Latest news with #LarkspurFireProtectionDistrict
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Larkspur residents rally at Sandstone Open Space to protest camping proposal
LARKSPUR, Colo. (KDVR) — The more than 2,000-acre open space in Larkspur has been in the middle of a heated debate for months, ever since Douglas County proposed a pilot camping program that may include five to ten minimalist camping sites at Sandstone Ranch Open Space following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. A minimalist camping site is when people camp with no plumbing or utilities and must pack everything in and out. The county said they made this proposal after some of the community came to them, asking for more access to the open space. Family of 10-year-old killed by distracted driver hope for reform to laws for more accountability Former county commissioner, Lora Thomas, said that news caught her off guard. 'Abe Laden, one of the three county commissioners, said, 'I heard from some people over the weekend that we need to have camping on our open space.' So, after I picked my jaw up off of the conference table and said, 'Who are these people? This is ridiculous',' she said. 'I just think it's a ridiculous idea from the very beginning.' She said they have concerns including fire. Douglas County said no fires will be allowed in the dispersed camping sites, but the fire chief at the Larkspur Fire Protection District said this wouldn't completely eliminate the issue. 'Safety concerns include that there's no water supply out here for us to use in the event of a fire, there's very limited access to the area. There's more walking trailed than anything else so if something was to happen out here it would be very hard for us to get to patients and to the incident itself,' said Fire Chief Timothy McCawley. Then, these is a cost involved. Open Space has requested an additional ranger and camp host position to be funded if the proposal goes through. Douglas County provided an initial estimate for the pilot sites at Sandstone as $379,400 for the first year. Thomas said she did not think this was the best use of taxpayer dollars. 'If you think about how popular Chatfield or Cherry Creek are, those operate in the red. So, why would we be spending money for people to camp on our open space when it's going to cost taxpayers money?' Thomas said. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library delivers two millionth free book in Colorado FOX31 has reached out to Douglas County for comment and they said it is still too early in the proposal, but they appreciate community comments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Doing the right thing for public safety': Larkspur firefighters oppose camping proposal in Douglas County
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The Larkspur Fire Protection District is speaking out against a potential, yet controversial, proposal for campsites in Douglas County. The district voted unanimously Thursday night to approve a resolution opposing a campsite at the Sandstone Ranch Open Space, close to where the Colorado Renaissance Festival takes place every year, an idea produced by the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners. However, there is still no formal proposal about the potential campsite. 2 Colorado all-inclusive resorts ranked among best in nation: US News and World Report 'We are presenting to the board with a resolution to adopt, which is kind of our legal avenue at the moment to notify the County Commissioners of Douglas County that we do not feel it is the best option to allow camping on the Sandstone Ranch site,' said Larkspur Fire Chief Timothy McCawley. 'Cause for concern because it is an open space that is very windy, there's not a whole lot of resources out there so it does bring concern to us, are we doing the right thing for public safety.' Sandstone Ranch Open Space was purchased by Douglas County in January 2018. The 2,038-acre property is home to multiple historical buildings, native grasses and shrubs and an abundance of wildlife. It is also open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, and cross-country skiers in the winter. 'The area is next to some wildlife habitats and rattlesnakes and other habitats for the wildlife that comes out of the forest. Obviously, those presented a danger to the campers,' said McCawley. 'We all see the news for California, we all see the news for things that happen in our own backyard between Hayman being down here, actually affecting this community years ago and also the wildfires up in Boulder County.' In early January, the plan for the open space took a slight shift when residents bordering the open space learned about a proposal to add five to ten minimalist campsites in Sandstone Ranch. 'The best tool we have to identify human scent': Avalanche dog shows off rescue skills They would be limited to tents, meaning no RVs or trailers would be permitted. A minimalist campsite is: Undeveloped, designated and dispersed sites No plumbing, running water or utilities Pack in and pack out all belongings and waste 'Even if we say they're not allowed to do campfires and such, there could still be somebody that doesn't obey the law or obey the rules. There could be somebody that tips over their campfire stove, things like that, that create risks. As windy as it is being down in the valley, it could move very quickly,' said McCawley. FOX31 reached out to Douglas County for a response to LFPD's concerns. A spokesperson said Thursday afternoon, 'We are so early in this process and taking feedback … The most important thing to know is that no decision has been made about camping,' at Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
