Advocacy-public lands-resources

If you are disappointed that the County Commissioners and Boulder County Open Space Advisory Committee made the decision to cancel the availability of the indoor arena for all horse riders on Wednesdays during the winter, you can voice your concerns regarding this decision and encourage them to reconsider.  Previously the indoor arena was open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for horse riding from November through April to anyone. This was a great resource for the equine community during the winter months, especially for those without access to an indoor arena, and it was in keeping with the Parks & Open Space Mission to conserve agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect community values.This decision to cancel was recommended by fairgrounds staff and approved by both POSAC and the county commissioners.Here are important ways to share your comments: #1: Boulder County Commissioners: Sign up to comment at a public comment session. Area equestrians are coordinating to attend this upcoming County Commissioners Meeting:May 1st 9 amBoulder County Courthouse1325 Pearl Street, Boulder.Can’t make that date? Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend any monthly public comment sessions to speak on any issue of county concern. There’s also the option to attend/comment on Zoom, but you must sign up by following the link below. The public comment sessions typically occur on the first Thursdays but follow the link to double check dates and times.You are also encouraged to email the commissioners at any time. SIGN-UP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC MEETING EMAIL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS #2: Boulder County Open Space Advisory Committee:Sign up to attend a POSAC meeting

By Carmen Porter, BCHA Board Member & Fun Show Committee Chair For many years, the Boulder County Fairgrounds offered public sessions from November through April, which was a wonderful but unfortunately underutilized opportunity for the equestrian community to bring their horses to the indoor arena to practice for the low cost of $5/horse.  With the recently approved updated Boulder County Fairgrounds Policy Manual, all those public sessions have been cancelled. If you were one of the users who took advantage of this, it is a big loss, as there is no other  indoor public arena opportunity for practice.  Some of you may not have been aware that public sessions at the indoor arena existed and might have used them if you knew.  Every year we try to remind the equestrian community about public sessions, but this year when we contacted the fairgrounds office to confirm the dates, we were informed that the public sessions have been cancelled. Traditionally, the public sessions consisted of Tuesday evening roping, Wednesday all day open riding, Thursday evening barrel racing (as well as a day in the exhibit building set up for dog agility course practice).  The cancellation of all these public events was proposed in the presentation of the updated fairgrounds policy manual to Boulder County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee at their meeting held on May 23.  POSAC advises staff and the county commissioners on management of county Open Space properties, and the fairgrounds are one of those facilities.  As such, POSAC has quite an influence on decisions