NEDERLAND — The Boulder Canyon route has been selected as the preferred option for the long-planned emergency evacuation out of Nederland’s Big Springs neighborhood, bringing the decades-long effort one step closer to fruition.

During the November 9 Board of Trustees meeting, Nederland Fire Protection District Fire Chief Charlie Schmidtmann and the engineering firm contracted by the town, JVA Consulting Engineers, presented the Boulder Canyon route as the final choice.

“In Colorado, fires are moving faster and faster," Schmidtmann said. "We saw that in the Marshall Fire most recently. And so, these fast fires, we have to do everything in our power to get our people out as fast as we can, so I'm pushing for getting this done.”

Eight different routes have been considered over the 28 years the project has been under consideration, according to Schmidtmann. Fire officials and the engineering team agreed that the Boulder Canyon route was the strongest option among those evaluated.

The proposed route would begin at Doe Trail and Alpine Drive, crossing City of Boulder property, according to a map posted on the Town of Nederland’s website. That path offers the most direct and fastest access to Boulder Canyon, providing the quickest evacuation to lower elevations compared to some of the other options that were considered, a JVA representative told the board Monday. 

Schmidtmann also pointed to several geographic advantages that he and JVA believe make the route safer. Its downhill grade leads toward an already established evacuation corridor, while the eastward direction moves away from the anticipated direction of fire, he said.

It also avoids hazards like drainage or “chimney” terrain where fire could move faster, making it the safest option as well, Schmidtmann said. 

One of the most significant challenges associated with the Boulder County egress route is that it would need to cross private property. 

Town officials said they hope to reach an agreement with the land owner. However, it is too early to provide details about the potential cost or timeline, they said. Officials also have not determined whether eminent domain might be required. 

Although the final route choice has been identified, the project still needs formal approval to move forward. Trustees discussed the proposal in the meeting, but several more steps must be completed before the route can be confirmed and the project can move to construction bidding, including an ecological and land-use analysis.