Longmont’s Open Space program is being compromised by Longmont Public Works and Utilities. Public Works has put forward a proposal for a land exchange involving property acquired with Open Space tax funds and land currently owned by the Public Works or Utilities Departments. This entire proposal is 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 apparently 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, 1041, Location and Extent, 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 identified in the initial 2001 Integrated Reclamation Plan, which has been updates and support by six mayors and their councils, most recently in March of 2022 That plan was drawn up and approved by multiple City departments and these past City Councils to protect this entire riparian and wildlife movement corridor along our St. Vrain Creek and Boulder Creek corridor. A plan that is nearly 30 years in the making.
At the last minute of 2019, Public Works argued their department needed a portion of the Tull property for clean infill from development. Their needs prevailed and 139 acres of the Tull property went to Public Works. Public Works proceeded to modify the Tull reclamation plan to meet their needs, and now, just 6 years later, Public Works wants to swap these two properties so Boulder County and City development can happen on Distel…