By Mary Butler
Camera Staff Writer

SUPERIOR — The rolling prairie west of the town's newest homes could remain an untouched field if Superior leaders Tuesday decide that preserving it is more important than developing part of the land for future sales and property taxes.

"I'm obviously for keeping it open," said Russ Nelson, whose back yard overlooks the 180 acres that Broomfield-based Level 3 Communications Inc. wants to sell as open space to Boulder's city and county governments.

The town's abundance of green space was one of the reasons Nelson and his fiancee, Holly Sterrett, this spring decided to move to their Rock Creek home from Aurora.

Much of the land will remain protected regardless of what decision town leaders make, as only one-third of the property, about 60 acres, was ever planned for development. Still, there's now an opportunity to save all of the ridge line as part of a $6 million agreement between Level 3 and both Boulder city and county.

But first, town leaders, who will consider the deal at Tuesday's 7 p.m. board meeting, must agree to the sale.

The decision, said Town Trustee Larry Kock, is one that could jeopardize Superior's financial future and quality of life.

"We've got to be extremely cautious," Kock said.

Superior's primary source of income for years, building fees from the development of the 4,000-home Rock Creek Ranch, has dwindled as the neighborhood approaches completion. Town leaders are continually seeking ways to replace that money with sales and property taxes — and Level 3's plan to build 1 million square feet in office space at the site was hoped to bring more such income.

However, Level 3 no longer plans to build on the property, and town leaders must weigh whether it's worth the financial consequences, an estimated $45 million through 2022, to save what's left of a scenic vista on the edge of town.

"From my point of view, that's a lot of money," Assistant Town Manager Jason Stilwell said. "And this town is pretty taxed as it is. I'm not of what other areas we'd have to make that up."

Town Trustee Andrew Muckle, however, said he wonders if the town's recently approved 0.3 percent sales- and use-tax, which generates an estimated $260,000 a year for open space, could be put toward offsetting the costs of allowing the city and county of Boulder to buy all of the land.

"Our finances are very tight, and the open space sales tax dollars could allow us to keep the entire parcel open," Muckle said.

Contact Mary Butler at butlerm@thedailycamera.com or (303) 473-1390.

May 27, 2002

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