Apply to transform free flood-ravaged land in Boulder County into a neighborhood park, garden or picnic area

Boulder County is looking to give away land it acquired after the 2013 floods, but with strings attached.

Until June 30, residents can apply for vacant property the county took ownership of after the 2013 floods made the homes uninhabitable. 

In the years following the 2013 floods, grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development grants were used to buy 45 properties across Lyons, Longmont and Boulder from owners who no longer wanted to live where floodwaters destroyed their homes. The land and homes were bought at their pre-flood market value with the goal of helping owners move on with their lives and get residents out of the floodplain. All structures on these properties, or what remained, have been demolished. According to federal rules, no new structures can be built except minimalistic shade coverings.

“They need to stay essentially vacant,” said Janis Whisman, real estate division manager for Boulder County Parks & Open Space.

While Whisman said the county isn’t requiring applicants to live near the properties, nearby homeowners are expected to account for a large share of applications, potentially to use the land for purposes such as park space.

“These are primarily in subdivisions or areas where they have neighbors nearby. So perhaps a neighbor would like to own an adjacent property and have a larger yard,” she said, but added that “there could be a property where a group would like to come picnic.”

In that case, a homeowners association might consider applying for ownership for a community area. While most structures are prohibited, if the HOA’s interest includes a picnic spot, an open-sided structure like a picnic shade covering is allowed, as long as it’s open to the public.

Applications will first be assessed based on their adherence to the requirements, Whisman said. If someone applies saying they want to build a home on the land, that’s an obvious no. After that, evaluation becomes more subjective. Whisman said that county staff will be looking for the “best open space use” for each property, considering the area that property is in. In a neighborhood, a picnic area might be the best use, while a more solitary location might lend itself to a gardening space.

“We’re also looking for the best stewards of the property,” she said. “We want to make sure they’re managed well.”

But picnic areas and bigger yards are not the only possible uses. Whisman emphasized that the county is open to more unique applications. 

“An historically disadvantaged group of people might not have a place to practice their indigenous farming or indigenous gardening,” Whisman said, “so they might apply for a piece of property.”

The 16 properties currently available can be viewed on the county’s buyout webpage. Interested Boulderites should apply by June 30. If questions arise, Tina Burghardt, the senior land officer for Parks & Open Space, can answer them at kburghardt@bouldercounty.gov or (720) 864-6533.