SUBJECT:
Title
Property Acquisition Strategy Update
Department
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Luke Bolinger, Director of Parks & Recreation
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
Fiscal
Policy
Recommendation
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In late 2025, staff developed the Town's Land Acquisition & Protection Strategy (LAPS) to create a more structured and objective approach for evaluating land acquisition and conservation opportunities. The strategy establishes a framework for identifying, ranking, and prioritizing properties for potential fee simple acquisition or conservation easements in support of the Town's parks, open space, natural areas, and trail system goals.
Historically, the Town has maintained a list of potential acquisition opportunities and periodically sent letters to property owners expressing interest in fee simple acquisition or conservation easements. While this approach has been successful in initiating conversations and identifying willing landowners, it treats all properties similarly regardless of their relative strategic value to the community. Given the finite nature of TNACC funding and staff resources, the Town is unlikely to acquire every property identified on the acquisition list. As a result, there is a need for a more deliberate process that helps identify and prioritize the properties that provide the greatest benefit toward achieving Erie’s long-term parks, open space, natural areas, and trail objectives.
The newly developed LAPS criteria establish a framework that evaluates properties against factors such as trail connectivity, ecological value, climate resilience, community identity, recreational opportunity, adjacency to existing open space, and other community priorities. This framework provides a more transparent and defensible basis for determining acquisition priorities while allowing the Town to evaluate both previously identified properties and new opportunities that emerge over time.
Proposed Prioritization Process
Staff is proposing the creation of a Land Acquisition & Protection Strategy (LAPS) Committee to annually review and rank acquisition opportunities using the adopted evaluation criteria.
The proposed committee would consist of:
• OSTAB Chair and Vice Chair (or designated OSTAB representatives)
• Town Council liaison to OSTAB
• Planning representative
• Parks Division Manager
• Natural Areas Superintendent
• Parks Planning & Development Division Manager
• Director of Parks & Recreation
The committee would meet annually to review all known acquisition opportunities and score each property using the adopted ranking criteria. The result would be a prioritized list of acquisition and conservation opportunities that would guide staff efforts for the upcoming year.
Following completion of the evaluation process, staff would present the results to OSTAB, identifying the highest-priority opportunities and recommended acquisition strategies. OSTAB would continue to provide policy guidance and recommendations regarding the use of Trails, Natural Areas, and Community Character (TNACC) funds.
Rationale
Land acquisition discussions present unique challenges because the disclosure of potential acquisition targets can affect negotiations, influence market expectations, and ultimately impact the Town's ability to secure property at a reasonable cost. At the same time, it is important that the Town maintain transparency regarding the overall acquisition process and priorities.
The proposed committee structure is intended to strike an appropriate balance between these interests. Rather than conducting multiple executive sessions throughout the year to evaluate individual properties, the committee would perform a comprehensive annual review using established criteria and provide a clear, documented prioritization framework. This approach allows the Town to maintain transparency regarding how acquisition decisions are made while limiting unnecessary discussion of specific properties that could compromise future negotiations.
The proposed process recognizes that not all acquisition opportunities provide the same level of community benefit. Rather than conducting broad outreach to every property owner on the acquisition list, the Town can focus its efforts on the opportunities that best align with adopted plans, fill critical gaps in the open space and trail system, protect significant natural or cultural resources, or address future recreation needs. By establishing a clear ranking system, staff and OSTAB can direct limited funding, staff capacity, and relationship-building efforts toward the properties that are most likely to advance the community's long-term vision.
In addition, the process would provide greater consistency in acquisition recommendations, ensure alignment with adopted planning documents, and allow staff and OSTAB to focus resources on the opportunities that best advance the community's long-term open space, natural area, and trail objectives. Focusing on the highest priority parcels allows staff to allocate resources appropriately and allows staff to pursue outside funding resources, such as Land and Water Conservation Fund or Great Outdoors Colorado dollars.
Requested Discussion
Staff is seeking OSTAB feedback regarding:
1. The proposed annual property evaluation and ranking process.
2. The composition of the proposed LAPS Committee.
priorities
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attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Town of Erie Land Acquisition Process and Criteria