HomeMy WebLinkAbout15_CONSERVATION_EASEMENTS_BASELINE_STUDIES15.1Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
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15.2 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Report Preparers
Alan T. Carpenter owns a small business, Land Stewardship Consulting, Inc., whose
mission is to provide practical land management advice that public land manages,
agencies, and private landowners will use to improve or maintain the biodiversity and
other conservation values of their lands. Alan has overall responsibility for all aspects
of the business, particularly planning projects, conducting field work, analyzing data,
and writing reports for clients on a variety of land conservation-related topics. Prior
to that, he worked for nine years for The Nature Conservancy where he oversaw the
stewardship of Conservancy fee properties and conservation easements in Colorado.
In that capacity, he participated in strategic planning, prepared land management
plans, developed and implemented plant monitoring programs, worked with scientists
on research and inventory projects, and administered grants and contracts. He was
a research associate for two years at Colorado State University in the Department of
Rangeland Ecosystem Science where he worked on a land reclamation project in the
Piceanace Basin in northwestern Colorado. He has a BS in chemistry, MA in secondary
education, MS in water resources management, and a Ph.D. in range ecology. Alan
has been involved in a number of professional groups and volunteer organizations in
Colorado including the Colorado Rockies Regional Cooperative, the Colorado Riparian
Association, and the Colorado Branch of Holistic Management. Alan has been the lead
author of over fifty baseline documentation reports.
Steven G. Perce started working for Land Stewardship Consulting, Inc. in August,
2002.Steven is responsible for collecting information and creating the various maps
and supporting images that accompany the reports for clients. Prior to working for Land
Stewardship Consulting, he has worked as a project designer in several architectural
firms in the Front Range area as well as in Jackson, Wyoming. While working in this
capacity, he managed projects ranging from the design of single-family homes to
interior tenant finishes. He received his Bachelor of Environmental Design from the
University of Colorado.
This report was prepared by Alan T. Carpenter and Steven G. Perce of Land Stewardship
Consulting, Inc., 2941 20th Street, Boulder, CO 80304; telephone (303) 443-8094.
Information in this report was derived primarily from our site visit, unpublished reports
and interviews with people who are knowledgeable about the property or the area
around the property.
15.3Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Alan T. Carpenter, Ph.D., President
Steven G. Perce, Associate
2941 - 20th Street
Boulder, CO 80304
303.443.8094
alanc@landstewardshipconsulting.com
November 2003
Prepared by
Bar/X Ranch: Documentation of Present Conditions
15.4 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Table of Contents
Owner Acknowledgement Statement .........................................................................................15.6
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................15.7
Introduction .................................................................................................................................15.8
Purpose and Methodology of the Baseline Condition Report .................................................15.8
Conservation Values ...............................................................................................................15.8
Location and General Description of the Property ..................................................................15.8
Location and Size ...................................................................................................................15.8
Directions to the Property .....................................................................................................15.10
Boundary Description ...........................................................................................................15.10
Geographic Setting ...............................................................................................................15.10
Climate ..................................................................................................................................15.10
Geology and Soils ....................................................................................................................15.12
Soils ..........................................................................................................................................15.13
Hydrology .................................................................................................................................15.13
Surface Drainage and Ground Water .......................................................................................15.13
Wetlands and Riparian Areas ...............................................................................................15.14
Water Rights .........................................................................................................................15.15
Lakes and Ponds ..................................................................................................................15.16
Plant Communities and Vegetation ..........................................................................................15.16
Plant Communities ...................................................................................................................15.16
Rare Plant Species and Communities ..................................................................................15.18
Noxious Weeds .....................................................................................................................15.19
Agricultural Production ..........................................................................................................15.19
Wildlife and Fisheries ...............................................................................................................15.19
Large Mammals and Upland Game Bird Species .................................................................15.20
Small Mammals ....................................................................................................................15.20
Non-game Wildlife-Birds .......................................................................................................15.20
Predatory Bird Species .........................................................................................................15.20
Fisheries ...............................................................................................................................15.20
Rare animal species .............................................................................................................15.20
Improvements .......................................................................................................................15.23
Buildings ...............................................................................................................................15.23
Fences ..................................................................................................................................15.23
Roads ...................................................................................................................................15.23
Land Use and Management .................................................................................................15.23
Historic Land Use .................................................................................................................15.23
15.5Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Current Land Use .................................................................................................................15.23
Future Land Use ...................................................................................................................15.23
Local Area .............................................................................................................................15.24
Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................................15.24
Archaeological Search ..........................................................................................................15.24
Open Space Resources ...........................................................................................................15.24
Management Recommendations .............................................................................................15.24
Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................15.26
Appendices ...............................................................................................................................15.27
Appendix A: Legal description of the property ......................................................................15.28
Appendix B: Plansheet: Protected lands near the property ..............................................15.30
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County ............................................................15.31
Appendix D: List of vascular plant species observed on the property .................................15.35
Appendix E: Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area .....................................15.36
Appendix F: Aerial photograph of the property ....................................................................15.38
Appendix G: Photo of property circa 1890 ............................................................................15.39
Appendix H: Site Photos taken August 8th, 2003 ..................................................................15.40
Foldout with list and plansheet of photopoints .........................................................15.67
Appendix I: Site Photos taken August 11th, 2003 ..................................................................15.69
Foldout with list and plansheet of photopoints ........................................................15.81
List of Tables
Table 1. Water rights ............................................................................................................15.15
Table 2. Rare plant species that may be present on the property .......................................15.18
Table 3. Breeding bird species that may be present on the property ..........................15.21
Table 4. Rare animal species that may utilize the property ..................................................15.21
List of Plansheets
Figure 1. Regional map showing the general location of the property ..................................15.9
Figure 2. Boundaries of the property and easement location .............................................15.11
Figure 3. Geology Types .....................................................................................................15.12
Figure 4. Soil Types ............................................................................................................15.14
Figure 5. Vegetation ...........................................................................................................15.17
15.6 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
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15.7Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Executive Summary
Property Owner:
Bar /X Ranch LLC, 200 North Mill Street, Suite 203, Aspen, CO 81611
Contact:
John Lifton, P. O. Box 1770, Telluride, CO 81435, telephone 970.728.5353
Acreage:
145 (more or less)
Township, Range, Section:
Township 10S, Range 85W, Sections 2 and 11
USGS Quad:
Aspen
Zoning:
Planned Unit Development
The City of Aspen is about to receive two perpetual conservation easements over
certain real property in the Pitkin County, Colorado, and adjacent to the City of
Aspen, referred to in this report as the Bar /X Ranch property.
The conservation values of the property are 1) wildlife habitat, 2) relatively natural
plant communities, 3) landscape connectivity, 4) agriculture, 5) open space, and
6) scenic. The property provides a variety of habitats for breeding birds, small
and large mammals, fish, and amphibians and reptiles. The property contains
relatively natural plant communities (narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest, mixed
mountain shrubland, mesic sagebrush shrubland, and wet meadow) with significant
natural values. The property provides connectivity to protected and semi-protected
adjacent lands including parcels of open space owned by Pitkin County and the City
of Aspen, and lands protected by perpetual conservation easements held by the
Aspen Valley Land Trust. Thus, the property provides a movement corridor along
Maroon Creek, and, to a lesser extent, along the Roaring Fork for wide-ranging
wildlife species such as mule deer, coyote, black bear, and other animals typical of
montane valleys. The property is included in the Maroon-Castle Creek Potential
Conservation Area, as identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. The
property contains three irrigated hay meadows supported by significant water
rights, as well as two ranch homes, ranch hand units, and ancillary structures that
are used for agricultural purposes. The property provides open space for the City
of Aspen and Pitkin County. The public can enjoy views of portions of the property
from State Highway 82, which is located immediately south of the property.
One conservation easement will preserve the irrigated meadows of the ranching
operation, the other will preserve the Maroon Creek canyon ecosystems.
15.8 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Introduction
Purpose and Methodology of the Baseline Condition Report
The purpose of this baseline condition report is to establish the present condition of the Bar /X Ranch
property and establish a baseline from which to consider and evaluate management decisions. In this
report, the term “property” refers to the Bar /X Ranch. To prepare this report, we contacted a number
of people and organizations to obtain relevant information about the property and lands surrounding
the property. We visited the property on August 8, 2002 and prepared this report from November
2002 through March 2003. During our site visit we documented the plant and vertebrate species
that we encountered as well as plant community types, roads, structures, disturbances, and potential
management concerns. Photographs were taken during our visit to the property. The photographs and
a figure showing the location of the photographs are appended.
Conservation Values
The conservation values of the property are 1) wildlife habitat, 2) relatively natural plant communities, 3)
landscape connectivity, 4) agriculture, 5) open space, and 6) scenic. The property provides a variety of
habitats for breeding birds, small and large mammals, fish, and amphibians and reptiles. The property
contains relatively natural plant communities (narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest, mixed mountain
shrubland, mesic sagebrush shrubland, and wet meadow) with significant natural values. The property
provides connectivity to protected and semi-protected adjacent lands including parcels of open
space owned by Pitkin County and the City of Aspen, and lands protected by perpetual conservation
easements held by the Aspen Valley Land Trust. Thus, the property provides a movement corridor
along Maroon Creek and, to a lesser extent, along the Roaring Fork for wide-ranging wildlife species
such as mule deer, coyote, black bear, and other animals typical of montane valleys. The property
is included in the Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area, as identified by the Colorado
Natural Heritage Program. The property contains three irrigated hay meadows supported by significant
water rights, as well as two ranch homes, ranch hand units, and ancillary structures that are used for
agricultural purposes. The property provides open space for the City of Aspen and Pitkin County. The
public can enjoy views of portions of the property from State Highway 82, which is located immediately
south of the property.
Location and General Description of the Property
Location and Size
The Bar /X Ranch property is located in Pitkin County, Colorado, adjacent to the City of Aspen, (Figure
1). The property is located north of State Highway 82, south of the Roaring Fork River, and west of Red
Butte. The property is located in Township 10S, Range 85W, Sections 2 and 11. The property includes
approximately 120 acres of deeded land, and the elevation ranges from about 7600 to 7800 feet.
Most of the property lies on a bench that is located west of Maroon Creek and south of the Roaring Fork
River (Figure 2). It consists mostly of irrigated hay meadows that are dominated by European pasture
species. The property also contains areas of un-irrigated upland that are mostly mesic sagebrush
shrubland, with some mixed mountain shrubland. The property contains a ranch house and a ranch
manager’s house, as well a barn, shed and a garage. The remainder includes the Maroon Creek
riparian corridor and a small part of the Roaring Fork River (Figure 2). This portion of the property is a
largely mix of forest and shrubland, with smaller areas of wetland.
15.9Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Figure 1. Regional map showing the general location of the property.
15.10 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Legal Description
See Appendix A for a complete legal description of the property.
Directions to the Property
To reach the property from the western edge of Aspen (where Highway 82 makes a right-angle turn),
drive west on State Highway 82 for 1.8 miles. There is a golf course on the right (north) side of Highway
82. Turn right (north) at a traffic circle on to New Stage Road, then drive about 0.3 miles north to Stage
Road. Turn right (east) on Old Stage Road and drive east for about 0.6 miles until the road ends at Bar
/X Ranch manager’s house. The property is located on the left (north) side of Old Stage Road starting
about 500 feet east after the junction with New Stage Road and is located on the right (south) side of
Old Stage Road to the east of the golf course.
Boundary Description
The boundaries of the property are shown in Figure 2 opposite. The eastern boundary runs along
the Maroon Creek floodplain generally on the western side of the creek. The western boundary runs
along a golf course, private residential parcel, and a portion of Bar /X ranch that will be conveyed to
Burlingame Village and will not be included in the conservation easement. The northern boundary lies
along several private parcels near the Roaring Fork River. The southern boundary runs about 150 feet
along State Highway 82. The southern, northern, and parts of the western boundaries of the property
are fenced, while the eastern boundary is not fenced.
Geographic Setting
Robert Bailey has prepared ecoregional maps of the United States, North America and the rest of the
world. In Bailey’s ecoregional map of the United States, he identified four broad domains: polar, humid
temperate, dry, and humid tropical (Bailey 1995). The property is located in the Dry Domain, which
essentially includes the western part of the United States west of the 97th parallel less the Cascade
Range and Sierra Nevada mountains on the west coast.
Within the Dry Domain, the property is located in the Temperate Steppe Regime Mountains, which
includes the Rocky Mountains from northwest Texas to Canada. Within this region, the property is
located in the Southern Rocky Mountain Steppe - Open Woodland- Coniferous Forest - Alpine Meadow
Province. This province includes the mountainous areas of the Rocky Mountains from central New
Mexico to southern Montana. Within this region, the property is located within the North-Central
Highlands and Rocky Mountain section, which includes the mountainous areas of northcentral Colorado
and adjacent Wyoming (Bailey 1995).
Climate
There are no long-term climate data for the property. The climate of the property is similar to that
of Aspen, Colorado. The following data are from the Aspen station located approximately 3 miles
southeast of the property at a similar elevation for the period between 1948 to 1979 (Anonymous 2002).
The average annual precipitation is 19.4 inches. The wettest two months are December and March.
The driest two months are May and June. The average monthly mean temperature is 40.7 degrees
F. The hottest months are July and August. The coldest months are December and January. Snow
generally covers the ground from about November to April.
Maroon Creek Canyon conservation area
Agricultural conservation area
15.11Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Figure 2. Boundaries of the property and easement locations
Maroon Creek Canyon conservation area
Agricultural conservation area
15.12 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Figure 3. Geology Types.
Geology and Soils
The geology of the property has been mapped at the 1:25,000 block scale showing four geology types
(Bryant 1971). Based on this map the geology descriptions are as follows:
Qal: Alluvium; Sand, silt, gravel and peaty material on valley floor; includes some swamp deposits.
Qgb: Glaciofluvial deposits; Outwash gravels, crudely bedded, poorly sorted.
Qmc: Glacial deposits; Poorly sorted moraine deposits ranging from silt to boulders. Commonly
contain subrounded boulders derived from valley heads but may also be composed of relatively
angular boulders locally derived. In many places has hummocky or ridge-and-trough topography.
Locally indistinguishable from landslides containing morainal material or from colluvium developed on
Precambian rocks.
15.13Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Soils
Soils on the property have been mapped at the series level (Figure 4, overpage). Descriptions of
the six soils that have been mapped have been abstracted from Alstatt and Moreland (1992). The
numbers in parentheses after the soil names are those used to identify the soil types in the soil
survey.
Fluvaquents (42): deep, somewhat poorly drained, nearly levels soils on flood plains and
alluvial valley floors; formed on alluvium; vegetation is cottonwood riparian forest and wet
meadow; prone to flooding and high water tables; found on the property along the Maroon
Creek floodplain; capability class VIw.
Morval loam, 6-25% slopes (85): deep, well drained soils on alluvial fans; formed in alluvium;
erosion hazard is moderate; this is the most common soil on the property; itunderlies the
South and West Meadows where the vegetation is mostly pasture grasses; capability class
VIe, nonirrigated.
Torriorthents-Camborthids-Rock Outcrop complex, 6-65% slopes (104): well drained soils on
canyon side slopes; erosion hazard is severe; vegetation mostly mesic sagebrush shrubland
and pinon-juniper woodland; small areas of this soil are found on the property on the slopes
south of the Roaring Fork River floodplain and on slopes west of the Maroon Creek floodplain;
capability class VIIe, nonirrigated.
Uracca, moist-Mergel complex, 6-12% slopes, extremely stony (108): deep, well drained soils
on alluvial fans and valley side slopes; formed in alluvium; erosion hazard is slight; vegetation
is mesic sagebrush shrubland; commonly used for residential development; found on the
property south of the Roaring Fork floodplain, on southern end of the property, on the northwest
corner, and around the ranch buildings; capability class VIe, irrigated and nonirrigated.
Uracca, moist-Mergel complex, 12-25% slopes, extremely stony (109): deep, well drained soils
on alluvial fans and valley side slopes; formed in alluvium; erosion hazard is slight to moderate;
this soil underlies the North Meadow where vegetation is mostly mesic sagebrush shrubland
and pasture grasses; also found south of the Maroon Creek floodplain; capability class VIe,
nonirrigated.
Uracca, moist-Mergel complex, 12-25% slopes, extremely stony (110): deep, well drained
soils on alluvial fans and valley side slopes; formed in alluvium; erosion hazard is moderate;
vegetation is mixed mountain shrubland and mesic sagebrush shrubland; found on low hill
northwest of the ranch buildings and south of the Maroon Creek floodplain where it joins
the Roaring Fork river; capability class VIIe, nonirrigated.
The capability classes of prime agricultural soils fall within the range of I to III. The higher capability
classes (VI to VII) of the soils on the property indicate that these soils do not ordinarily support
highly productive agriculture.
Hydrology
Surface Drainage and Ground Water
The property is drained mainly by Maroon Creek and also by the Roaring Fork River. Flows in these
streams are mostly from snow melt in the spring and to a lesser extent from runoff following summer
monsoon storms. There are several springs on the property located at the base of the hill slope on
the western side of the Maroon Creek floodplain. The springs are supported by ground water seeping
generally from the west and south. At least some of this seepage arises from irrigation water applied
15.14 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Figure 4. Soil Types.
to adjacent portions of the Bar /X Ranch, and from a golf course which is located about one-quarter
mile west of the property. Ground water discharges support the wet meadows in the property and
help support the narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest.
About half of the property is irrigated from water in a ditch that flows from the west on to the property.
Once on the property, irrigation was is delivered to the West, South and North Meadows through
pipes and laterals.
Wetlands and Riparian Areas
Portions of the property contain wetlands, and the wetlands are a significant part of the conservation
values of the property. The wetlands are mostly wet meadows that are dominated by sedge, rush
and grass species and are supported by ground water discharge from the adjacent hill slopes.
15.15Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Water Rights
There are significant historic, senior water rights appurtenant to the property (see Table 1, below). These
water rights provide the irrigation for the agricultural production on the property. The water rights (all decreed
absolute in Division 5, Colorado) that provide irrigation water are outlined below.
1 The below amounts reflect the amounts owned by the -/X Ranch, LLC, as of November 2003. These rights will be
decreased by those amounts (0.35 cfs of the LLC’s rights for the domestic portion, and up to .9 cfs for the raw water
irrigation) under contract to be conveyed to the City of Aspen upon final plat for the -/X Ranch, LLC development
project. In addition, the Water Service Agreement between the -/X Ranch, LLC and the City of Aspen contains a pro-
vision that recognizes that the rate of diversion at the -/X Ranch, LLC property boundary will not exceed 5.0 cfs.
2 The Willow Creek Ditch, Second Enlargement was initially decreed conditional in C.A. 491, and then decreed
absolute for 30.0 cfs in Case No. W-122 on June 22, 1971.
3 See Special Warranty Deed executed on August 10, 1987, recorded at Book 543, Page 406, Pitkin Co. Clerk and
Recorder conveying 45.48 acres; and Special Warranty Deed executed on August 10, 1987, recorded at Book 543,
Page 411, Pitkin Co. Clerk and Recorder conveying 1.5 cfs of Willow Creek Ditch rights (unspecified priority), and
1.28 cfs of the Herrick Ditch, Pr. 683; both conveyances from the Zoline Foundation to the City of Aspen.
Adjudication
Date
Appropriation
Date
-/X Ranch LLC
Ownership 1
Willow Creek Ditch 129 3.0 cfs May 11, 1889 July 1, 1885 C.A. 132 0.75 cfs
Willow Creek Ditch, First
Enlargement 174 3.0 cfs May 11, 1889 May 1, 1887 C.A. 132 0.75 cfs
Willow Creek Ditch,
Second Enlargement 209 30.0 cfs June 23, 1892 April 15, 1891 C.A. 491
2 7.5 cfs
Subtotal all Willow Creek
Ditch Priorities 9.0 cfs
Less 1987 Conveyance
to City of Aspen 3 <1.5 cfs>
7.5 cfs
Adjudication
Date
Appropriation
Date
-/X Ranch LLC
Ownership 1
Herrick Ditch 440 9.3 cfs 5-Feb-40 October 1, 1890 C.A. 3330 0.0 cfs
Herrick Ditch, First
Enlargement 683 51.56 cfs 20-Jun-58 1-Aug-51 C.A. 4613 6.65 cfs
Less 1987 Conveyance
to City of Aspen 2 <1.28 cfs>
5.37 cfsTotal Herrick Ditch ownership:
Decreed Water Right
Priority
No.
Total Amount
Decreed Case No.
Total Willow Creek Ditch ownership:
Decreed Water Right
Priority
No.
Total Amount
Decreed Case No.
Table 1. Water rights
15.16 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
In addition, the water rights are delivered through the Herrick Ditch and Willow Creek Ditch, which
structure diverts water from Maroon Creek, high above the property location. The ditch is operated by
the Willow Creek Ditch and Herrick Ditch Company; incorporated as a Colorado Mutual Ditch Company
on June 7, 2002. The -/X Ranch, LLC is a member of the Ditch Company. The water rights owned by
the -/X Ranch, LLC are diverted at the headgate and delivered to the property, in addition to other water
rights flowing in the ditch during times when other owners are not using them (Kropf 2003).
Delivery of irrigation water changed drastically after the golf course that borders the western side of the
pasture was constructed. Prior to that time, irrigation water flowed through a ditch to the South Pasture,
then to the other pastures. Now, water is delivered from seven outlets in a pipe along the western side
of the South Pasture; however, the location of the outlets coupled with the uneven ground in the pasture
mean that much of the pasture is not well irrigated. Irrigation water was available this summer in its
customary amount, in spite of the severe regional drought.
Lakes and Ponds
There are no permanent lakes or ponds on the property. However, there is a historic pond immediately
northwest of the ranch owner’s house. There is also an area in the West Meadow where water ponds
temporarily following intense thunderstorms or application of large amounts of irrigation water.
Plant Communities and Vegetation
Plant Communities
We identified four plant communities on the property using the classification of Galatowitsch (1988).
They are 1) narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest, and 2) mixed mountain shrubland, 3) mesic
sagebrush shrubland, and 4) wet meadow (Figure 5). Plant names below follow Weber and Wittmann
(2001) with common synonyms provided. See the appendix for a list of vascular plants observed
during our site visit on August 8, 2002. We also identified one human-created plant community on the
property, namely improved pasture.
Narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest: This plant community is found along the floodplains of
Maroon Creek and the Roaring Fork River. It is also found along the slope above the western side
of the Maroon Creek floodplain. The dominant tree is narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia),
with lesser amounts of Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) and aspen (Populus tremuloides).
There is an area of cottonwood riparian forest located on the hill slope above the floodplain, where
ground water seeps occur. Here, the Douglas-fir (Psedotsuga menziesii) is also common. On
the Understory shrub species on the flood plains include mountain willow (Salix monticola), thin-
leaf alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia), red-osier dogwood (Swida sericea = Cornus stolonifera),
and twinberry (Lonicera involucrata). Common herbaceous plant species include Nebraska
sedge (Carex nebrascensis), white clover (Trifolium repens), and quackgrass (Elytrigia repens =
Agropyron repens). White clover and quackgrass are pasture species introduced from Europe,
and reflect the past agricultural activity on the neighboring Burlingame Ranch. Quackgrass is
a noxious weed in Colorado, although it probably does not create management problems on
the property. The narrowleaf cottonwood riparian forest is generally in good condition on the
property.
Mixed mountain shrubland: This community occurs on upland areas west of Maroon Creek with
stony soils. The dominant plant species are Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) and serviceberry
(Amelanchier alnifolia). Understory herbaceous species are sparse, consisting largely of smooth
brome (Bromopsis inermis = Bromus inermis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa prateusis). The mixed
15.17Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Figure 5. Vegetation
mountain shrubland plant community on the property is in fair condition, reflecting impacts from
livestock grazing over the years.
Mesic sagebrush shrubland: This community occurs non-irrigated upland areas west of Maroon
Creek with stony soils. The dominant plant species is mountain sagebrush (Serphidium vaseyanum
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana). Other shrub species present are antelope bitterbrush
(Purshia tridentata), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos
rotundifolius). Common herbeceous species include needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata =
Stipa comata), smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides),
which is a noxious weed. Most of the mesic sagebrush shrubland stands on the property are in fair
to poor condition.
15.18 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Table 2. Rare plant species and plant communities known in the vicinity of the property and for which
appropriate habitat exists on the property. Plant nomenclature follows Weber and Whittmann (2001).
There is a stand of mesic sagebrush shrubland on the southern end of the property that is in
excellent condition. There is a diverse mixture of shrub species, including mountain sagebrush,
antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), rabbitbrush, snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius),
and serviceberry. Common herbeceous species include letterman needlegrass (Achnatherum
letermanii = Stipa lettermanii), arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagitatta), needle-and-thread.
Small amounts of Kentucky bluegrass and plumeless thistle were present.
Wet meadow: This community occurs in wetlands that are supported by seepage from the adjacent
hill slopes along Maroon Creek. It is dominated by sedges, grasses, and rushes. Dominant plant
species include Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis), beaked sedge (Carex utriculata) and
Canada bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). Montane willow (Salix monticola) is also
present in places. The wet meadows are generally in good to excellent condition. However, cattle
have trampled some areas of wet meadow along the lower reaches of Maroon Creek. As a result
of our concern, the property owner has informed us that it intends to install temporary or permanent
fences to exclude cattle from these areas when cattle are present.
Improved pasture: This plant community is found in the irrigated hay meadows (West, South, and
North Meadows). It consists mostly of European pasture species, including alfalfa (Medicago
sativa), red clover (Trifolium pratense), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), Kentucky bluegrass, and
smooth brome. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is also common in places. The three improved
pastures are in fair to poor condition, which reflects in part the uneven distribution of water across
the meadows. Condition could be increased by increasing the organic matter content of the soils
and by applying irrigation water more evenly. The West Pasture has a colony of ground squirrels.
Rare Plant Species and Communities
The narrow leaf cottonwood riparian forest on the property is very similar to two globally rare plant
communities that are known to occur in the area (Table 2, below). These are named “Montane Riparian
Forest” by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. In addition, the wet meadow on the property is
similar to the rare Lower Montane Willow Carrs plant community.
The Bar /X Ranch is included in the Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area (PCA) which was
identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. This PCA has a biodiversity rank of B2, meaning
that the PCA contains two plant communities that are imperiled globally plus two that are imperiled on
the state level due to their rarity and because they are especially vulnerable to extinction. The PCA
has a management urgency rank of M1, meaning that management is needed immediately to avert
loss of the rare plant communities. See the appendix for a description and map of the PCA.
Common Name Scientific Name
CNHP
Rank
Federal
Status
State
Status
Canyon Bog-orchid Limnorchis ensifolia G4 S3
Common Name Scientific Name
CNHP
Rank
Federal
Status
State
Status
Montane Riparian Forest Populus angustifolia/ Pseudotsuga menziesii G3 S2
Lower Montane Willow Carrs Salix drummondiana/ Calamagrostis canadensis G3 S3
Montane Riparian Forest Populus angustifolia/ Picea pungens/ Alnus incana G4 S4
Plants Species
Plant Communities
15.19Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Noxious Weeds
We observed seven species of noxious weeds on the property. They are plumeless thistle, oxeye
daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare = Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), scentless chamomile (Matricaria
perforata), houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Canada thistle (Breea arvense = Cirsium arvense),
common mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and quackgrass. Canada thistle and houndstongue grow
predominantly in the riparian forest. Plumeless thistle and common mullein grow mostly in upland
areas such as mesic sagebrush shrubland and mixed mountain shrubland areas. Other noxious weed
species may be present.
Plumeless thistle, houndstongue, and common mullein are biennials and oxeye daisy and scentless
chamomile are short-lived perennials that are easy to kill by spot-spraying with herbicide as a short-
term expedient. Canada thistle is a long-lived perennial that sprouts form its root system; it can
be controlled by carefully managed livestock grazing or by a combination of cutting and herbicide
application. However, over the longer term, the best way to combat weeds is to establish vigorous
stands of desirable perennial plants. On the property, this could be accomplished by improving the
soils in the irrigated pastures and applying irrigation water more evenly and by managing livestock
grazing so animals do not overgraze irrigated and dry pastures. We strongly recommend controlling
the noxious weeds on the property. The Colorado Natural Heritage program identified noxious weed
management as a top management need for the Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area.
The Vegetation Management Program (formerly the Land Management Department of Pitkin County)
provides numerous services including noxious weed management. The program implements the
Pitkin County Weed Management Plan, which was adopted in November 1999, to comply with the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act. The Weed Management Plan requires continuing education, as well as
enforcement, to encourage county land owners and businesses to control weeds. More information
about the program, see the Pitkin County web site at http://www.aspenpitkin.com/misc/weeds/
index.htm.
Agricultural Production
The property has significant agricultural value, mostly as a result of irrigated pastures. The property is
managed as a cow-calf operation. During the summer, about 55 - 60 cow-calf pairs graze on a 2000-
acre US Forest Service allotment on nearby Buttermilk Mountain. The cattle move back to the property
in the fall and eat baled hay, which is fed in the pastures. The hay is produced primarily in the South
Pasture, with occasional hay cuttings in the West and North Pastures, all of which are irrigated. Hay is
typically cut and baled in one cutting in late summer (August). In the past, the ranch produced enough
hay to feed all of the cows for the typical winter. Currently, the property does not produce enough hay
to feed the cows for the entire winter; therefore, additional hay is purchased. The calving season is
generally a 30-day period in February. Conception rates in the past several years have been close to
100%. Two bulls service the 55-60 mother cows and stay at the property year-round.
The pastures are in fair to poor condition due to several factors. The pastures are gently undulating,
which means that some portions are not well irrigated. Irrigation was adversely affected by the
construction of the golf course located west of the South Pasture. Soils are well-drained, which means
that irrigation water must be applied frequently to maintain optimal soil moisture conditions for plant
growth. Rehabilitating the irrigated pastures is the most pressing management need for the property.
Wildlife and Fisheries
The property has significant wildlife values for several reasons. The property has a diversity of habitats,
including deciduous (narrowleaf cottonwood) forest communities, shrubland (mesic sagebrush and
mixed mountain shrubland), wet meadow, and improved pasture. The plant communities are in
15.20 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
excellent to poor condition and provide forage, hiding areas, and holes for nesting. The property
provides a wildlife movement corridor between upper Maroon Creek and the Roaring Fork River.
Maroon Creek and the Roaring Fork River harbor cold-water fisheries.
We included a NDIS wildlife species list for Pitkin County in the appendix. This list is derived from the
Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Latilong Database and edited to exclude species that probably are not
be found on the property based on range maps and habitat descriptions in Fitzgerald et al. (1994),
Hammerson (1999), and Kingery (1998).
Large Mammals and Upland Game Bird Species
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemonius) is the primary large mammal that frequents the property. Coyote
(Canus latrans) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) use the property almost constantly, while black bear (Ursus
americanus) are frequent visitors (J. Lifton, pers. comm.). Red fox use the steep rocky areas along
Maroon Creek. Bobcat (Felis rufus) and mountain lion (Felis concolor) probably use the property
occasionally. Blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) also may inhabit the property.
Small Mammals
Several species of small mammals use the property. These include Nuttall’s cottontail (Sylvalagus
nuttallii), northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), ground squirrels, and various mice and vole
species. See the appendix for a list of animal species that are known to occur in Pitkin County and
for which appropriate habitat exists on the property.
Non-game Wildlife-Birds
The Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership and the Colorado Division of Wildlife have published the Colorado
Breeding Bird Atlas. Under the auspices of this program, volunteers have surveyed birds in a priority
block in the southeastern corner of each U.S. Geological Survey 7 ½ minute quadrangle map in
Colorado. A priority block is a rectangle which is 3 miles (north-south) by 3 ½ miles (east-west), or
one sixth of a quadrangle. The property is not located in the priority block for the Aspen quadrangle.
However, habitats in the priority block are similar to those on the property. Therefore, we have included
data for the Aspen quadrangle from the Breeding Bird Atlas to indicate the bird species that one might
expect to find on the easement area.
The breeding bird species that are likely to be found on the property are listed in Table 3, opposite. The 55
species is 31% higher that the average of 42 species for the 1,745 priority block in Colorado, and is slightly
higher that the general area (Kingery 1998). Priority blocks, such as Aspen, that contain riparian habitats
harbor about twice as many breeding bird species as those that lack them (Kingery 1998).
Predatory Bird Species
The Breeding Bird Atlas lists several predatory bird species that are listed as “possible” within the
quadrangle. Of these, the property potentially provides breeding habitat for sharp-shinned hawk
(Accipeter striatus), Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), and red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).
Fisheries
Both Maroon Creek and the Roaring Fork River have cold-water fisheries. Game fish species that
inhabit these creeks include rainbow trout and brown trout. Sculpins (Cottus sp.) are small fish that
might also inhabit these streams.
Rare animal species
The northern river otter, bald eagle, and western boreal toad are rare animal species that are found
locally and suitable habitat exists on the property.
15.21Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Table 3. Breeding bird species which are listed as “confirmed” or “probable”
within the Aspen 7 1/2 minute Quadrangle priority block and for which suitable
breeding habitat exists on the property.
Canada goose
Mallard
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Spotted Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Mourning Dove
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Red-naped Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Gray Jay
Steller’s Jay
Western Scrub-jay
Black-billed Magpie
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
American Dipper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Green-tailed Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Pine Grosbeak
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Table 4. Rare animal species that may be present on or may utilize the property.
Common Name Scientific Name CNHP Rank Federal Status State Status
Northern River Otter Lutra canadensis PS:LTLPDL S1B S3N
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus S3S4 SE
Western boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas G4 T1, S1 FS SE
Birds
Mammals
Amphibians
15.22 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): The adults have a
blackish-brown back and breast; a white head, neck, and tail; and
yellow feet and bill. Juvenile bald eagles are a mixture of brown
and white; with a black bill in young birds. The adult plumage
develops when they’re sexually mature, at about 4 - 5 years of
age. The bald eagle is the only eagle confined to North America,
and there are no other large black birds in North America with
white heads and tails. The female bald eagle is 35 to 37 inches,
slightly larger than the male. With a wingspan which varies from
79 to 90 inches. The male bald eagle has a body length from
30 to 34 inches. The wingspan ranges from 72 to 85 inches and
weighs from ten to fourteen pounds.
Northern River Otter (Lutra Canadensis): The river otter is an
elongate, robust mustelid with a thick, tapering tail. The head is
relatively small and flattened with a shortened muzzle and small
ears. The legs are short and the feet are large and webbed. The
heels of the hindfeet have roughened pads for traction on steep,
muddy streambanks. The webbed feet, powerful tail, and short fur
are adaptations for an aquatic life. The short underfur is extremely
dense and protected by longer glossy guard hairs. Dorsal color
ranges from dark brown to chestnut with ventral coloration pale
brown to silvery. The chin and throat are sometimes whitish.
Measurements are: total length 880-1,300 mm; length of tail 300-
510 mm; length of hindfoot 100-150 mm; weight 5-14 kg. Males
are slightly larger than females
Western boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas): The western boreal
toad is listed as a State Endangered and CNHP critically imperiled
species. Over the last 10-20 years the species has experienced
a decline of more than eighty percent from its historic range.
Unfortunately, scientists are not sure what is causing the decline
but suspect widespread environmental degradation. The western
boreal toad is Colorado’s only alpine species of toad and has been
reported at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 12,900 feet. Boreal
toads have dark, brownish-black warty skin, and white spots on
a light background on their chests. Adults can grow up to five
inches long but are commonly 3.5 inches or less. Generally, they
live 7-9 years but can live up to 20. The toads live in marshes,
wet meadows, beaver ponds, shallow lakes and along streams
in subalpine and alpine areas of Colorado. Breeding occurs in
areas of shallow water with sunny exposures. The willow carrs
and the beaver pond area on the property could harbor western
boreal toads.
15.23Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Improvements
Buildings
The property contains several buildings. They include four residential units, one barn, three sheds, and
two garages.
Fences
The property is fenced along the southern and northern boundaries; parts of the western boundary are
fenced. The eastern boundary is not fenced.
Roads
There is a gravel road (Old Stage Road) that provides access to the property (Figure 2). It runs east
to west and separates the South and West Meadows. There are driveways that service the buildings.
There is also an unimproved road that runs for about 1,500 feet to the northwest from the ranch owner’s
home. This road provided vehicular access to the North and West pastures.
There is an old unimproved road that runs south then east for about 650 feet from the ranch manager’s
house, down the hill and stops prior to crossing Maroon Creek. This old road stops at the point where
an old road trestle crossed Maroon Creek (J. Lifton, pers. comm.). It appears that the road has not
been maintained for many years. There is an unimproved road that enters the property along the
southern side of the roaring Fork River and runs southeasterly along the floodplain for about 900 feet.
This road was graded during construction of the sewer line along the Maroon Creek floodplain. It will
continue to be maintained until the sewer project is completed.
Utility Lines
There is a sewer line that runs under the property, running along Stage Road and then dropping into
Maroon Creek canyon, where it runs generally along the western side of Maroon Creek. We observed
several manholes that access the sewer line. There are telephone and electrical lines that run along
Old Stage Road. There are two other overhead electrical lines on the property.
Farm Equipment
There is a collection of farm equipment on the property. It is located on a low bench that is south of
Stage Road and east of the golf course.
Land Use and Management
Historic Land Use
Since the time of Euro-American settlement in the 1800’s, the property has been part of a larger land
holding that was used primarily for agriculture, including livestock grazing and irrigated hay production.
The property was used for crop production in the distant past (J. Lifton, pers. comm.) and was probably
used for livestock grazing for many years, judging from the deteriorated condition of most of the mesic
sagebrush shrubland plant community.
Current Land Use
The property is now used primarily for agriculture as the base property for a cow-calf operation.
Future Land Use
The City of Aspen has approved a plan that allows the construction of twelve residences with specifically
defined irrigated landscape areas, a cabin and a facility for cultural uses in addition to the existing
four residences. New roads and driveways will be built to provide access to the houses. Agricultural
production will continue on the irrigated pastures, which will remain in their current open condition. The
ranch buildings will continue to support the agricultural activities on the property.
15.24 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Local Area
The Aspen area is rapidly urbanizing due to attractions of skiing, golf, other forms of outdoor recreation
and cultural activities. The population of Aspen has grown 160% over the past 20 years (Anonymous
3). The Buttermilk ski area is essentially next door to the property. The Aspen Highlands ski area is
located about 1.5 miles away, and the Aspen Mountain ski area is about 2.5 miles away. Lands near
property are being developed for residential, commercial, and industrial uses, while lands to the east on
Red Butte are undeveloped. While the property is located in an urbanizing area, it still has significant
conservation values, largely because its irrigated agriculture, its size, and because it provides a
movement corridor for wildlife movement up and down Maroon Creek.
Cultural Resources
Archaeological Search
The Colorado Historical Society reviewed its files to determine if the area (Township 10S, Range 85W,
Section 2) contained known archaeological or historical sites. A historic survey was completed on
06/21/1988. The search revealed four new historic sites, as well as four previously recorded historic
sites.
Open Space Resources
Parts of the property are visible from State Highway 82 where it crosses Maroon Creek on a high
bridge. The property lies next to Maroon Creek and the Roaring Fork River, parts of which are currently
protected by the City of Aspen. The property lies at the northern end of the City of Aspen, which is
rapidly developing. The reduction in residential development on the property, below what is permitted
by law, will help maintain open space in a rapidly developing area.
Much of the area near the property along the Roaring Fork and Maroon Creek has been protected
either by fee purchase as open space or through conservation easements (see Protected Lands Near
Property in the appendix). Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, and the Aspen Valley Land Trust have been
instrumental in protecting these lands.
The proximity of the protected lands to the property greatly increases its open space and wildlife
values.
Management Recommendations
1. Control noxious weeds, initially focusing on plumeless thistle, Canada thistle, and houndstongue.
This would be facilitated by a noxious weed inventory and an occurrence map of the property.
2. Develop and follow a detailed yet flexible livestock grazing management plan if livestock will graze
the property in the future. It is important to move animals frequently during the growing season so they
do not graze individual plants that have been recently grazed. The plan would show where animals will
be located and during what dates, among other things. It would also require either herding the animals
or installing temporary or permanent fencing to control animal access to forage and to prevent them
from trampling wetland areas. The property owner has informed us that it has already commenced work
on such a plan.
3. Improve the fertility and water-holding capacity of the pasture soils. The best way to do this is by
increasing the organic matter content of the soils. This could best be accomplished by ensuring that
livestock feeding in the winter occurs in all parts of the three pastures. This will ensure that animal
manure and waste hay are distributed evenly across the pastures. This would entail using temporary
electric fence to control animal movement. Top-dressing organic matter over the pastures to increase
organic matter in the pasture soils could also be a source of improved fertility, if a suitable source is
available.
15.25Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Report Preparers
Alan T. Carpenter owns a small business, Land Stewardship Consulting, Inc., whose
mission is to provide practical land management advice that public land manages,
agencies, and private landowners will use to improve or maintain the biodiversity and
other conservation values of their lands. Alan has overall responsibility for all aspects
of the business, particularly planning projects, conducting field work, analyzing data,
and writing reports for clients on a variety of land conservation-related topics. Prior
to that, he worked for nine years for The Nature Conservancy where he oversaw the
stewardship of Conservancy fee properties and conservation easements in Colorado.
In that capacity, he participated in strategic planning, prepared land management
plans, developed and implemented plant monitoring programs, worked with scientists
on research and inventory projects, and administered grants and contracts. He was
a research associate for two years at Colorado State University in the Department of
Rangeland Ecosystem Science where he worked on a land reclamation project in the
Piceanace Basin in northwestern Colorado. He has a BS in chemistry, MA in secondary
education, MS in water resources management, and a Ph.D. in range ecology. Alan
has been involved in a number of professional groups and volunteer organizations in
Colorado including the Colorado Rockies Regional Cooperative, the Colorado Riparian
Association, and the Colorado Branch of Holistic Management. Alan has been the lead
author of over fifty baseline documentation reports.
Steven G. Perce started working for Land Stewardship Consulting, Inc. in August,
2002.Steven is responsible for collecting information and creating the various maps and
supporting images that accompany the reports for clients. Prior to working for Land
Stewardship Consulting, he has worked as a project designer in several architectural
firms in the Front Range area as well as in Jackson, Wyoming. While working in this
capacity, he managed projects ranging from the design of single-family homes to interior
tenant finishes. He received his Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University
of Colorado.
This report was prepared by Alan T. Carpenter and Steven G. Perce of Land Stewardship
Consulting, Inc., 2941 20th Street, Boulder, CO 80304; telephone (303) 443-8094.
Information in this report was derived primarily from our site visit, unpublished reports
and interviews with people who are knowledgeable about the property or the area
around the property.
15.26 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Bibliography
Anonymous. 2002. Monthly climatic data for Aspen, Colorado for years 1961-2001. Colorado Climate
Center. Available: 11/02. Internet: http://climate.atmos.colostate.edu/
Anonymous 2. 2002. Colorado Divisions of Wildlife Fishing home page. Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Available: 11/02. Internet: http://wildlife.state.co.us/fishing/hotspots.asp
Anonymous. 3. 2003. Estimated Municipal Population within Pitkin County. Colorado Department of
Local Affairs. Available 12/18/2002. Internet:
http://www.dola.colorado.gov/demog/Population/muniwithin2.cfm
Altstatt, D. K. and D. Moreland. 1992. Soil survey of Aspen-Gypsum area, Colorado. Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Denver, CO.
Bailey, R.G. 1995. Descriptions of the ecoregions of the United States. Second edition revised and
expanded. USDA – Forest Service, Miscellaneous Publication Number 1391 (revised). Washington ,
D.C. 108 pages with separate map at scale of 1:7,500,000.
Bryant, B. 1971. Geologic map of the Aspen quadrangle, Pitkin County, Colorado. U.S. Geological
Survey, Washington, D.C.
Fitzgerald, J. P., C. A, Meaney, and D. M. Armstrong. 1994. Mammals of Colorado. Denver Museum
of Nature and Science, Denver, CO and University of Colorado Press, Boulder, CO.
Galatowitsch, S. 1988. Colorado’s natural vegetation. Unpublished report on file at the Colorado
Natural Areas Program, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, CO.
Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and reptiles in Colorado - a Colorado field guide. Second
edition. University of Colorado Press, Boulder, CO and Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO.
Kingery, H.E. (Ed.). 1998. Colorado breeding bird atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver.
Kropf, Ramsey L.. 2003, Bar /X Water Rights, Patrick, Miller, & Kropf, P.C., 730 East Durant Street,
Suite 200 Aspen, Colorado
Lifton, J. 2003. Conversation between John Lifton, Bar /X Ranch, and Alan Carpenter.
Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS). Internet (11/02. Available: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu
Neely, B, P. Comer, C. Moritz, M. Lammert, R. Rondeau, C. Pague, G. Bell, H. Copeland, J. Humke, S.
Spackman, T. Schulz, D. Theobald, and L. Valutis. 2001. Southern Rockies Mountains: An Ecoregional
Assessment and conservation blueprint. Unpublished report on file at The Nature Conservancy of
Colorado, Boulder, CO.
Sullivan, Mary. Colorado State Historical Society, 1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203-2137; telephone
303.866.3395 (historical and archaeological information for the property)
U.S. Census Bureau. Internet 11/02. Available: http://www.census.gov/index.html
Weber, W. A. and R. C. Wittmann. 2001. Colorado flora – western slope. Third edition. University of
Colorado Press, Boulder, CO.
Wright, K. 2002. Conversation between Kevin Wright, District Wildlife Manager, Colorado Division of
Wildlife, and Alan Carpenter.
15.27Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Appendices
Appendix A: Legal description of the property ......................................................................15.28
Appendix B: Plansheet: Protected lands near the property ..............................................15.30
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County ............................................................15.31
Appendix D: List of vascular plant species observed on the property .................................15.35
Appendix E: Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area .....................................15.36
Appendix F: Aerial photograph of the property ....................................................................15.38
Appendix G: Photo of property circa 1890 ............................................................................15.39
Appendix H: Site Photos taken August 8th, 2003 ..................................................................15.40
Foldout with list and plansheet of photopoints .........................................................15.67
Appendix I: Site Photos taken August 11th, 2003 ..................................................................15.69
Foldout with list and plansheet of photopoints ........................................................15.81
15.28 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Appendix A: Legal description of the property
Bar Slash X Ranch and Stage Road PUD/
Subdivision Property Description
A parcel of land situated in Sections 2 & 11,
Township 10 South, Range 85 West of the
6th Principal Meridian, County of Pitkin, State
of Colorado. Said parcel of land being more
particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the northeasterly Right-
of-Way line of Colorado State Highway No. 82
(Project Number : 0821-051 Unit 1) said point being
the northeasterly corner of parcel number 120,
Project Code 12269 of the Colorado Department
of Transportation, whence the 1/4 corner common
to said Sections 2 & 11 bears N. 10°21’54” E.,
708.68 feet being a found 1954 B.L.M. Brass Cap
in place; thence along said northeasterly Highway
Right-of-Way line N.60°10’52”W., a distance of
178.00 feet to a point on the boundary line of Golf
Course Parcel A, as shown on the Final Plat and
P.U.D. for Maroon Creek Club, recorded on Plat
Book 33, Pages 4 through 15 of the Pitkin County
Records; thence leaving said northeasterly right-
of-way line along the boundary line of said Golf
Course Parcel A the following nine (9) courses:
1) N.01°48’31”E., a distance of 915.83 feet;
2) N.35°31’27”W., a distance of 725.00 feet;
3) N.08°06’25”E., a distance of 762.37 feet;
4) S.88°59’33”W., a distance of 228.21 feet;
5) S.89°08’18”W., a distance of 156.94 feet;
6) S.88°56’55”W., a distance of 144.94 feet;
7) S.88°41’56”W., a distance of 136.14 feet;
8) S.89°42’25”W., a distance of 189.99 feet;
9) N.87°18’47”W., a distance of 5.97 feet to an
existing fence line and fence line extended;
thence following said fence line and fence line
extended the following five (5) courses:
1) N.01°01’58”E., a distance of 203.59 feet;
2) N.02°02’27”E., a distance of 109.93 feet;
3) N.00°19’27”E., a distance of 298.14 feet;
4) N.00°41’53”W., a distance of 62.14 feet;
5) N.02°29’43”E., a distance of 13.40 feet, to a
point on the northerly boundary of that property
described in book 181 at page 320 of the Pitkin
County records;
thence leaving said fence line and fence line
extended N.86°29’41”W., along said northerly
boundary 6.05 feet; to the easterly boundary of Lot
1, Burlingame Ranch Subdivision recorded in Plat
Book 50 at page 89 of the Pitkin County records;
thence along said northerly boundary along the
easterly boundary of said Lot 1, Burlingame
Ranch the following seven (7) courses:
1) N.02°52’36”E., a distance of 165.48 feet;
2) N.00°30’26”W., a distance of 243.17 feet;
3) N.18°16’57”W., a distance of 80.12 feet;
4) N.22°43’41”W., a distance of 384.52 feet;
5) N.00°34’07”E., a distance of 57.52 feet;
6) N.03°02’50”E., a distance of 688.34 feet;
7) N.12°39’27”E., a distance of 105.85 feet, to a
point on the Southerly boundary of parcel 2 Park
Trust Exemption Map as recorded on plat book
10, page 5A of the Pitkin County Records;
thence S.88°15’47”E., along the southerly
boundary of said Parcel 2 a distance of 6.86 feet to
a point on the boundary of that property described
in the quick claim deed recorded as Reception
No. 466499 of the Pitkin County records;
thence along the boundary of said quick claim
deed the following fifteen (15) courses:
1) N.13°50’57”E., a distance of 114.73 feet;
2) N.12°44’56”E., a distance of 284.79 feet;
3) N.12°34’48”E., a distance of 263.95 feet;
4) S.59°34’09”E., a distance of 69.27 feet;
5) 179.45 feet along the arc of a non-tangent
curve to the right, having a radius of 1,000.00
feet, a central angle of 10°16’53”, (chord bears
S.27°38’40”E. a distance of 179.21 feet;
6) S.07°11’09”E., a distance of 50.03 feet;
7) S.21°18’17”E., a distance of 44.53 feet;
8) S.05°31’10”W., a distance of 32.00 feet;
9) S.10°32’00”E., a distance of 45.00 feet;
10) 76.23 feet along the arc of a curve to the left
having a radius of 40.00 feet, a central angle
of 109°11’30”, (chord bears S.65°07’45”E. a
distance of 65.21 feet);
11) S.25°20’41”E., a distance of 42.24 feet;
12) S.35°09’29”E., a distance of 43.07 feet;
13) S.20°30’32”E., a distance of 50.20 feet;
14) S.27°41’19”E., a distance of 17.40 feet;
15) S.04°08’52”W., a distance of 135.85 feet to a
point on the northerly line of Government Lot 7, of
said Section 2;
thence S.88°15’48”E., along the northerly line
of said Government lot 7 a distance of 1033.90
feet to a point on the West Bank of Maroon Creek
as referenced in deed recorded in Book 166 at
Page 481 of the Pitkin County Records, thence
along said deed described above and being 25.00
feet westerly of and parallel to said West Bank
of Maroon Creek the following sixty-one (61)
courses:
1) S.47°16’56”E., a distance of 93.51 feet;
2) S.40°44’00”E., a distance of 99.92 feet;
3) S.43°12’00”E., a distance of 75.48 feet;
15.29Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
4) S.26°40’59”E., a distance of 51.42 feet;
5) S.29°29’19”E., a distance of 82.66 feet;
6) S.44°11’50”E., a distance of 78.16 feet;
7) S.70°00’04”E., a distance of 104.72 feet;
8) S.50°38’15”E., a distance of 27.37 feet;
9) S.01°16’48”E., a distance of 56.82 feet;
10) S.29°58’10”W., a distance of 34.56 feet;
11) S.76°08’32”W., a distance of 43.65 feet;
12) S.00°46’52”W., a distance of 118.50 feet;
13) S.24°51’14”E., a distance of 92.53 feet;
14) S.07°32’08”E., a distance of 36.99 feet;
15) S.52°15’52”E., a distance of 34.18 feet;
16) S.11°19’08”E., a distance of 79.45 feet;
17) S.40°07’51”E., a distance of 160.49 feet;
18) N.82°30’12”E., a distance of 92.23 feet;
19) N.66°41’51”E., a distance of 24.39 feet;
20) S.12°48’00”E., a distance of 170.52 feet;
21) S.06°11’13”W., a distance of 83.10 feet;
22) S.07°05’08”E., a distance of 34.83 feet;
23) S.00°01’32”W., a distance of 45.24 feet;
24) S.18°54’49”E., a distance of 72.69 feet;
25) S.10°58’43”E., a distance of 75.11 feet;
26) S.13°40’31”W., a distance of 47.18 feet;
27) S.04°17’31”E., a distance of 66.15 feet;
28) S.08°20’24”E., a distance of 136.42 feet;
29) S.04°29’56”W., a distance of 65.63 feet;
30) S.05°54’39”E., a distance of 34.46 feet;
31) S.20°50’18”W., a distance of 88.41 feet;
32) S.02°09’35”W., a distance of 28.08 feet;
33) S.53°23’59”W., a distance of 34.41 feet;
34) S.12°35’25”W., a distance of 60.60 feet;
35) S.15°11’24”W., a distance of 30.24 feet;
36) S.14°51’24”E., a distance of 30.10 feet;
37) S.30°36’56”E., a distance of 49.45 feet;
38) S.33°44’33”E., a distance of 31.40 feet;
39) S.25°57’56”E., a distance of 65.95 feet;
40) S.15°52’18”E., a distance of 72.55 feet;
41) S.07°20’49”W., a distance of 27.44 feet;
42) S.45°10’43”W., a distance of 20.69 feet;
43) S.32°45’51”W., a distance of 51.58 feet;
44) S.02°19’30”E., a distance of 36.47 feet;
45) S.08°50’53”W., a distance of 19.54 feet;
46) S.08°15’44”E., a distance of 25.11 feet;
47) S.13°20’02”E., a distance of 27.03 feet;
48) S.31°23’52”E., a distance of 113.34 feet;
49) S.00°17’56”E., a distance of 19.09 feet;
50) S.14°06’53”W., a distance of 60.96 feet;
51) S.11°55’16”E., a distance of 57.16 feet;
52) S.08°07’37”W., a distance of 5.56 feet;
53) N.39°20’13”W., a distance of 21.47 feet;
54) N.86°08’02”W., a distance of 47.08 feet;
55) S.53°19’46”W., a distance of 28.16 feet;
56) S.76°07’57”W., a distance of 36.92 feet;
57) S.12°43’14”W., a distance of 40.76 feet;
58) S.32°41’52”W., a distance of 99.52 feet;
59) S.01°29’59”E., a distance of 44.65 feet;
60) 233.57 feet along the arc of a non-tangent
curve to the left, having a radius of 400.00
feet, a central angle of 33°27’25”, (chord bears
S.03°31’23”E. a distance of 230.27 feet;
61) S.20°15’05”E., a distance of 63.49 feet to
a point on the northerly line a parcel of land
recorded in Book 228 at Page 590 of the Pitkin
County records;
thence N.89°07’44”W., along said northerly line
a distance of 156.24 feet; thence leaving said
northerly line along the perimeter of a strip of
land, described in Book 166 at Page 481 the
following nine (9) courses:
1) N.05°18’15”E., a distance of 234.07 feet;
2) N.06°23’45”W., a distance of 252.08 feet;
3) N.07°28’45”W., a distance of 150.60 feet;
4) N.01°14’15”E., a distance of 175.63 feet;
5) S.89°09’40”W., a distance of 30.02 feet;
6) S.01°14’15”W., a distance of 176.82 feet;
7) S.07°28’45”E., a distance of 152.60 feet;
8) S.06°23’45”E., a distance of 248.72 feet;
9) S.05°18’15”W., a distance of 233.33 feet to a
point on the northerly line of said parcel of land
recorded in Book 228 at Page 590;
thence along the northerly and westerly lines of
said parcel the following five (5) courses:
1) N.89°07’44”W., a distance of 143.39 feet;
2) S.06°13’16”W., a distance of 267.36 feet;
3) S.14°07’16”W., a distance of 112.67 feet;
4) S.11°25’16”W., a distance of 77.29 feet;
5) S.27°06’16”W., a distance of 125.08 feet to a
point on the boundary of the 4th amended aspen
golf course subdivision recorded on plat book
63 at pages 62 through 65 of the Pitkin County
records;
thence along the boundary of said 4th amended
aspen golf course subdivision the following six
(6) courses:
1) N.89°20’26”W., a distance of 3.41 feet;
2) S.21°09’56”W., a distance of 624.39 feet;
3) S.00°24’34”W., a distance of 158.79 feet;
4) S.00°59’34”W., a distance of 84.56 feet;
5) S.06°32’41”W., a distance of 164.07 feet;
6) S.25°03’34”W., a distance of 7.70 feet to the
point of beginning;
Said parcel of land containing 146.005 acres,
more or less.
County of Pitkin, State of Colorado
15.30 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Appendix B: Protected lands near the property
15.31Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County: Page 1 of 4
Species list for Pitkin County, Colorado. This list was downloaded from the Natural Diversity Information
Source (NDIS) and is largely based on CDOW's Lat/Long database.
Occurrence Code
Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Known to Occur Locally Common
Western Chorus Frog Pseudacris triseriata Known to Occur Uncommon
Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens Known to Occur Unknown
Occurrence Code
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Known to Occur Uncommon
Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis Known to Occur Unknown
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Known to Occur Unknown
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Known to Occur Uncommon
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Known to Occur Unknown
Green Heron Butorides virescens Known to Occur Unknown
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Known to Occur Unknown
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Wood Duck Aix sponsa Known to Occur Unknown
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Known to Occur Uncommon
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Known to Occur Common
Northern Pintail Anas acuta Known to Occur Unknown
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Known to Occur Unknown
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera Known to Occur Rare
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Known to Occur Unknown
Gadwall Anas strepera Known to Occur Rare
American Wigeon Anas americana Known to Occur Unknown
Redhead Aythya americana Known to Occur Unknown
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Known to Occur Uncommon
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Known to Occur Unknown
Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica Known to Occur Unknown
Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Known to Occur Unknown
Common Merganser Mergus merganser Known to Occur Unknown
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Known to Occur Unknown
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Known to Occur Fairly Common
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Known to Occur Unknown
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Known to Occur Unknown
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Known to Occur Uncommon
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Known to Occur Uncommon
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Known to Occur Rare
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni Known to Occur Unknown
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Known to Occur Uncommon
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Known to Occur Uncommon
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Known to Occur Fairly Common
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Known to Occur Uncommon
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Known to Occur Unknown
Blue Grouse Dendragapus obscurus Known to Occur Uncommon
White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus Known to Occur Uncommon
Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus Known to Occur Unknown
Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Known to Occur Uncommon
Sora Porzana carolina Known to Occur Uncommon
American Coot Fulica americana Known to Occur Uncommon
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Known to Occur Uncommon
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Known to Occur Fairly Common
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Known to Occur Unknown
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Known to Occur Uncommon
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Known to Occur Rare
California Gull Larus californicus Known to Occur Unknown
Rock Dove Columba livia Known to Occur Uncommon
Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata Known to Occur Rare
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Known to Occur Fairly Common
Flammulated Owl Otus flammeolus Known to Occur Unknown
Birds
Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Code
Abundance CodeScientific NameCommon Name
Amphibians
15.32 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Species list for Pitkin County, Colorado. This list was downloaded from the Natural Diversity Information
Source (NDIS) and is largely based on CDOW's Lat/Long database.
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Known to Occur Uncommon
Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma Known to Occur Rare
Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis Known to Occur Unknown
Long-eared Owl Asio otus Known to Occur Rare
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus Known to Occur Rare
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus Known to Occur Uncommon
Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor Known to Occur Fairly Common
Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii Known to Occur Rare
Black Swift Cypseloides niger Known to Occur Unknown
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri Known to Occur Rare
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Known to Occur Common
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Known to Occur Uncommon
Lewis' Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Known to Occur Rare
Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis Known to Occur Uncommon
Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyroideus Known to Occur Uncommon
Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Known to Occur Uncommon
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Known to Occur Uncommon
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus Known to Occur Uncommon
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Known to Occur Uncommon
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Known to Occur Uncommon
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Known to Occur Uncommon
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri Known to Occur Fairly Common
Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Known to Occur Unknown
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Known to Occur Uncommon
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Known to Occur Rare
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Known to Occur Uncommon
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Known to Occur Fairly Common
Purple Martin Progne subis Known to Occur Rare
Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Known to Occur Common
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Known to Occur Common
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Known to Occur Uncommon
Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Known to Occur Abundant
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Known to Occur Common
Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis Known to Occur Uncommon
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Known to Occur Fairly Common
Western Scrub Jay Aphelocoma californica Known to Occur Uncommon
Clark's Nutcracker Nucifraga columbiana Known to Occur Fairly Common
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica Known to Occur Common
American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Known to Occur Uncommon
Common Raven Corvus corax Known to Occur Fairly Common
Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli Known to Occur Common
Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus griseus Known to Occur Uncommon
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus Known to Occur Rare
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis Known to Occur Fairly Common
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea Known to Occur Unknown
Brown Creeper Certhia americana Known to Occur Uncommon
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Known to Occur Uncommon
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus Known to Occur Unknown
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii Known to Occur Unknown
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Known to Occur Common
American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus Known to Occur Uncommon
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa Known to Occur Uncommon
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Known to Occur Common
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Known to Occur Uncommon
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Known to Occur Unknown
Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides Known to Occur Fairly Common
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi Known to Occur Uncommon
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County: Page 2 of 4
15.33Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Species list for Pitkin County, Colorado. This list was downloaded from the Natural Diversity Information
Source (NDIS) and is largely based on CDOW's Lat/Long database.
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Known to Occur Common
American Robin Turdus migratorius Known to Occur Common
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Known to Occur Rare
Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus Known to Occur Rare
Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum Known to Occur Unknown
American Pipit Anthus rubescens Known to Occur Fairly Common
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Known to Occur Rare
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Known to Occur Unknown
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Known to Occur Fairly Common
Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus Known to Occur Uncommon
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Known to Occur Common
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata Known to Occur Fairly Common
Virginia's Warbler Vermivora virginiae Known to Occur Fairly Common
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Known to Occur Fairly Common
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Known to Occur Common
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens Known to Occur Uncommon
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Known to Occur Uncommon
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Known to Occur Common
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Known to Occur Unknown
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Known to Occur Fairly Common
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Known to Occur Unknown
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena Known to Occur Uncommon
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Known to Occur Unknown
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus Known to Occur Common
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Known to Occur Uncommon
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Known to Occur Common
Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri Known to Occur Uncommon
Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Known to Occur Common
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Known to Occur Unknown
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Known to Occur Rare
Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca Known to Occur Fairly Common
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Known to Occur Fairly Common
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Known to Occur Common
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Known to Occur Common
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Known to Occur Common
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Known to Occur Common
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Known to Occur Fairly Common
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Known to Occur Uncommon
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Known to Occur Common
Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula Known to Occur Uncommon
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Known to Occur Common
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii Known to Occur Fairly Common
Brown-capped Rosy Finch Leucosticte australis Known to Occur Uncommon
Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator Known to Occur Fairly Common
Cassin's Finch Carpodacus cassinii Known to Occur Fairly Common
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Known to Occur Uncommon
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Known to Occur Uncommon
White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera Known to Occur Unknown
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus Known to Occur Common
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Known to Occur Uncommon
American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Known to Occur Uncommon
Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus Known to Occur Uncommon
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Occurrence Code
Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Montane Shrew Sorex monticolus Known to Occur Common
Water Shrew Sorex palustris Known to Occur Uncommon
Mammals
Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Code
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County: Page 3 of 4
15.34 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Species list for Pitkin County, Colorado. This list was downloaded from the Natural Diversity Information
Source (NDIS) and is largely based on CDOW's Lat/Long database.
Preble's Shrew Sorex preblei Likely to Occur Unknown
Western Small-footed Myotis Myotis ciliolabrum Known to Occur Fairly Common
Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans Known to Occur Common
American Pika Ochotona princeps Known to Occur Abundant
Mountain Cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii Known to Occur Common
Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus Known to Occur Common
White-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus townsendii Known to Occur Uncommon
Least Chipmunk Tamias minimus Known to Occur Common
Uinta Chipmunk Tamias umbrinus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Yellow-bellied Marmot Marmota flaviventris Known to Occur Common
Wyoming Ground Squirrel Spermophilus elegans Known to Occur Common
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Spermophilus lateralis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Pine Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Northern Pocket Gopher Thomomys talpoides Known to Occur Common
American Beaver Castor canadensis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Known to Occur Abundant
Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea Known to Occur Fairly Common
House Mouse Mus musculus Known to Occur Abundant
Southern Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi Known to Occur Fairly Common
Heather Vole Phenacomys intermedius Known to Occur Rare
Long-tailed Vole Microtus longicaudus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Montane Vole Microtus montanus Known to Occur Common
Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Known to Occur Common
Common Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Known to Occur Common
Western Jumping Mouse Zapus princeps Known to Occur Fairly Common
Common Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum Known to Occur Uncommon
Coyote Canis latrans Known to Occur Abundant
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Known to Occur Abundant
Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus Known to Occur Uncommon
Black Bear Ursus americanus Known to Occur Abundant
Ringtail Bassariscus astutus Known to Occur Rare
Raccoon Procyon lotor Known to Occur Common
Ermine Mustela erminea Known to Occur Fairly Common
Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata Known to Occur Common
Mink Mustela vison Known to Occur Rare
Wolverine Gulo gulo Known to Occur Extirpated
American Badger Taxidea taxus Known to Occur Fairly Common
Western Spotted Skunk Spilogale gracilis Known to Occur Fairly Common
Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Known to Occur Common
Northern River Otter Lutra canadensis Known to Occur Casual\Accidental
Mountain Lion Felis concolor Known to Occur Fairly Common
Lynx Lynx canadensis Known to Occur Very Rare
Bobcat Lynx rufus Known to Occur Common
American Elk Cervus elaphus Known to Occur Abundant
Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Known to Occur Abundant
White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Known to Occur Casual\Accidental
Moose Alces alces Known to Occur Rare
Mountain Goat Oreamnos americanus Known to Occur Common
Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis Known to Occur Common
Occurrence Code
Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulatus Likely to Occur Unknown
Smooth Green Snake Liochlorophis vernalis Known to Occur Rare
Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer Known to Occur Rare
Reptiles
Common Name Scientific Name Abundance Code
Appendix C: Wildlife species list for Pitkin County: Page 4 of 4
15.35Conservation Easements: Baseline Studies
Appendix D: List of vascular plant species observed on the property
List of vascular plant species observed during the Bar /X Ranch property
site visit on August 8, 2002. This list is not complete and could be
expanded significantly with additional field work, particularly during a
wetter year. Plant nomenclature follows Weber and Wittmann (2001).
Common name Scientific name
Trees
Aspen Populus tremuloides
Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
Douglas-fir Pseodotsuga menziesii
Narrowleaf cottonwood Populus angustifolia
Shrubs
Alder Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia
Antelope bitterbrush Purshia tridentata
Mountain sagebrush Serphidium vaseyanum
Mounain willow Salix monticola
Prostrate juniper Juniperus scopulorum
Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Red-osier dogwood Swida sericea
Rose Rosa sp.
Rubber rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Serviceberry Ameranchier alnifolia
Snowberry Symphoricarpos rotundifolius
Twinberry Lonicera involucrata
Herbaceous species
Alfalfa Medicago sativa
Arrowleaf balsamroot Balsamorhiza sagitatta
Aster Aster sp.
Beaked sedge Carex utriculata
Canada bluejoint grass Calamagrostis canadensis
Canada thistle Breea arvensis
Cinquefoil Potentilla hippiana
Common mullein Verbascum thapsus
Dandelion Taraxacum officinalis
Elk sedge Carex geyeri
Flax Linum lewisii
Fleabane Erigeron sp.
Goldeneye Heliomeris multiflora
Hairy goldenaster Hetertheca villosa
Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale
Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis
Letterman needlegrass Achnatherum lettermanii
Musk thistle Carduus nutans
Nebraska sedge Carex nebrascensis
Needle-and-thread Hesperostipa comata
Orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata
Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare
Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthoides
Quackgrass Elytrigia repens
Red clover Trifolium pratense
Smooth brome Bromopsis inermis
White clover Trifolium repens
15.36 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission
Appendix E: Maroon-Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area
Biodiversity Rank: B2
This PCA includes six occurrences of two globally-vulnerable and two state-vulnerable plant
communities with degraded conditions at lower elevations and higher quality conditions at higher
elevations. The most significant occurrence within this PCA is a lower montane willow carr in excellent
condition. This plant community is known from 19 locations in 8 counties in Colorado. This is the only
occurrence of this particular willow association documented in the Roaring Fork Watershed. A small
population of an orchid subspecies that is thought to be vulnerable on a global scale and is rare in
Colorado was also documented in this PCA.
Protection Urgency Rank: P2
This PCA is entirely on private land in an area that is seeing rapid changes resulting from residential
and recreational developments.
Management Urgency: M1
Management is essential to prevent loss or quality of elements at this PCA. Recommended management
actions include restricted access to the river for recreational activities, exotic plant removal, and a road
maintenance management plan. This PCA includes a small segment of the Roaring Fork River between
Maroon and Castle Creeks and the lower portions of these creeks. The PCA is surrounded by the town
of Aspen, a golf course, and the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. A bike path parallels the Roaring Fork
through this segment and creates a very narrow riparian area. All of these developments are choked
with exotic plant species that are moving into the riparian zone. These weeds should be controlled.
Activities such as fishing and other recreation, should be limited or restricted. The roads and paths that
parallel the creeks/river should not be expanded.
Maintenance associated with these traffic ways can detrimentally affect (i.e., sedimentation,
fragmentation) the aquatic and plant communities. These factors should be
considered in a management plan for this area. Water quality, quantity, and flooding should not be
significantly altered. Management plans should include the hydrology of
the entire upstream watershed that is not contained in the PCA.
Location:
Pitkin County. Small portions of Castle Creek, Maroon Creeks, and the Roaring Fork River are included
and lie immediately west of Aspen.
Legal Description:
T9S, R85W, Sec. 35; T10S, R85W, Sec, 1, 2
USGS 7.5’ quadrangle(s): Aspen
Size:
1137 acres
Elevation: 7600 - 8000 feet
General Description:
The headwaters of Castle and Maroon Creek begin at Castle Peak (14,265 feet) and the Maroon Peaks
(14,014 feet and 14,156 feet) respectively. Both creeks flow northward toward Aspen and drain into the
Roaring Fork River on the northeast edge of town. This PCA incorporates 1137 acres including narrow
riparian zones on portions of Castle and Maroon Creeks and the Roaring Fork River. These riparian
areas support four significant plant communities dominated by blue willow (Salix drummondiana),
narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) or blue spruce (Picea pungens). The highest elevations
of the PCA occur at approximately 8000 feet in two parallel narrow canyons with rocky cliffs and red
sandstone derived soils. At the lower elevations the PCA opens into the Roaring Fork Watershed,
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at 7600 feet. This lower portion of the PCA is degraded and surrounded by residential development
associated with the town of Aspen, a golf course, and the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Roads associated
with the above activities are plentiful and parallel the riparian areas within the PCA.
Natural Heritage Element Occurrences:
GLOBALSTATE
ELEMENT COMMON NAME
RANK RANK
POPULUS ANGUSTIFOLIA-PICEA PUNGENS/ALNUS INCANA MONTANE RIPARIAN
FORESTS G4 S4
POPULUS ANGUSTIFOLIA-PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII MONTANE RIPARIAN
FOREST G3 S2
SALIX DRUMMONDIANA/CALAMAGROSTIS CANADENSIS LOWER MONTANE
WILLOW CARRS G3 S3
LIMNORCHIS ENSIFOLIA CANYON BOG-ORCHID
G4G5T4? S3
Boundary Justification:
The boundary encompasses the riparian communities and a very narrow buffer along the creeks to
protect from direct disturbances. A much larger area, including the full watershed of both creeks needs
to be considered when a plan is developed for the long-term viability of the communities of concern.
Narrowleaf cottonwoods require periodic, above average, floods usually in June for seed germination
and survival. Therefore, it is important to maintain a natural flooding regime.
Protection Comments:
None
Management Comments:
None
Written by: S. Spackman
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Appendix F: Aerial photograph of the property
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Appendix G: Photo of property circa 1890
From the toe of slope of Buttermilk Mountain looking East. The just completed Midland Railway bridge
(still used for State Highway 82) is visible on right. The ranch house and other ranch buildings are right
in the center of the photo.photo courtesy Aspen Historical Society; computer enhanced by John Lifton
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Appendix H: Site Photos taken August 8th., 2003
For easy location reference,
see foldout on page 15.67 containing:
Table A-1: List of photopoints taken August 8th, 2003
Figure A-1: Map of photopoints taken August 8th, 2003
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Photopoint 1
Photopoint 2
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Appendix I: Site Photos taken August 11th., 2003
For easy location reference,
see foldout on page 15.81 containing:
Table A-2: List of photopoints taken August 11th, 2003
Figure A-2: Map of photopoints taken August 11th, 2003
These photos were taken following Aspen Sanitation District’s reconstruction
of the sewer line in Maroon Creek canyon. They memorialize the damage
caused and effects on conservation values.
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Photopoint 1
Photopoint 2
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Photopoint 4
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