Boulder County purchase advances long-awaited Betasso trail connection

Boulder County commissioners approved a $1.5 million purchase of 6.6 acres on the east side of Boulder Canyon Drive last week. The land could eventually provide a trail connection to Betasso Preserve, a popular mountain biking and hiking area.

Currently, bikers trying to reach Betasso Preserve need to ride along Boulder Canyon Road past the point where the trail ends to reach the Betasso Link Trail, or connect via nearby roads like Fourmile Canyon or Sunshine Canyon Drive.

The decision comes after a unanimous Oct. 23 recommendation for the acquisition from the county’s Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee.

“This is huge for the cycling community that likes to ride to Betasso and would like to do that without getting on a road open to cars!” the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance wrote following the vote. 

According to the group, the county has been interested in a safer trail connection between the Betasso Link and Boulder Canyon trails since 2010, and initially planned to extend the canyon trail to make that connection. However, budget limitations stalled that effort.

The land also contains a portion of the historic Orodell Townsite, a former mountain settlement populated by miners and loggers in the late 1800s.

The trail plans are still preliminary. Once the county acquires the land, Parks & Open Space will need to determine whether open space uses of the property, including trails, are “suitable” — a process that can only take place after the purchase.

The BMA is already getting excited about expanding beyond a short trail connecting to the base of the Betasso Link Trail, which is steep and technical — a difficult climb.

“With thoughtful planning and design, we can go further: We can create a new trail that has a climbing-friendly grade and tie it into the top of the Betasso Link Trail to make a 2.5-mile singletrack loop open to bikes seven days a week!” their post reads.