The federal government may soon hand over a crucial right of way to Jefferson Parkway proponents, but hammering out the details is expected to take months.
Federal legislation permits the 300-foot strip on the eastern side of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge to be used for transportation needs under certain circumstances.
The question that remains, however, is how that property should be transferred: through easement, land exchange or property sale.
Each method has pros and cons, such as how to appraise equal land in the event of an exchange, said Steve Guertin, regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“As an agency, we remain committed to making the land available as contemplated” by the Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Act of 2001, Guertin said, noting that environmental standards also must be met before any land swap takes place.
The proposed tollway, considered the final segment of the beltway encircling metro Denver, would go from Colorado 128 near the Interlocken commercial area to Colorado 93 near West 64th Avenue at the north edge of Golden.
Plans for the road have pitted Golden and Boulder, which oppose the tollway, against Arvada, Broomfield and Jefferson County, which make up the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority.
Guertin said a meeting among all the stakeholders is expected to take place sometime in the next few weeks.
Last month, the Denver Regional Council of Governments board of directors approved the inclusion of the proposed tollway in its long-range transportation plan.
Obtaining the right of way is the last hurdle that parkway proponents must clear before sending out requests for proposals.
“There is interest out there,” said Bill Ray, executive director of the highway authority. “I expect two or three or four teams to submit proposals, making up the financial, construction and engineering aspects” of the toll road.
Golden and Boulder have backed plans to improve the U.S. 6/Colorado 93 corridor that links the two communities, rather than construct a new toll road. Additionally, Golden Mayor Jacob Smith said he is concerned about protecting the 6,000 acres in the refuge, which is home to various plants and animals.
“I don’t believe (parkway proponents) have shown that they can minimize the environmental impact,” he said.
Karen E. Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
