GOLDEN — Prospect Recreation and Park District in Jefferson County is exploring the option to purchase Applewood Golf Course and the surrounding land.
Developer Carlson and Associates, which is in contract to purchase the land from its owner Molson Coors, with plans to build 400 residences offered the land to the rec district Tuesday night at a public meeting. The developer made the offer after massive public outcry from residents who live near the golf course.
“Carlson has committed to giving that agency the right to purchase the property,” Kent Carlson said in a presentation during a packed community meeting Tuesday night in Golden.
But rec district representative and others at the meeting — including state Rep. Jessie Danielson and Congressman Ed Perlmutter — were not quick to take the bait.
“Right now, we’d be buying a pig in a poke,” Jim Zimmerman, chairman of Prospect Recreation and Park District’s board of directors, said. “We have no idea what we’d be getting.”
That is because, Zimmerman said, landowner Molson Coors has not offered to disclosed the sales contract with specific information about the land and the $16 million price tag. Zimmerman said that his district can purchase land only at fair market value.
Zimmerman said his district is working with other agencies, such as Jefferson County Open Space and Great Outdoors Colorado to explore options for the land.
Carlson said the district would have full access to the contract and all information about the property.
The meeting was the second held about Carlson and Associates’ preliminary request to rezone the land. The first meeting in March filled a middle school auditorium beyond capacity.
The second meeting was just as full, with standing room only in one of the Denver Mariott West’s banquet rooms.
Carlson told the community that his company will move forward with its rezoning request as the rec district explores ways it can possibly acquire the land. The district has until the end of November to notify Carlson whether it wants to buy the land. If the district says yes, Carlson said the rezoning issue will be moot.
Members of Applewood homeowners associations and neighborhood groups also spoke at the meeting, asking that Carlson extend the November deadline to give the public more time to explore options to acquire the 145 acres of property.
Perlmutter said although he has done business with both Carlson and Coors in the past, he supports the community’s stance against the development.
“I don’t wish you well in this project,” Perlmutter said. “But I wish you well because you’re good guys.”
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or
