The Nederland Planning Commission met on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 7 p.m. to discuss the Town’s plans to manage its tourism through educational campaigns, as well as the proposed plan to construct a pump track at Chipeta Park on a portion of grass between the parking lot and the basketball court.

Nederland’s Public Engagement Manager Peter Cacek presented Commissioners with an update on the Colorado Tourism Office’s (CTO) Reimagine Destinations Program. The Town of Nederland was selected in July of 2022 to take part in the program, which is a tourism promotion initiative offered by the $2.4 million dollar CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant.

A core tourism team consisting of Town staff and community leaders has been formed, with CTO Contractor Amy Cassidy and Derek Shimmel named as the facilitators for the partnership between the CTO and Nederland. The team created a timeline of short, medium, and long-term actionable items to advance tourism management in town.

Tourism expert Cassidy completed 100 hours of free consulting, which resulted in the creation of tourism management guidelines. These include the approval process for actionable decisions that involve issues of tourism. This process would begin with the public, then the Visitor’s Center, marketing experts, a Tourism Advisory Subcommittee (TAS), Town staff, and then ending with the Board of Trustees (BOT).

Next steps in the Reimagination Destinations Program involve forming the TAS, which the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) plans to begin next month, with the first meeting of the subcommittee expected to be held in September. Other steps include launching a marketing campaign designed to uphold the town’s defined values (currently named “Do Nederland Right”), and having a $20,000 creative production shoot done in 2024, funded by the program.

Cacek also noted that the Town of Nederland has applied for the Destination Blueprint grant, which would help form medium- to long-term initiatives for the town’s tourism structure.

Commissioners inquired as to whether the town’s tourism initiatives will also incorporate the current parking plan, trails master plan, and wayfinding efforts, and if there are plans for the TAS to confer with local business owners and possibly partner with CDOT. Cacek responded that there were no current plans to incorporate the various town initiatives, or to confer with business owners or partner with CDOT, though he took note of the Commissioners’ suggestions.

There was discussion resolving around the use of the term “carfree” to describe what tourists can expect when visiting Nederland. Commissioner Roger Cornell spoke against the branding of “car-free,” stating that it was an unrealistic expectation given that much of what Nederland, and the Peak to Peak area, has to offer tourists requires a car.

Commissioners Tim Duggan and Michael Dye expressed that the $20,000 video production should focus more on educating tourists on what to expect when coming to Nederland in regards to wayfinding and fire and wildlife safety, instead of providing only footage of the area’s enticing natural attractions.

The Planning Commission heard from PROSAB Vice Chair Sam Ovett and from BOT liaison to PROSAB Trustee Seavers regarding the Pump Track project, a 10,000- to 15,000-square foot track proposed to be constructed between the parking lot and basketball court in Chipeta Park.

The proposed concrete pump track has received unanimous votes of recommendation from PROSAB, from the Sustainability Advisory Board, and from the Youth Advisory Board. Ovett and Seavers also provided the results from a petition of support which garnered over 180 signatures from full-time Nederland residents as well as from residents who live just outside of town.

On April 12, 2023, the Nederland Downtown Development Authority approved up to $10,000 to fund preliminary designs of a pump track from the American Ramp Company (ARC). ARC’s design process will include public engagement and discussion on multiple designs scalable to the Town’s expected project budget. Shifting areas of difficulty can be added and placed onto desired areas on the design plan in order to alleviate safety issues between differently skilled riders.

The pump track would be constructed at an estimated cost between $250,000 and $500,000, and is expected to begin construction by Summer, 2024. Ovett and Seavers reiterated that their goal is not to use Town funds for the project, but rather garner from fundraising efforts and from pursuing grant opportunities. It was stated that more than 70% of the 185 signatories in the petition for support said that they would participate in any fundraising efforts for the pump track.

On June 6, the BOT discussed the pump track project during their regularly scheduled meeting. Parks Department Director Nicki Dunn addressed Trustee concerns about using Chipeta Park as the location for the pump track. Dunn stated that Chipeta Park was ideal in that it did not affect any other town project (such as the proposed second bridge across the creek); it was central to town, making it easily accessed by all of Nederland’s youth; and was closer to local businesses.

Dunn mentioned that ARC had specified that the location was a “perfect” size for a pump track, and also specified that the access road in Chipeta Park used by Town vehicles to access the field and fishing will not be obstructed by the pump track.

The BOT gave the Chipeta Park Pump Track project a nod of four in approval. Final review and vote for the project will commence at a future meeting.

On June 20, a special Town Hall meeting was held at Nederland Community Center that centered on public engagement. Seavers fielded many public questions and concerns about the pump track project during the meeting, most centered on disapproval of the location at Chipeta Park.

Commissioners also shared their concerns about the proposed Chipeta Park location, including issues with the higher elements of the pump track possibly obstructing the sight lines from the parking lot to the playground, which could deter families from getting out of their cars and exploring the rest of the park. Concerns were also raised of young children either accidentally or excitedly running out onto the track.

Ovett and Seavers detailed the issues with the other locations considered for the construction of the pump track. Guercio Field was a consideration when the pump track project was proposed in the past, though it was stated that there was pushback from the public to keep Guercio Field for outdoor music and events.

The only other location being considered is a space near NedRINK, which would connect to trails leading to Wild Bear Nature Center’s new Mud Lake facility and to the Elementary School. The location has been labeled as troublesome as it is not central and therefore would not incentivize potential shopping at Nederland businesses. It was also noted that younger bicyclists could have issues navigating the hill up Highway 72.

The pump track project was approved by all Commissioners; however, nearly half had issues with the proposed Chipeta Park location. Ovett and Seavers stated that they were open to pursuing other options.

The Planning Commission was presented with an update from Town Administrator Dr. Miranda Fisher on the $200,000 Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant, administered by DOLA, which will fund the drafting of an updated Comprehensive Plan and Three Mile Plan. The grant requires a 50% match from the Town which would come from a supplemental budget, to be discussed with the BOT in July.

A request for proposal (RFP) to contract with a consultant to draft the plan will be released by the end of July. Fisher expects to contract with a consultant by the end of August, with work on the Comprehensive Plan to extend into December, 2024, allowing time for the Town’s Housing Needs Assessment, Marketing and Branding Plan, Transportation Multimodal Plan, and Trails Master Plan to be completed and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

The Nederland Planning Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for July 26, 2023, at 7 p.m. Meetings can be attended online. For more information go to: https:// townofnederland.colorado.gov/planning-commission.