Talking points Re: Distel/Tull proposed land swap (Open Space for Public Works proper>es)
Background/What's going on?
Longmont’s Open Space Program is under attack from Longmont Public Works and Utilities. Public Works has proposed
a land exchange where land purchased by open space tax dollars would be exchanged for land owned by Public
Works/Utilities. This entire proposal was predicated on doing a partnership with Boulder County for regional compost
infrastructure. In January, 2025, Longmont City Council directed staff to pursue a compost partnership with Boulder
County, which included exploring city-owned properties. Boulder County wants to build a large-scale composting
operation and do not want to use Boulder County land, nor do they want to go through their own stringent Land Use
process. The proposal includes the Distel property, purchased with Open Space dollars, to be exchanged for the Tull
property which was purchased with Public Works and Utility dollars. The City purchased both properties from Aggregate
in 2019. The Open Space Program fully intended to purchase both properties for Open Space as was outlined in the
2001 Integrated Reclamation Plan. That plan was drawn up and approved by multiple City departments and past City
Councils to protect this entire riparian and wildlife movement corridor along our St. Vrain Creek and Boulder Creek
corridor. At the last minute, Public works argued their department needed Tull for clean infill from development. Their
needs prevailed and 138 acres of the Tull property went to Public Works. Public Works modified the reclamation plan, to
meet their needs. Now, just 6 years later, Public Works wants to swap these two properties so Boulder County and City
development can happen on Distel. Open Space knew that the Distel included temporary industrial development that
would go away with reclamation. Now Public Works want to make the industrial development permanent with their
operations. Tull is in the floodway and not as readily suitable for development as Distel. The proposal for industrial
development at Distel carves out just 8 acres for Boulder County's compost infrastructure and 57 acres slated for City of
Longmont infrastructure. The city has said they'd like to move the Fire Training Center on Martin, and build a municipal
training center pad for police, fire, snow vehicles and perhaps a warehouse. Both properties are in Weld County and the
neighbors are very unhappy with what was proposed to be Open Space. They have repeatedly expressed alarm about
industrial development being incompatible with their rural homes, and larger area. Development in this area will create
an industrial large donut hole in the middle of open space and agriculture land, creating additional fragmentation of
wildlife habitat and cutting of wildlife movement corridors.
Why Friends of Longmont Open Space believe this is a bad idea
*We fully understand the needs for Boulder County supported regional compost
infrastructure as well as Longmont Public Works desire for moving and developing
infrastructure. However using Open Space lands to accomplish these projects is improper.
• Ethics of Open Space: Open space is of high value to Longmont residents. When open space is
acquired, many conservation factors are weighed with location being a primary factor. Once a
location has been established, it is meant to be permanent and not a future candidate for relocation or
land exchange.
• Last November, Longmont passed an extension of our Open Space Sales Tax indefinitely with 74%
approving. Clearly we place high value on open space including riparian and other habitat
protections. People supported taxing themselves because they didn't want Open Space developed.
That includes not being bartered or traded for development. Both Distel and Tull have high ecological
value because of their proximity to our whole St. Vrain wildlife movement corridor.
• The disposition ordinance (changing designation) for Open Space requires proof of Net Benefit to the
Open Space Program. This has not been proven. There are several claims Public Works staff have
made concerning net benefits that have been repeatedly challenged by the public, neighbors and the
advisory board members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB). On June 3, City
Council sent this proposal to PRAB for their review and recommendation. On June 23, PRAB
rejected the proposal as submitted. This now goes back to City Council on June 22. Longmont
Friends of Open Space are very concerned City Council will ignore PRAB's recommendation and
move this proposal forward.
• When voters approved open space taxes, there wasn’t talk of disposition. Rather there was talk of
open space being in perpetuity. The disposition ordinance was adopted by a previous City Council
rather than the voters. Voters never thought of open space as a commodity that could be traded away;
even for a contrived net benefit. Disposition of Open Space has never happened in any other
municipality in Boulder County and is a very big deal. This land exchange changing the designation
of Distel as Open Space to Public Works property would set a dangerous and very troubling
precedent and would violate the publics' trust.
• Longmont has a 3200 acres of Open Space lands. Boulder County has 104,000 acres of Open Space.
Boulder County would never consider using, swapping, disposing, doing ANYTHING with open
space due to the betrayal of public trust. We agree. We don't understand why our City Council is
leaning toward approving this. While our federal public lands are being disrespected and exploited,
we expect better from our local city council. Precedent, public perception and trust in government
matters; especially in this turbulent political climate.
• It was the vision of former city councils to establish and support our natural resources/lands. That’s
why they started our Longmont's Open Space program 25 years ago. Under council’s direction, an
extensive intergraded reclamation plan was developed to protect our entire St. Vrain Corridor. We
need to stay the course and complete that well developed plan. Six previous mayors supported this
plan and concept.
• There is a many many decades old bald eagles nest in close proximity (just under ½ mile) from both
properties. There were many more nests just 10 years ago. The creek moved after the flood resulting
in a lot of old trees dying. Certainly development and industrial disturbance has also negatively
impacted the eagles viability. More industrial disturbance is problematic. There is the added worry
about adult eagles opportunistically foraging on compost rather than healthier food sources and
feeding to their young. It is highly likely the fledglings will follow suit to their detriment.
• Not one Longmont resident spoke in favor of this land swap at 3 City Council meetings nor 3
PRAB meetings discussing this proposal-not one. Approximately a dozen people spoke in
opposition at these same meetings.
To summarize, we support compost infrastructure– just not on Open Space. We understand the desire for economic
development on Martin and have no issue with moving the Fire Training Center for apartments or whatever – just not on
Open Space. We have no issue with the City's desire to pursue a partnership with Boulder County for compost
infrastructure, just don't pursue Open Space as the location.
We want our Open Space lands respected and protected. City Council should too. Like PRAB, they should
reject this proposal on July 22. Why have advisory boards if their advice is not respected? This whole idea was
well intentioned when City Council directed staff to pursue in January. It's great Longmont supports regional
compost infrastructure. All involved need to go back to the drawing board with Boulder County using their deep
sustainability dollars to purchase land that is not designated Open Space. Likewise, Longmont can look at
other city-owned properties that are not Open Space to pursue the infrastructure it needs..
What can you do?
• Attend City Council on Tuesday, August 12 @ 7:00 at the Civic Center. No need to speak. Just show
up in solidarity. Please wear green.
• Please contact our City Council members and tell them your thoughts. This only takes 5 minutes. You
can be short and sweet. https://longmontcityxm.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PEnCSjZVVwit8i
• Join our Blog to stay informed and get more info (sign up is on left side of homepage toward bottom)
http://standwithourstvraincreek.com/