Tahosa Valley Landowners Association
PO Box 1605
Estes Park, CO 80517
Minutes of Annual Meeting Saturday August 10, 2024
The Salvation Army's High Peak Camp Chapel
111 Salvation Ln, Estes Park CO 80517
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Check in and Registration
Coffee and donuts were available along with a table with information and maps for the Allenspark Fire Protection District (AFPD) Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Call to Order
Roger Sherman, President, called the meeting to order at 9:15 AM.
Introductions and Presentations
Rocky Mountain National Park – Superintendent Gary Ingram plus Q&A
Roger introduced Superintendent Gary Ingram and Fire Management Officer (FMO) Chad Lewis, both from Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). One of the big priorities for RMNP is fire and developing a “system” to prepare for fire. FMO Chad Lewis explained that they’re doing as much as they can on the east side of RMNP, including projects in Allenspark and at Lily Lake. Projects include cutting and making burn piles, with several thousand piles to be burned. Prescribed burns on Hwy 36 and at the RMNP entrance station are also planned for this fall, if possible. The goal is to use fire for fuel breaks and fire mitigation control. RMNP spends about $1M per year on contractors to safely and effectively increase the pace and scale of fire mitigation including prescribed fire. Another emphasis this year is quickly putting out fires within the park.
An engaging Question & Answer session followed remarks by Supt Ingram and FMO Lewis. Topics included:
Safety at Lily Lake. Engineers are looking at this, and more tickets are expected to be written this year. Engineers are also looking at the Beaver Meadows entrance and how that can be improved.
Congestion at the Lily Mountain trailhead.
Lack of volunteers at Lily Lake since implementation of the timed-entry system.
Safety on Old Fall River Road now that bicycle traffic is allowed on the road.
Supt Ingram stressed the importance of writing letters directly to him with specific concerns. Letters are the most effective way to get Supt Ingram’s attention rather than phone calls and emails. Because of the size of RMNP and its impact on surrounding communities, there is no way Supt Ingram can be aware of and understand all of the concerns unless people take the time to let him know. He assured the audience that he reads every letter and triages every concern.
The Salvation Army High Peak Camp – Director Dave Schwarm
Roger introduced Dave Schwarm, the new director of High Peak Camp. Director Schwarm lives at the camp with his wife, one child, and another on the way. He is interested in connecting with neighbors and the community. The mission of the summer camp is to serve more than 400 campers. Director Schwarm discussed recent projects including ponds, the new sewer treatment plant, and the trails project. He invited neighbors to feel welcome to walk on the trails. They are in the process of redefining the master plan for High Peak Camp including summer camp, hosting retreats and conferences, and being open year-round.
A concern was raised from the audience about noise from High Peak Camp. However, further discussion concluded that most of the camp noise is actually from Camp Timberline and Annunciation Heights. The Tahosa Valley Landowner Association (TVLA) works proactively with camps in the Tahosa Valley to help mitigate excessive noise.
Dark Skies – TVLA Co-Vice President Phil Gaughan
Phil Gaughan gave a presentation on Dark Skies and provided an educational handout on lighting. In order to be a Dark Skies community, groups must be affiliated with a government organization. Since the Tahosa Valley is not an official government organization, it cannot become an official Dark Skies community. Nevertheless, residents are encouraged to be aware of the negative effects of excess light on people and animals and to make choices to use shielded lighting whenever possible to preserve our nighttime skies. Suggestions for responsible outdoor lighting include:
Useful – Use light only if it is needed.
Targeted – Direct light so it falls only where it is needed.
Low Level – Light should be no brighter than necessary.
Controlled – Use light only when it is needed.
Warm-colored – Use warmer color lights where possible.
There are international, national, state, and county chapters of Dark Skies. For more information, please visit https://darkskycolorado.org or https://darksky.org.
Break
Roger announced a 20-minute break at 10:19 AM and invited everyone to help themselves to more coffee and donuts.
Call to Order
Roger called the meeting back to order at 10:40 AM and proceeded with the business meeting.
Introduction of Board Members present
Roger introduced the following Board Members who were in attendance:
Roger Sherman, President
Phil Stern, Co-Vice President
Phil Gaughan, Co-Vice President
Jonathan Dings, Treasurer
Eli Reese
Iain McWhinney
Jeff Van Devender
John Pickens
Joanne Brownhill
Remarks from the Chair
Roger shared remarks on the TVLA’s commitment to preserve and protect the Tahosa Valley. Some of the challenges the organization has faced throughout its 55+ years include pine and spruce beetles, floods and landslides, wind and fire, as well as urbanization and commercialization. Currently, fire seems to be our biggest priority. The Allenspark Fire Protection District is in the process of updating its Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Once complete, more grants will be available for forest restoration and fire mitigation. The goal is not to suppress fire but to make it manageable and survivable throughout the Tahosa Valley. Large-scale projects will require the cooperation of many individual landowners working together toward a common goal.
Treasurer’s Report
Jonathan Dings, Treasurer, reported that we have approximately $16,000 in investments and $6,000 in bank accounts. Our expenses are minimal and include a PO Box, Website, and the Annual Meeting. Balances have held pretty steady for the past few years.
Approval of 2023 Annual Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve minutes from the TVLA 2023 Annual Meeting. The minutes were approved as written.
Announcements
St Vrain Forest Health Partnership All Hands Meeting
The St Vrain Forest Health Partnership is holding a meeting at Highlands Camp in Allenspark on July 31st from 4:30-7:30 PM. There will be a forestry tour at 4:30 PM followed by the meeting at 5:30 PM. Additional information is available at:
https://watershed.center/event/st-vrain-forest-health-partnership-all-hands-meeting/
Bark on Log Homes
An attendee mentioned that they had a fire mitigation company come out and look at their cabin. The company told them that bark on logs is very dangerous.
Old Barbed Wire
Old barbed wire fences are a wildlife hazard and need to be removed. An attendee reported that they saw an elk that had gotten stuck in old barbed wire and died. A possible project for TVLA is to organize a volunteer group to remove old barbed wire.
Old Business
CWPP Progress – Joanne Brownhill
Roger and Joanne continue to work with the Allenspark Fire Protection District (AFPD) to update their Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Progress so far includes:
Held nine monthly meetings
Formed a Core Team and Extended Core Team
Received two grants to help fund the CWPP project
Selected Fire Adaptive Solutions from Boulder, CO, as the contractor to research and write the CWPP
Conducted the first of four district tours to identify risks and concerns throughout the AFPD
To stay informed about the AFPD and the CWPP, sign up for emergency notifications and a monthly newsletter at: https://www.allensparkfire.com/contact-us/community-outreach
For more information on CWPPs in Colorado, see:
https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/community-wildfire-protection-plans/
Other Priorities
Insurance
Insurance companies are conducting on-site visits and sending out letters with lists of items to address in order to renew policies. Some residents are having trouble getting insurance. Travelers Insurance left Estes Park and is now down in Broomfield.
Tahosa Coffee Shop
Concerns were raised that Tahosa Coffee Shop is not a legal business. A permit was issued for construction of the coffee shop, but it was meant to be just for on-site usage such as weddings, etc. The coffee shop was not to be open to the public, and food was not to be sold to the general public. Additionally, the signage on Hwy 7 is illegal. In an effort to uphold our mission to protect and preserve the Tahosa Valley, TVLA is working with Boulder County to investigate this further.
Dangerous Distractions at Camps
About 20 teenage girls were seen by Hwy 7 at Annunciation Heights. They were yelling and screaming and presented a very dangerous and distracting situation. When such situations occur, consider pulling into the camp and talking with leadership. They may not be aware what is going on.
Fire Mitigation Project
Jon Zumwinkle shared background and plans for the Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Restoration project he is working on with The Watershed Center. Jon has 40 acres near Meeker Park Lodge. The goals of the project are to reduce risk of severe fire, protect structures, and promote growth of aspen and ponderosa. They are removing understory vegetation as well as lodgepole pines. The objective is to create a firebreak while preserving habitat for various wildlife and birds. This is a good example of a landscape level approach that positively impacts our valley.
For information about Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Restoration projects and grants for Larimer and Boulder Counties, see list of Resources at the end of this document.
New Business
Road Association and Other Valley Connections
Road Associations are a good way to organize larger scale forest restoration and wildfire mitigation projects. These types of projects require cooperation from many different homeowners, including absentee owners, to be able to make significant impact beyond what individuals can do with defensible space around their own cabins and houses. The more we can work together and make better connections between neighbors and road associations, the better results we can expect.
Membership Initiative
Iain McWhinney is working on membership and mailing lists. He may be sending reminders for paying dues. Dues may be paid by check or by Venmo @TVLADUES. IMPORTANT! Please include property address when paying by Venmo so payments can be tracked.
Membership forms were available at the Annual Meeting and can be accessed on the TVLA Website at: https://www.tahosavalleylandowners.org/s/24-25-Dues-Notice.pdf.
Renewing members only need to fill out changes on the membership form. This makes it easier to identify what changes need to be made in the TVLA membership files.
Call for New Board Members, especially Boulder County
TVLA is always looking for more people to serve on the Board, especially from Boulder County. Roger encouraged anyone interested in becoming a Board Member to see any Board member. Roger also is looking for someone to take over as President. Roger has been President for 14 years, and Roger’s father was President before him.
Elections
Roger solicited nominations to serve as Board Members. None were received. The current Board was re-elected.
Comments for the Good of the Order
None reported.
Adjourn
Roger asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.
Resources for Grant Funding and Wildfire Mitigation Projects
It can be challenging to know where to start to secure funding and get expert help planning and implementing Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Restoration projects. Some agencies are limited to helping residents within their own county, while others are not. Below are resources listed by county that are good starting points. Feel free to contact these resources regarding what is available for your particular property and situation.
Larimer County:
Larimer Conservation District
www.larimercd.org
Dylan Alsbach, Operations Director
dylan@larimercd.org
970.218.0286
2150 Centre Ave A, Ste 116, Fort Collins CO 80526
Online Bio: https://www.larimercd.org/staff-board
Boulder County:
Longmont and Boulder Valley Conservation Districts
https://bouldervalley-longmontcd.colorado.gov/
Rob Walker, District Director
rob.walker@bvlcd.com
Office: (720) 378-5521
Mobile: (720) 815-8842
9595 Nelson Road, Suite D, Longmont CO 80501 \
Boulder County Wildfire Partners
https://wildfirepartners.org
info@wildfirepartners.org
303-441-1420
P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306
Both Larimer and Boulder Counties:
The Watershed Center
www.watershed.center
Chiara Forrester, Forest Program Director
cforrester@watershed.center
720.745.3160
Mailing Address: PO Box 1074, Niwot CO 80544-1074
Physical Address: (meetings by appointment only)
1225 Ken Pratt Blvd, Suite 232, Longmont CO 80501
Online Bio: https://watershed.center/about/staff/chiara-forrester/
Colorado State Forest Service
Boulder Field Office
https://csfs.colostate.edu/boulder/
Ben Pfohl, Supervisory Forester
Ben.pfohl@colostate.edu
303-909-6506
Mailing Address: 5625 Ute Highway, Longmont CO 80503