, negotiations with Jefferson County, Arvada, the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) ended without an agreement on transportation issues related to the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
Golden believes that the discussions were constructive and that significant progress was made towards better regional cooperation on transportation issues. Golden remains appreciative of the leadership shown by Gov. John Hickenlooper and CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt in convening the discussions and highlighting the need for regional collaboration.
While a lawsuit is one tool to promote appropriate regional transportation solutions, it is not the only one. Golden will continue to work constructively to identify collaborative solutions to the city and region’s transportation challenges. The feedback of Golden’s citizens will remain critical in the coming months as the city maps a course forward on these issues.
After negotiations end without resolution, Golden plans for future transportation needs
Dec. 28, 2011 — As we reported on Dec. 24, negotiations between Golden, Jefferson County, Arvada, the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) ended without an agreement on transportation issues related to the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
We greatly appreciate the leadership of Governor John Hickenlooper and CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt, who initiated and energetically supported the negotiations. They attempted to help our region move past two decades of debate to find common ground. We participated in the negotiations in the same spirit.
A good agreement would have benefited Golden and the surrounding region. It would have ended Golden’s long-running dispute with Arvada and Jefferson County, allowing us to turn the page on a sometimes acrimonious past and collaborate productively on these and other issues facing our region. It also would have allowed us to bring to a close a long and expensive beltway battle while providing funding for transportation improvements that are needed within our city.
But, while we set our sights on an agreement, we never took our eyes off our community’s bottom line. For us, the ultimate test for an agreement was whether it protected Golden from tolling or lane widening being forced through town – in other words, the beltway bisecting Golden that we have consistently opposed. And, despite hundreds of hours spent on constructive negotiations, the balance of provisions was not protective enough to meet the City’s needs.
We are certainly disappointed that we were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement. But settling for an agreement that lacked sufficient protections for Golden residents would have been the only failure from which our community couldn’t recover. The entire region would benefit from a good agreement but we won’t settle for a bad one. When it comes to productive discussions with the state and our regional neighbors on these important issues, our door will remain open.
We’ve attempted to keep Golden residents apprised of the very latest developments on this issue, communicating candidly to the extent allowed by the ground rules of the negotiations. Moving forward, the 2012 City Council will engage the community in exploring updating the Golden Plan and setting strong priorities for traffic mitigations and improvements in the near future and in the long term. We remain committed to a spirit of openness. We appreciate and encourage the willingness of Golden residents to be fully engaged in this process.
Important update on negotiations
Dec. 24, 2011 — Over the past number of months Jefferson County, Golden, Arvada, Broomfield and CDOT have attempted to negotiate the terms of an agreement to address future traffic impacts on state highways within the City of Golden, in the context of the Jefferson Parkway. The Parties strived to reach agreement on specific terms but were unable to do so. While unsuccessful in the short term, the Parties have outlined a roadmap that may be useful in the future.
The City of Golden will provide more information in the coming days.
Golden continues negotiations on issues related to proposed Jefferson Parkway
Dec. 21, 2011 – Golden representatives will continue to negotiate with officials from Arvada, Jefferson County, the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on issues related to the proposed Jefferson Parkway and related transportation improvements.
There is no meeting scheduled for this Thursday and there is no set timeline for making a decision at this point. The City of Golden is still negotiating measures to ensure that Golden is protected well into the future.
The negotiations were convened earlier this year by Governor John Hickenlooper and CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt in an effort to resolve a long-running conflict between neighboring jurisdictions.
“The negotiations are taking longer than we originally anticipated but it would be a mistake to read anything into that,” said Golden Mayor Jacob Smith. “Golden continues to participate in a spirit of good faith while working to ensure that adequate protections for Golden citizens exist in any final agreement.”
“Ultimately, any agreement would have to be approved by City Council and we’ll provide Golden citizens with as much notice as possible if a Council vote is scheduled,” Smith added. “The Council would be voting on a legal document that reflects the agreement and we would distribute any such document publicly before taking a City Council vote.”
More details will be posted to CityofGolden.net and GetTheFactsGolden.org as they become available. Golden citizens who aren’t currently receiving emails with the latest information but want to receive those updates should fill out the form on the homepage at GetTheFactsGolden.org.
Golden City Council to meet Thursday, Dec. 15 on proposed Jefferson Parkway issue but vote on proposed agreement has been postponed
Dec. 13, 2011 — The Golden City Council’s special meeting on the Jefferson Parkway issue will take as place as previously announced this Thursday (Dec. 15) but the Council will not vote on the proposed agreement with Arvada, Jefferson County, the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Although the elements of the agreement have been outlined (see latest summary below or attached) the final language of a legal pact is still being drafted by attorneys representing the various entities.
As a result, the City Council’s Thursday meeting will become a community briefing and update on the issue. The city will discuss the status of the agreement and will take public comment on it. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 911 10th Street in Golden.
“Because the language of the proposed agreement hasn’t been finalized, we’ll postpone a vote until that document is available for careful review by Golden citizens and the City Council,” said Golden Mayor Jacob Smith. “But we encourage citizens who want to learn more about this or want to share their views to attend Thursday’s meeting.”
The City will announce the date for the City Council vote on the agreement as soon as that’s scheduled. There will be public comment at that meeting as well. The very latest information will be posted when it becomes available at CityofGolden.net and GetTheFactsGolden.org. Citizens who want to receive updates on this issue by email should fill out the form at GetTheFactsGolden.org.
Transportation and Mitigation Agreement |
December 12, 2011In an effort to collaboratively address regional transportation and mitigation needs representatives of the City of Golden, the City of Arvada, Jefferson County, Jefferson Public Parkway Highway Authority (JPPHA), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), are recommending to their governing bodies a proposed agreement that:
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Golden City Council to consider Jefferson Parkway agreement at special meeting on Dec. 15
Agreement would provide $57 million for mitigation and transportation improvements for Golden
Dec. 9, 2011 — Negotiations between the City of Golden, Arvada, Jefferson County, the Jefferson Public Parkway Highway Authority, Broomfield, and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) have resulted in the terms of a proposed agreement that will be considered by the Golden City Council at a special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15. The negotiations were convened earlier this year by Governor John Hickenlooper and CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt in an effort to resolve a long-running conflict between neighboring jurisdictions.
Golden Mayor Jacob Smith and City Manager Mike Bestor, who represented the City over months of negotiations, are recommending that City Council approve the agreement assuming the final details are consistent with our expectations.
The City Council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 911 10th Street, Golden. City Council encourages public testimony and comment, in person or in writing, prior to the Council vote. Comments can be emailed to citycouncil@cityofgolden.net.
Under the agreement, construction on the proposed Jefferson Parkway would be permitted only after $57 million is secured to address traffic mitigation in Golden. In exchange for this commitment, Golden would agree to stop opposing the Jefferson Parkway and remove its competing application for right-of-way at the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge.
More details will be posted to CityofGolden.net and GetTheFactsGolden.org as they become available before the City Council meeting. Golden citizens who want to receive emails with the latest information in the coming days should fill out the form on the homepage at GetTheFactsGolden.org.
In February, the Golden City Council unanimously approved a motion to continue negotiations over the Jefferson Parkway. At that vote, the City Council considered comments from three hours of public testimony, an earlier series of four community meetings attended by a total of 470 people, and submitted through GetTheFactsGolden.org. The comments from the community meetings and GetTheFactsGolden.org will be provided to the City Council as part of their packets for the Dec. 15 meeting.
The February motion supported continuing negotiations towards a binding Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). It directed city staff to “to seek an enhanced IGA that will provide greater certainty of funding for the priority elements of the Muller Plan; addresses noise and other pollution mitigation and monitoring for northern neighborhoods, including Mitchell Elementary; addresses improvements to Highway 93 north of Golden; addresses improvement of other arterials outside the city limits to disburse traffic; includes provisions for no non-compete agreements that will impact travel on other alternative roadways that serve the area; requires CDOT be a part of the process and agreement; addresses Rocky Flats contamination issues, particularly during construction if it occurs; and addresses timing of key roadway improvements in Golden and sequencing of those improvements before parkway construction begins.”
“This is a good agreement to fund the transportation improvements and mitigation Golden needs to protect the interests of Golden citizens. We’re recommending that the City Council approve it,” said Golden City Manager Mike Bestor.
“We had an extensive community outreach effort, we listened carefully, and we adopted a negotiating position reflecting what we heard,” he added. “Now we have an agreement that does what the community and City Council asked for.”
“We appreciate the leadership of Gov. John Hickenlooper and CDOT Executive Director Don Hunt, who helped bring the different parties to the table work constructively towards an agreement,” said Golden Mayor Jacob Smith. “However, it’s not final until we work out the remaining details and unless it’s endorsed by the Golden City Council and the other entities who participated in the negotiations. The dynamics of this issue require that the Golden City Council consider the agreement within a very short timetable. We’re committed to ensuring that Golden citizens receive additional details as soon as they’re available.”
* Note: This issue is changing very quickly. We will post all new information as soon as it is available. The other pages on this site can be used as a reference to the process we’ve gone through to get to where we are today.
Transportation and Mitigation Agreement |
December 8, 2011In an effort to collaboratively address regional transportation and mitigation needs, representatives of City of Golden, Jefferson County, City of Arvada, Jefferson Public Parkway Highway Authority (JPPHA) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), are recommending to their governing bodies a proposed agreement that:
In summary, the Jefferson Parkway will be permitted to ‘move dirt’ only after the $57M for has been secured/committed for the mitigation projects in Golden; the Jefferson Parkway will not financially support any of Golden’s projects unless and until they have a concession for the project. |
Citizens Concerned About Proposed Jefferson Parkway Toll Road Can Make Their Voices Heard
October 10, 2011
Public is encouraged to speak out at a meeting on Oct. 13, submit written comments by Oct. 31.
The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Act, enacted by Congress in 2001, requires that a corridor of land up to 300 feet wide along Indiana Street be made available for transportation improvements.
The City of Golden has proposed using this corridor of land adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge for a bike route. The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority (JPPHA) has proposed a major new toll road and bike route for the same piece of land, packaging it as part of a land exchange.
The choice between the two will be a pivotal decision that will impact the entire Northwest metro region, including Boulder and Jefferson counties.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appears to be laying the groundwork to support the toll highway option, but there may still be an opportunity to impact that decision.
We believe a balanced and comprehensive review will demonstrate that Golden’s proposal is the better solution that will be more compatible with the region’s natural resources and transportation system.
The construction of the Jefferson Parkway, absent the mitigation proposed by Golden, would seriously degrade both the environment and quality of life in Jefferson County.
It’s important that Golden residents and others concerned about the potential negative impacts of the proposed Jefferson Parkway toll road make their voices heard in this process.
If you live in Golden or have opinions about whether this portion of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge should be turned into a toll highway or a bikeway, please attend an upcoming public meeting and submit written comments.
We encourage citizens to comment as part of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Assessment process. If possible, email comments and attend the meeting.
• Email comments to RockyFlatsEA@fws.gov by Oct. 31.
• Attend the public meeting on Oct. 13 at the Westminster City Park Recreation Center.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the meeting begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m. The Westminster City Park Recreation Center is located at 10455 Sheridan Blvd. in Westminster. The meeting will consist of a presentation by Rocky Flats Refuge staff, who will provide an overview of the Environmental Assessment, followed by a period during which the public can provide comments.
• If you don’t use email, please send a letter with your comments before Oct. 31 to:
Mike Dixon, Ph.D.
Division of Refuge Planning
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486, DFC
Denver, CO 80225
and
Bruce Hastings, Ph.D.
Deputy Refuge Manager
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Road
Building 129
Commerce City, CO 80022
Here are some key points that you may want to include in your comments:
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should not consider the effects of the land exchange proposed by the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority without considering the full implications of building the Jefferson Parkway toll road.
• The proposed Jefferson Parkway toll road would create sprawl and worsen traffic, both of which would negatively impact the region.
• The proposed multi-lane toll road would have a much bigger and much more negative impact on the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge than the bike route proposed by Golden.
• The Fish and Wildlife Service should not rely on the 2004 federal Rocky Flats Environmental Impact Statement, which is a dated document that does not reflect the current Jefferson Parkway toll road plan. That document did not consider the broader regional effects of the toll road, including noise, traffic and sprawl.
• The Jefferson Parkway issue is so integral to the future of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge that the Fish and Wildlife Service should consider it as part of its Environmental Assessment.
Citizen Participation Encouraged Over U.S. Fish and Wildlife Study
September 28, 2011
We have been informed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that they will publish their Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Rocky Flats right-of-way issue before the close-of-business this Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.
It will be published on the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge web site: http://www.fws.gov/rockyflats/
They will also post notice of a public meeting to be held:
Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:30 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Westminster City Park Recreation Center
10455 Sheridan Blvd
Westminster, CO
The City of Golden encourages residents to read the study and participate in the public meeting. There will also be an opportunity to submit written comments until Oct. 30. FWS will then issue their final environmental assessment some time in early December.
Last Chance to Comment on Refuge Land Exchange
July 28, 2011
The City of Golden has submitted a bid to purchase a corridor of land, presently owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge, along Indiana Avenue. The City has also offered to purchase other environmentally sensitive lands and do a land exchange with the Refuge. If Golden is successful, the City will create a pedestrian and bicycle path on the corridor just west of Indiana Street.
However, Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge is seriously considering a bid from the Jefferson Parkway Authority, which plans to build a toll road along the corridor.
If accepted, Golden’s proposal would have many benefits for Golden and the region as a whole, including:
• Stopping the toll road from being built on what is now conservation land
• Potentially stopping or seriously delaying the entire toll road/beltway concept
• Protecting important wildlife habitat
• Preventing the sprawl, noise and pollution that would come with the proposed highway
• Providing alternate transportation now sorely lacking in this region
• Provide healthy recreational opportunities to Jefferson County residents
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who owns the land, held a public open house on July 20 to “help determine the appropriate level of environmental review” and asked for public comment. (To read the documents related to Golden’s application, visit: http://www.cityofgolden.net/News.asp?NewsID=867)
It is NOT too late to comment. You have one more day to get your voice heard. Please email or write a letter by Friday, July 29, which is when public comment closes. In your letters, please ask that a full environmental impact study be done on any proposals and that all future land transfer agreements cause minimal environmental harm and instead augment preservation efforts as well as benefit human health. Additionally, request that the full regional effects of a toll road on sprawl and on Golden be considered and compared to the effects of a bikeway. Specifically ask that any land exchanges take place only if a multi-lane toll road will not be built on transferred land.
In this case, a full environmental review would be extremely beneficial to Golden’s proposal, since a pedestrian and bicycle path would have very little negative environmental impact compared to a 6-lane toll road. Likewise, the “expansion” of the refuge should not come at the expense of wildlife habitats, as it will with a toll road.
1. Send an email to both of the following:
Mike Dixon: RockyFlatsEA@fws.gov
Bruce Hastings, Deputy Refuge Manager: RockyFlatsEA@fws.gov
2. Send a letter to both of the following:
Mike Dixon
Division of Refuge Planning
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486, DFC
Denver, CO 80225
AND
Bruce Hastings, Deputy Refuge Manager
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Road
Building 129
Commerce City, CO 80022
The Latest: Feds announce plans for environmental assessment of Rocky Flats proposals
June 10, 2011
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service informed the City of Golden on June 9, 2011 that it will conduct an environmental assessment of competing proposals from Golden and the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority (JPPHA) to purchase a transportation right of way from the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
Golden expects the environmental assessment, which will compare the environment impacts of the two proposals, to take several months. The Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Interior, controls the Rocky Flats property.
“This is encouraging news which demonstrates that the Fish and Wildlife Service is seriously evaluating both proposals, as we expected it would,” said Golden City Manager Mike Bestor. “We believe our proposal has an excellent chance of being selected because it is much more respectful of the natural resources in the Rocky Flats area compared to the multi-lane toll road proposed by the JPPHA.”
Golden offered $3 million for a 2.76-mile stretch of right way along Indiana Street that is currently part of the Rocky Flats refuge. The City’s offer, which is $200,000 more than the JPPHA proposed for the same property, will allow Golden to create what it will call the Jefferson Bikeway, providing bicycle and pedestrian trails that will connect with other regional trails.
The law creating the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge contemplated that any local government could apply for the use of an up to a 300-foot right of way for transportation uses, so long as the use minimized effects on the refuge.
Golden believes its bike and pedestrian trail would be much less impactful than a toll road, providing residents throughout the region better transportation options without disrupting the spectacular views of the mountain backdrop and unique grasslands throughout the area. It would also minimize effects on threatened species and rare habitat who call the area home, and it would minimize sprawl. Preserving natural resources was the main reason for the refuge’s creation.
Golden’s plan also will allow for much-needed roadway improvements on the Indiana Street corridor.
The Fish and Wildlife Service’s environmental review process will likely provide opportunities for public comment. Golden will also alert citizens and the city’s neighbors at key junctures in the process when they will be able make their voices heard.
“The JPPHA has pushed its toll road plan with the attitude that it is inevitable and communities like Golden that have legitimate concerns should just roll over or get out of the way. We appreciate that the Fish and Wildlife Service is taking a thoughtful and measured approach to this issue that considers the importance of our region’s precious natural resources,” Bestor added.
The Latest: Golden Applies for Rocky Flats Right of Way: City Plans Bike and Walking Trails, Improvements to Existing Roads
May 20, 2011
The City of Golden today (May 20) officially offered to acquire a 2.76-mile stretch of right way along Indiana Street that is currently part of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The City’s offer will allow it to create what it will call the Jefferson Bikeway, as well as to provide needed roadway improvements on the Indiana Street corridor and protect the City and region from the impacts of unmitigated toll road construction.
Golden has been negotiating with the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority (JPPHA) to seek mitigation for the effects of the Jefferson Parkway impacts in exchange for dropping City opposition to the project. However, JPPHA has refused to provide any mitigation for effects on Golden and has identified no mitigation for the proposed toll road’s impacts to the Refuge.
According to Golden Mayor Jacob Smith, “It’s not clear that JPPHA has been negotiating in good faith. They are proposing a large, expensive project with a lot of impacts. Golden needs reasonable mitigation from those impacts, which JPPHA has so far been unwilling to agree to.”
Golden City Manager Mike Bestor added, “Golden undertook a significant public outreach program to solicit the input of Jefferson County residents about what guarantees Golden would need to move to a neutral position on the proposed toll road. Now, the JPPHA has indicated that it will not even consider funding to mitigate the impact of the Jefferson Parkway on Golden as part of the overall Jefferson Parkway project– a point which Golden has always included as a prerequisite for any agreement. We have concluded that Golden and the region will be better served by a forward looking use of the Refuge property rather than a development road that creates negative impacts along the Front Range.”
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior, which controls the property, Mr. Bestor notes that Golden’s offer “will minimize impacts on the management of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.” In contrast to the JPPHA proposal for a toll road, Golden is proposing to use the right of way for bicycle and walking paths to connect large gaps in the regional trail system. The law creating the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge contemplated that any local government could apply for the use of an up to 300 foot right-of-way for transportation uses, so long as the use minimized effects on the Refuge. A bike and pedestrian trail would not only connect to other regional trails, it would be much less impactful than a toll road. The Jefferson Bikeway would give residents throughout the region better transportation options without disrupting the spectacular views of the mountain backdrop and unique grasslands. It would also minimize effects on threatened species and rare habitat who call the area home, and it would minimize sprawl. Preserving natural resources was the main reason for the Refuge’s creation.
The City is offering $3 million for the right-of-way, $200,000 more than the JPPHA’s offer. “This is a significant amount of money but the City Council concluded that it is worth it to help ensure that Golden can control its destiny while enhancing the region that surrounds us,” Bestor said.
Mayor Smith added: “$3 million is a fraction of the amount of money needed to mitigate the effects of the toll road on Golden. The amount of money needed to keep Golden livable, in turn, is a fraction of the amount needed to build the toll road. Golden is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for those in Golden and all Front Range residents.”
The Latest: Golden to U.S. Interior Secretary: Don’t Transfer Rocky Flats Land to Jefferson Parkway While Negotiations are Pending
March 3, 2011
At its meeting tonight, the Golden City Council will consider urging U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to hold off on selling a Rocky Flats parcel needed as right of way (ROW) for the proposed Jefferson Parkway as long as negotiations continue between Golden and backers of the toll road plan.
The request, to be included in a letter to the Department of the Interior (DOI) from Golden Mayor Jacob Smith, echoes a similar appeal from the City of Boulder and Boulder County, who also are negotiating with Jefferson Parkway proponents.
The Golden City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to continue working towards a possible agreement around the toll road, but not to give up the City’s right to sue to stop the Jefferson Parkway unless some very specific requirements are met to protect Golden from future traffic and environmental impacts.
The City of Boulder and Boulder County’s negotiations with Jefferson Parkway focus on a different issue – the preservation of a key open-space parcel.
The Golden City decision was made after Golden officials heard from hundreds of residents at a series of four public informational meetings and at the Feb. 24 City Council session.
“In order for these negotiations to succeed, the City of Golden continues its request, and joins the requests of the City of Boulder and Boulder County, that DOI defer final action on the Rocky Flats ROW so long as real progress is being made towards settlement,” Golden’s draft letter states.
The letter goes on to say, “Conveyance of the ROW prior to finalization of intergovernmental agreements would threaten the ability of the parties to reach agreement, because the conveyance would trigger the need for local communities to take legal actions to protect their interests.”
The Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority has indicated that it is prepared to pay $2.8 million for a 300-foot right of way along the eastern side of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. “The City Council has directed the city to keep negotiating in good faith but also to preserve all our options until there’s an enforceable agreement that meets Golden’s transportation needs,” said Golden City Manager Mike Bestor. “This letter is consistent with that position, which reflects much of the input we received from Golden citizens.”
The Latest: Council Votes to Continue Negotiations over Jefferson Parkway
Feb. 25, 2011
The Golden City Council voted unanimously last night (Thursday, Feb. 24) to continue working on a possible agreement with Jefferson County regarding the proposed Jefferson Parkway.
However, the City Council determined that Golden will not drop its opposition to the Jefferson Parkway or give up its right to sue to stop it unless some very specific requirements are met.
This decision was made after public comment that lasted three hours in an overflowing Council Chambers.
Golden residents and business owners and many citizens from areas outside of Golden took sides in a debate about whether to continue negotiations or just go ahead and file a lawsuit to stop the Jefferson Parkway. Despite the passionate feelings on both sides of the issue, the crowd was calm, respectful, courteous and even funny at times. “It is a testament to the residents of Golden that they can have differing opinions and still portray a unified community willing to do what it takes to protect Golden,” said Golden Mayor Jacob Smith.
The City also recently held a series of four community meetings on this topic and created a website (www.GetTheFactsGolden.org) specifically addressing this issue. 470 people attended the community meetings and hundreds submitted written comments at the meetings and through email, while the website registered nearly one-thousand unique visitors.
At about 11 p.m., the Golden City Council approved a motion to continue negotiations towards a binding Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Jefferson County, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Broomfield, Arvada and the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority (JPPHA) relating to the Jefferson Parkway.
The motion directed City staff “to seek an enhanced IGA that will provide greater certainty of funding for the priority elements of the Muller Plan; addresses noise and other pollution mitigation and monitoring for northern neighborhoods, including Mitchell Elementary; addresses improvements to Highway 93 north of Golden; addresses improvement of other arterials outside the city limits to disburse traffic; includes provisions for no non-compete agreements that will impact travel on other alternative roadways that serve the area; requires CDOT be a part of the process and agreement; addresses Rocky Flats contamination issues, particularly during construction if it occurs; and addresses timing of key roadway improvements in Golden and sequencing of those improvements before parkway construction begins. City Council further directs the City Manager to work with the city’s attorneys to develop options for the City to challenge the Jefferson Parkway approvals in court in the event that negotiations do not timely and adequately progress in a fashion that protects the City’s position. The City Manager and the City’s attorneys shall keep the City Council appraised of litigation options and possible deadlines. The motion does not preclude the use of other strategies by the City to advance the City’s position regarding the Jefferson Parkway.”
