Your participation in the following upcoming events is vital in securing & maintaining equestrian access to trails in Boulder County.

Please read the letters and invitations below and join in our efforts to maintain our equestrian life style!

Colorado's New License Plate

Wednesday, May 14 was an historic day for the 250,000 horses in Colorado when Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed SB 178 into law, creating a special license plate honoring the contributions the horse industry makes to the economy and culture of the Centennial state.

Now, this western icon will be have a presence on a purely modern conveyance, with a special vehicle license plate featuring the image of a horse in motion and the words, “Support the Horse.”

Production of plates will begin this summer and the plates will be available for purchase starting January 1, 2009. For more information about how to buy “Support the Horse” license plates or about the Colorado Horse Development Authority, visit www.chda.org.

Colorado's Poisonous Menace: 

Do You Know What Your Horse is Eating?

New Edition of the "Weed Brochure" is available now. 

Identify Colorado's six worst poisonous weeds for horses

Three major steps for preventing equine weed poisoning

Pasture management for horses on small acreages

   To order copies, please contact BCHA at

                   info@boulderhorse.org

Copies are $ .50 each plus shipping & handling

Sample Entries:

     Artemisia frigida                       Curly Cup Gumweed                    Houndstongue

  Leafy Spurge                                Oxytropis Lamberti                       Yellow Starthistle

IBM Connector Trail Open House

You are invited to an open house for feedback on the city of Boulder's draft IBM Trail Connector Community Environmental Assessment Process (CEAP) report for the IBM Trail Connector.  The open house will be held on:
·        Monday, May 5th, from 4 - 7  p.m. (drop in when you can)
·        United Methodist Church, 7405 Lookout Road (75th and Lookout)

The IBM Trail Connector is a proposed trail connection between the Cottontail Trail in Gunbarrel and the Boulder Reservoir. The general plan is to construct a new trail under the Diagonal Highway northeast of 63rd Street.

Members of the public are invited to discuss this project report with city and county staff and provide feedback. CEAP’s are used by the city of Boulder to involve the public, document issues, and analyze project alternatives.

The draft CEAP report is available online at the city's website at www.osmp.org located under the public meetings link.
 
The open house is hosted by the city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks and Boulder County Transportation.

For questions please contact 303-441-3440.

Thank You,
Michele Gonzales
City of Boulder
Open Space & Mountain Parks
720-564-2008

Proposed Mountain Bike Trail from Eldorado Canyon to Walker Ranch

Eldorado Canyon State Park in conjunction with Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA) is currently exploring the possibility of a mountain bike trail that would connect Eldorado Canyon with the Walker Ranch trail. 

Yes, you read that correctly -- a "mountain bike trail" -- not necessarily a shared-use trail, or a multiple-use trail, but possibly a mountain bike ONLY trail.  The Action Committee for Eldorado (ACE) is gathering the opinions of Boulder area climbers -- and others -- regarding this possible mountain bike trail. The exact location of the trail has yet to be determined, but will involve both existing and new sections of trail to minimize erosion and potential conflict between different recreational user groups. Two obvious roadblocks to this plan are financing the construction of new trail on steep terrain and negotiating access through Boulder Open Space. Please let ACE know your opinions!

Betasso Preserve Public Meetings

Please send feedback to BCPOS with regard to supporting trailer parking at Betasso Preserve.  It’s a beautiful and historic place to ride but without access to trailer parking, equestrian use will be limited.

Want to find out more information?

Go to http:///www.bouldercountyopenspace.org for project information, maps and updates.

Questions? Comments? Contact the project planner, Ernst Strenge, at (303) 678-6260.

Boulder County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena

Open Wednesdays, AM & PM

Horseback riders can now access indoor arena on Wednesday mornings

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has added additional hours of public access for horseback riding at the Boulder County Fairgrounds indoor arena on Wednesday mornings. In addition to existing open-riding hours on Wednesday evenings, the arena will now be open from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, January 2 through March 12, 2008. The indoor arena is open for public riding from 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday from November-April. Use of the facility costs $5 per horse, via a self-pay system. The same procedures will apply for the new Wednesday morning hours.

Envelopes will be available to deposit fees into the deposit box located in the southeast corner of the arena. Riders are also asked to clean up after their horses; forks are available for clean-up.

Please contact Rebecca Harp, Boulder County Fairgrounds Scheduling Coordinator, at rharp@co.boulder.co.us for more information.

For more information about the Fairgrounds, go to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org and click on Fairgrounds in the left-hand column.

Heil Valley Ranch Connection to the Town of Lyons

National Trails Day, June 7, 2008, BHCA will sponsor a light breakfast for volunteer trail crew pariticpants.  See the volunteer page for registration information &/or to help with breakfast set up.

Betasso Preserve Expansion

This project update pertains to the Benjamin Property, which is adjacent to Betasso Preserve and expands trail opportunities greatly. We need new trails to connect with Betasso, and we need at least one large loop trail on the Benjamin property. Finally, we need BCPOS to redesign the Betasso parking lot to accommodate horse trailers!!!

PROJECT UPDATE: The rapid Resource Assessment Report conducted by ERO Resources Corp. is now available to view and download at: http://www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace/management_plans/Benjamin.htm This report evaluates resources in the Benjamin property and northern Betasso Preserve.

In September 2007, the Boulder County Commissioners have voted to close the Benjamin property for an interim study, at the request of the mountain bike lobbyists. No further information is available at this time. Thanks to those of you who supported access for equestrians and hikers.

Suzanne Webel BCHA External VP
Trails & Public Lands Chair 303-485-2162

Hessie Trailer Parking

Attention Equestrians!

Boulder County Parks & Open Space and Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest are working together to improve trailhead parking at Hessie, just west of Eldora.  This is the jumping-off point for many spectacular trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, including Lost Lake, King Lake, Woodland Lake, Jasper Lake and others. 

The old road down to Hessie has recently become impassable for horse trailers and the meadow is too small and full of cars for us to continue to park there.  Also, parking is now banned from The Fourth of July Road (people have been getting tickets for attempting to park there).   We need ACTION, now, to improve this situation!

Please visit the  Boulder County Parks and Open Space website at www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace

Doudy Draw Area Proposed Trail Alternatives

Public Input to Proposed Changes

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) proposed trail alternatives for the Doudy Draw area (Springbrook Mesa Trails)

City of Boulder
Open Space & Mountain Parks
PO Box 791, Boulder, CO 80306-9983

Attention: Mike Patton, Steve Armstead, Joe Mantione

Sept. 12, 2007

Re: Flatirons Vista & Doudy Draw Trailhead Designs

Dear Mike, Steve, and Joe:

We have reviewed your final layouts for the Flatirons Vista and Doudy Draw Trailheads, and wish to thank you for redesigning the latter “from the ground up.” This is truly a case where simple is better, and we think your revised plan will work better for passenger cars and horse trailers alike. While we would have liked to see four trailer slots (as well as some landscaping and other amenities), we can live with what you have proposed and we look forward to working with you on redesigning the South Mesa Trailhead and the South Boulder Creek Trailhead in the future to accommodate equestrians and horse trailers as well at those locations.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Webel
BCHA External Vice President, Trail Chair

All:

The final layouts for Flatirons Vista and Doudy Draw Trailheads can now be found on the OSMP web site by clicking on the following link:  

http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6865&Itemid=1997

These are a result of several months of work by staff and incorporate changes resulting from comments received from the community. You will also find an 'Explanation of Layout Decisions Made' for each trailhead on the site.

Next steps being worked on at this time include getting layout detail/construction drawings, applying for applicable permits (county, CDOT, etc.) and developing bid documents.

Equine Neglect: Letter to the Editor

from BCHA Board

Below, please find a "Letter to the Editor" of the Times-Call, publsihed Wednesday, April 3, and Daily Camera from the BCHA Board of Directors. We believe this letter is of urgent importance inasmuch as it pertains to the recent incidents of horse neglect that have been reported in
the press.

Editors:

Recent Animal Control intervention in several Boulder County equine neglect cases has prompted us to issue this letter.

We urge the public to understand that keeping any livestock requires a major financial, emotional, and time-consuming commitment, and is not to be undertaken lightly. Horses need daily feed, water, exercise, and care, sometimes including veterinary attention. They are large animals that also require space, shelter, and socialization with other horses and with people. Horse owners should educate themselves about the responsibility that comes with horsekeeping. There are many sources of this information, including journals, veterinarians, associations, trainers, and other horse people. Domestic animals are entirely dependent on humans for all their needs, and if you cannot meet these needs, please do not keep animals.

If you, as a horse owner, are considering keeping your horse at home, please do not neglect him! In general, keeping a horse in your backyard (even if your property has the appropriate zoning) is not a great idea unless you are a knowledgeable horse person: solitary horses can develop bad habits from boredom and lack of exercise, and they still require daily year-round care. Boarding your horse at a reputable facility can relieve you of some of the daily responsibilities, but it is more expensive and still requires careful evaluation on your part. Is the facility clean and well-maintained? Is the hay they feed your horse bright and mold-free, and distributed so each horse gets adequate nutrition? Are horses there monitored and treated promptly for injuries or other health problems? The horses should appear healthy and cheerful. If you observe legitimate problems with the facility and point them out to the management, they should be rectified right away – if they are not, vote with your feet and take your horse elsewhere.

If you, as a horse owner, are having financial or other difficulties keeping your horse, you have many options. These range from selling the horse outright, to leasing him to someone who can keep him for you or pay part of his expenses, to voluntarily relinquishing him to one of several fine animal rescue organizations in Boulder County. These groups will rehabilitate your horse, retrain him if necessary, and find a great “forever home” for him where he will be cared for, appreciated and loved. Even horses no longer able to be ridden can be adopted as “companion animals” for other horses. Or, if his temperament is suitable, consider donating him to one of several other non-profit organizations that use horses in their therapeutic riding programs. Parting with your horse may be a very difficult decision, but please keep his best interests in mind at all times.

If you, as a well-meaning citizen, observe a horse in distress, assess the situation carefully and get as many facts as possible. Do not try to intervene in the horse's management. Instead, call Boulder County Animal Control (303-441-4444), which is a division of the Sheriff's Department. Report the situation objectively, describing the animal, the circumstances, and the location. You may choose to remain anonymous, but if you do give them your name the Animal Control officer will keep your information confidential and will contact you with an update on any remedial actions they have taken. Remember that the Animal Control officers can only do what is within the law, and although you may be impatient to see the situation resolved, they have to give the owner time to correct problems before animals are impounded.

Also, horses (like people) are living longer lives than ever, so even healthy and well-cared for equine retirees who receive excellent care and are under a veterinarian's supervision may appear unkempt and thin. The Animal Control professionals are trained to assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.

Open Space and Mountain Parks Off-Trail Permit Program

The city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will require off-trail permits beginning Monday, March 12, 2007, for people who walk off-trail through Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs) in the Western Mountain Parks, the Southern Grasslands and the Lower Boulder Creek. Maps of these HCAs and applications for permits can be found at www.osmppermits.org . Visitors who remain on designated trails in HCAs do not need a permit. Designated trails have been marked with signs that include a trail name.

HCAs are designated because of their exceptional resource value. They provide homes to some of Boulder's rarest and most sensitive plants and animals. The Off-Trail Permit Program was developed as part of the OSMP Visitor Master Plan and is designed to help minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources. OSMP plans to designate more HCAs in the system as more planning processes are completed.

For information on the Off-Trail Permit Program and OSMP, visit www.osmp.org or call (303) 441-3440.

Lisa Nieman
City of Boulder
Open Space and Mountain Parks
720-564-2007

National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

Press Release: May 8, 2006, Washington, D.C.
The American Horse Council announces that the Equine Species Working Group (ESWG) has developed an informational booklet titled NAIS and Horses: the Facts Surrounding the National Animal Identification System as it Applies to the Horse Industry in the U.S.

This booklet was put together in an effort to answer the many questions and concerns that have been raised from the equine industry on the very important and difficult issue of the potential application of the national ID system to horses.  The booklet addresses the following topics: history of the NAIS, why the horse industry should be involved in developing an acceptable NAIS, equine diseases of concern, methods of equine identification, potential benefits, current status of the NAIS, frequently asked questions, and a list of Equine Species Working Group members.

It is important that equine organizations, events, service providers and horse owners know the facts so they can learn about the NAIS, the efforts of the ESWG, and how a national equine identification plan might affect them, should one become mandatory.  We encourage industry members to not only become educated on the issue by reading this material, but to also distribute it throughout the industry. 

The booklet is currently available to download from the American Horse Council website: www.horsecouncil.org

Caribou Ranch

BCHA adopts the Switzerland Trail. Volunteers needed regularly!

Support your trails opportunities

Boulder Feeder Canal Trail Proposal

Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
Marshall Mesa - Southern Grasslands Trail Study Area

USDA Forest Service, Boulder District
Brainard Lake - Environmental Assessment

South East Boulder County Open Space Planning

Lyons-Hall Ranch-Heil Valley Ranch Trail Planning

Forestry Thinning Projects - ongoing, arrange a time!

Equestrian Park Hosts for Boulder County Open Space Trails

Boulder County Commissioner Meetings

You may watch Boulder County Commissioner Public meetings online.

Hurricane Disaster Equine Relief Information

Thank you BCHA members, Anne Davidson and Melinda Helmick, who went to Nacogdoches, Texas to assist with horse rescue efforts. Horses have been reunited with their families and Anne and Melinda continued their journey east to assist with the care of dogs and other small animals who are still in need of care.

BCHA has sent hurricane relief contributions to The American Association of Equine Practitioners, Colorado Animal Response Team, and the American Horse Council. We will continue to accept monetary donations earmarked for horse care for displaced horses as a result of the hurricane. Mail checks to BCHA, PO Box 19601, Boulder, CO 80308-2601. Please write hurricane on the memo portion of your check. You may also donate directly to the organizations below.

LSU, Louisianna State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, is actively involved with horse rescue, sheltering displaced horses, connecting horses with their owners, and providing care to horses needing assistance as a result of the recent hurricane. Their website will connect you with relief efforts, volunteer needs, and how to make a donation for horses as well as other animals. This site has extensive up-to-date information:

http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/#Horse%20Relief

The American Association of Equine Practioners (AAEP) Foundation has an established Equine Disaster Relief Fund to support disaster response efforts and the development of disaster preparedness resources for horses, veterinarians and horse owners. Donations to the Equine Disaster Relief Fund will support response efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina as well as additional emergency needs.

A donation form is available online at http://www.aaep.org/f_disaster_relief.php . For more information about this effort, contact Amelia Geran, AAEP Foundation Coordinator, at 800-443-0177 or ageran@aaep.org.

Updates on relief efforts may be found by reading AAEP's newsletter: MyHorsematters.

The AAEP Foundation's outreach efforts in this area have included funding satellite telephones for Florida veterinarians during the 2004 hurricane season as well as the development of emergency and disaster preparedness short courses for AAEP student chapters.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) is teaming with the United States Equestrian Federation in asking for "your help in assisting ALL horses and horse owners who have been impacted by this unprecedented disaster." Donation and relief information can be found on the AQHA website: http://www.aqha.com/news/09032005_hurricanerelease_html

The Colorado Animal Response Team reports, at present, the biggest need is for hay, feed, and veterinary supplies for relocated horses. These are currently being supplied by states closer to the stricken areas. It is also anticipated that financial assistance will be needed in the months to come. BCHA will keep you informed, as information becomes available, of how we can make donations.

South East Boulder County Open Space Planning

BCHA is invited to participate in a collaborative planning process toward the creation of a long-term land management plan on a group of Boulder County Parks and Open Space properties. The properties that are the focus of this collaborative planning process are located east of US highway 287, extending approximately a mile east and north of the city of Broomfield. The properties are currently dryland farmland. Tentatively the County's plan's are to take them out of agricultural production and establish native grasslands. About 400 acres of the area is already in some stage of conversion.

The collaborative planning process involves stakeholders and recognizes the needs and issues of a specific area. The process identifies solutions and alternatives through a series of facilitated discussions. Through these discussions each stakeholder will be able to express their unique perspective on the situation as well as share their knowledge about the area and its uses. The use of the collaborative planning process allows opposing sides of an issue to work together towards an agreement that is satisfactory to each participant.

As a part of the collaborative planning process you will also be asked to participate in a research study conducted by researchers at Colorado State University's Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship. The study is being conducted to examine the outcomes of the collaborative planning process on county open space.

Rob Alexander
Boulder County Parks & Open Space

Lyons-Hall Ranch-Heil Valley Ranch Trail Planning

Update

Attention Equestrians! In the paragraphs below, are BCHA's recommendations for trails at Heil Valley Ranch. After more than ten years of negotiations, proposals are finally going to go to the Board of County Commissioners on Jan 12 at 5:00 (3rd floor, County Courthouse) for approval, or approval with modifications. In spite of a huge amount of public input to the contrary, staff has proposed only a tiny addition to the existing loop, they have proposed closing a significant new portion of the property where there has been some great riding until now, they have ignored a previously-approved pedestrian-equestrian trail corridor, and they are proposing Heil-Hall connections using Highway 7 and/or the Old South St. Vrain Rd., when there's some fine Open Space right nearby that could be used instead.

Therefore, please write to the County Commissioners SOON, stating your support of BCHA's letter and specifically supporting the following points:
1) We want a new multi-use trail loop to start at the "old stone house" utilizing an existing old road, and proceed north until it intersects staff's proposed loop.
2) We support the proposed northerly extent of staff's loop trail but want it to connect southward to the "old stone house" trail instead of connecting back to the small Ponderosa trail.
3) We want to reinstate the pedestrian-equestrian only trail in the northern part of the property which utilizes an existing old road. This alignment was recommended by the North Foothills Open Space Advisory Committee and approved by POSAC and the BOCC in April 1996. It would be similar to the Nighthawk Trail at Hall Ranch -- a wonderful equestrian experience.
4) We oppose the large new proposed "East Foothill Closure" as having no environmental justification.
5) We support POSAC's recommendation for the Heil-Hall connection along Old South St Vrain Road where necessary and utilizing Hall Ranch Meadow where possible. 6) We oppose any trail connection utilizing Highway 7 as unsafe and unpleasant. These recommendations are conservative and preserve environmental values while improving recreational opportunities.

It would be wonderful if you could attend the meeting on Jan 12 and speak on behalf of quality sustainable trails. The meeting time was chosen to be convenient for as many people as possible -- but we need to make sure we are heard, not just the just-say-no-to-trails folks! In any case, please ALSO send your comments ASAP to the
Commissioners at commissioners@co.boulder.co.us . Contact Suzanne for further information, 303-485-2162.

Background

A management plan for the Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch properties (collectively referred to as the North Foothills Open Space) was adopted in April 1996. This plan outlined the goal of connecting these two destination open space properties to the town of Lyons by establishing trail connections. This plan proposed conceptual trailheads and trails in the area to achieve this goal.

In 2000, the Town of Lyons adopted a Parks, Open Space & Trails (POST) Master Plan that outlined some specific goals and proposed trail alignments to help facilitate implementation of these trail conncections. For the last several years, the Town has consistently ranked the connection to Hall Ranch as its top trail priority. A considerable amount of public support and interest for these connections has also been demonstrated over the last few years.

Consequently, the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Department has had this project listed on its Capital Improvements Plan for several years. The Department's current plans are to study the project and develop preferred trail alignments in 2005.

Planning Process

The Department plans on spending all of 2005 developing alternative trail alignments that achieve the goal of connecting the two properties to Lyons. The Department will work cooperatively with the public to identify trail alternatives that are environmentally and economically feasible, and provide a safe, sustainable, high-quality user experience. The Department will strive to incorporate and balance the concerns of adjacent landowners and the general public in order to define alternatives that are environmentally, socially and politically feasible.

The first step was to host an open house, March 14, 2005, where the public was invited to provide input on the project to help define its opportunities and constraints. With this information, the Department will develop conceptual trail alternatives. Over 100 people were in attendance making it difficult for many to view the maps. People are asked to send their comments to the staff listed below. After any necessary field research, the trail altrnatives will be presented for public review and consideration sometime in July. With the help of the public, the Department then hopes to select preferred trail alignments and present this information to the necessary advisory bodies and decision makers by the end of the year.

There will be multiple opportunities for public review and input throughout the process.

Construction of the Hall Ranch trail connection is expected to take place in 2006, at the earliest, and the Heil Valley Ranch connection in 2007.

For more information on this project, contact any one of the following staff:
Patrick Malone, Natural Resource Planner, 303-527-0418 or pmalone@co.boulder.co.us
Tina Nielsen, Open Space Assistant, 303-441-4958 or tnielsen@co.boulder.co.us
Mary Olson, Landscape Architect, 720-622-0117 or molson@co.boulder.co.us

Forestry Thinning Project

If you have a group of volunteers, you can create your own volunteer project. Boulder County needs people to help thin unhealthy stands of Ponderosa pine trees with hand tools. This work helps improve plan and wildlife habitat while reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Contact Mary Wiener at 303-441-1647 or mwiener@co.boulder.co.us to arrange a time.

Sample Advocacy Letters

Do you want a closer look at BCHA's position on a number of local trail issues? Suzanne Webel has been kind enough to provide some recent letters she has written on behalf of BCHA to the local governing organizations. Please take a look at these PDF Files!