HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2022-01-11
January 11, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
5:45 p.m. -Dinner
The Town Board of Trustees will participate in the meeting remotely due to the Declaration of
Emergency signed by Town Administrator Machalek related to COVID-19 and provided for with
the adoption of Ordinance 04-20.
To view or listen to the Study Session by Zoom Webinar
ONLINE (Zoom Webinar): https://zoom.us/j/91077906778 Webinar ID: 910 7790 6778
CALL-IN (Telephone): 877-853-5257 (toll-free) Meeting ID: 910 7790 6778
If you are joining the Zoom meeting and are experiencing technical difficulties, staff will be
available by phone for assistance 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting at 970-577-4777.
6:00 p.m. Thumb Open Space Management Plan Update.
(Supervisor Berg)
6:35 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions.
6:40 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items.
(Board Discussion)
6:45 p.m. Adjourn for Town Board Meeting.
Informal discussion among Trustees concerning agenda items or other Town matters may occur before this
meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
TOWN BOARD
STUDY SESSION
VIRTUAL
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PUBLIC WORKS Report
To: Honorable Mayor Koenig
Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Brian Berg, Parks Supervisor
Greg Muhonen, Public Works Director
Date: January 11, 2022
RE: Thumb Open Space Draft Management Plan
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Update the Town Board on the public outreach efforts implemented, public input
received, and the resulting proposed content of the draft Thumb OS Management Plan.
Town Board Direction Requested:
Staff is asking for feedback from the Town Board regarding the draft Management Plan.
Present Situation:
The Town received a grant from Colorado Great Outdoors (GOCO) to purchase 65
acres of vacant land in May 2021. Staff thanks the Estes Valley Land Trust for initiating
the grant application process. The grant funding agreement obligates the Town to adopt
a Management Plan within one year from the date of purchase (i.e., by May 2022). This
past summer, the Thumb OS trail was improved in specific areas and extended to the
climbing features, thanks to work performed by the trail crews from the Access Fund
and Rocky Mountain Conservancy.
Since the purchase of this land, Parks Division staff have been meeting with a
stakeholders’ group. These meetings have provided valuable information from
representatives of the recreation community (climbing and hiking), neighboring home
owners, and others who have an interest in the use of this property. The results from
these meetings yielded information incorporated into the draft Management Plan. The
Parks Advisory Board (PAB) also reviewed the draft Management Plan and provided
input.
A public meeting was held on Dec. 8, 2021, using the Community Conversation model
provided by the Town’s Restorative Justice staff. Discussions from this meeting focused
on three areas: a loop trail concept, dog walking, and climbing guides. The staff
summary of this input has been incorporated into the draft Management Plan.
Information on the Thumb OS including studies and assessments are on the Town
website at www.estes.org/thumb. Page 3
Proposal:
With feedback from the Town Board, staff plan to finalize the Management Plan and
bring it back to the Town Board for adoption in February 2022. Before this open space
is opened to the community for hiking and climbing, the Parks Division staff have a lot of
work to do, including signage for the trailhead and trail, parking lot improvements, and
community and climbing guide education.
Advantages:
• The Thumb OS Management Plan will provide guidance for balancing recreational
use, conservation, and preservation of this land.
• The Management Plan will provide direction and support for Parks Division staff to
manage the open space activities.
• This open space provides a convenient location for recreation, and supports land
conservation.
• Through this process multiple volunteers have come forward to help monitor the
activities in the OS such as trail usage, parking usage, raptor nesting, trail
construction, and sign installation.
Disadvantages:
• The management of the Thumb OS requires additional work for the Parks Division
staff with no additional staff; however, staff are committed to this project and will
phase the required work as necessary to complete it with existing staff resources.
• Volunteers will have to be managed by the Parks Division staff placing additional
work with no additional staff.
Finance/Resource Impact:
• Park Improvements; 220-4600-462.35-61 Many of the ideas presented by the public
will require funding support. Signage and parking lot improvements were previously
budgeted in 2021 and will be carried over to 2022. Additional funding may be
requested in the 2022-23 budgeting process.
Level of Public Interest:
The interest in the Management Plan is high among those who plan to recreate on, and
those who live adjacent to, this open space.
Attachments:
1. Draft Thumb Open Space Management Plan
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 1
Thumb Open Space Management Plan – Draft
*Cover page
*Executive summary
*Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3
Background and History of the Thumb Open Space .................................................................. 3
The Purchase ........................................................................................................................... 3
Assessments and Reports ........................................................................................................ 4
Amended and Restated Deed of Conservation Easement ....................................................... 4
Property Overview ...................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 1. Thumb Open Space Property................................................................................... 6
Location .................................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 2. Thumb Open Space in Relation to the Town of Estes Park .................................... 7
Vehicular Access and Parking ................................................................................................ 7
Figure 3. Thumb Open Space Parking Areas.......................................................................... 8
Trail Access ............................................................................................................................ 8
Figure 4. Thumb Open Space Trails ....................................................................................... 9
MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT – THE PROCESS.................................................... 9
Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................ 9
Parks Advisory Board ................................................................................................................. 9
Town Board of Trustees.............................................................................................................. 9
EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................. 9
Natural Resources ....................................................................................................................... 9
Environmental Assessment ................................................................................................... 10
Minerals Assessment ............................................................................................................ 10
Biological Assessment .......................................................................................................... 10
Rockfall Study ...................................................................................................................... 11
Visual Value and Property Resources....................................................................................... 12
MANAGEMENT PLAN .............................................................................................................. 12
Desired Conditions.................................................................................................................... 12
Conservation and Preservation ............................................................................................. 12
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 2
Recreation ............................................................................................................................. 13
Education .............................................................................................................................. 13
Management Alternatives ......................................................................................................... 13
Regulated Uses.......................................................................................................................... 13
Hours of Operation ............................................................................................................... 13
Access ................................................................................................................................... 14
Climbing ................................................................................................................................... 14
Hazard Assessment and Impacts ............................................................................................... 15
Figure 5. Thumb Open Space Hazard Map, Aerial .............................................................. 17
Figure 6. Thumb Open Space Hazard Map, Topographic .................................................... 17
Hiking ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 7. Thumb Open Space Potential Future Trail Map.................................................... 19
Natural Resources Management ............................................................................................... 19
Signage ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Visitor and User Management .................................................................................................. 20
MONITORING ............................................................................................................................. 22
Ecological Habitat ..................................................................................................................... 22
Environmentally Sensitive Areas .......................................................................................... 22
Invasive or Noxious Weeds .................................................................................................. 22
Wildlife Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 23
Raptors .................................................................................................................................. 23
Owls ...................................................................................................................................... 24
Bats ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Visitors and Users ..................................................................................................................... 25
APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 25
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 3
INTRODUCTION
Background and History of the Thumb Open Space
On May 26, 2021, the Town of Estes Park (“Town”) acquired five (5) separate parcels of land
(“Property”) from the Prospect Mountain LLC, which collectively comprise the Thumb Open
Space (“Thumb OS”). The Property consists of 65.83 acres. The Property was acquired to allow
for the recreational use of Thumb OS by the public, subject to a carefully drafted Management
Plan to ensure the protection and preservation of natural resources. This acquisition was made
possible through the help of many partners including Great Outdoors Colorado (“GOCO”),
Access Fund, Rocky Mountain Conservancy (“RMC”) and the Estes Valley Land Trust
(“EVLT”) (collectively “Agency Partners”). Consistent with the conservation values of the
Agency Partners, the Town is mindful of its stewardship responsibilities relative to the Thumb
OS. This proposed Thumb OS Management Plan (“Plan”) will clearly describe acceptable public
use that is respectful of the rights of nearby private property owners and safeguards conservation
values.
The Thumb refers to the large rock outcrop on the southeastern side of Prospect Mountain. For
decades this property has been a popular -- but privately owned -- climbing destination which
was first climbed by the legendary Tom Hornbein in the late 1940s. The property now offers
nearly 50 routes with pitch ratings ranging from 5.0 all the way up to 5.13, as well as high-
quality bouldering. The area is also known for its great hiking, trail running and dog walking on
the deeded trail that runs through the property. Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and Twin Sisters can
be viewed from nearly the entire trail.
This Plan was drafted in full compliance with the grant from GOCO and the conservation values
of EVLT and RMC. The purpose of this Plan is to guide Town staff on how the community
would like the Property to be used while preserving and protecting the land, vegetation, and
wildlife with sensitivity to neighbor concerns. Thumb OS is encumbered by an Amended and
Restated Deed of Conservation Easement between the Town and EVLT, recorded on May 26,
2021 at Reception No. 202100062021 (“CE”).
This Plan was developed through a collaborative community effort and will be reviewed and
updated with community engagement as the recreational uses are monitored and evaluated over
time.
The Purchase
In October 2019, EVLT began drafting a grant application to GOCO for funding to purchase the
Property that would become Thumb OS. The Town, as the potential owner of the Property and
grant applicant, partnered with EVLT.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 4
In early 2020, the Town held meetings with subject matter experts as well as Agency Partners to
address acquisition tasks, CE revisions, and GOCO grant requirements. In April 2020, the Town
Board unanimously approved the GOCO grant agreement to proceed with the purchase of the
Thumb OS.
Parallel to initial discussions, the Town solicited and received community input. This included
multiple Town Board meetings, a large public presentation and smaller discussions with adjacent
homeowners, surrounding HOAs, the climbing community and interested community members.
A document that included 80 questions and comments was produced to help respond to issues
raised early in the process. These efforts established the framework for this Plan, and were used
to continue discussions following land acquisition.
Assessments and Reports
Thanks to the participation of Agency Partners, invaluable resources and expertise were made
available to Town staff, all of which were essential to the successful acquisition of the Property.
Assessments and studies that contributed to this Plan include: Thumb Property Baseline
Biological Report dated July 30, 2021, by Collective Ecological Consulting, LLC (“Biological
Report”), Phase I Environmental Site Assessment dated June 15, 2020, by Terracon Consultants,
Inc. (“Environmental Assessment”), Minerals Assessment dated June 19, 2020, by Terracon
Consultants, Inc. (“Minerals Assessment”), Baseline Documentation Report for Thumb Open
Space Conservation Easement dated May 26, 2021, by EVLT (“Baseline Report”)(collectively
“Assessments/Reports”) and the Rock Fall study dated November 29, 2021. These
Assessments/Reports are appended to this Plan and also located on the Town website at
www.estes.org/thumb.
Amended and Restated Deed of Conservation Easement
In conjunction with the purchase of the five (5) parcels that became Thumb OS, and consistent
with the mission of the GOCO grant that provided funds for the acquisition, the Town granted
the CE to EVLT. The CE replaced in their entirety the four (4) prior Deeds of Conservation
Easements: (1) Prospect Mountain Townhome Association, Inc. as grantor to Estes Valley Land
Trust as grantee recorded on January 18, 2013, at reception no. 20130005166, (2) Central
Administrators, Inc. grantor and EVLT as the grantee, recorded on October 13, 2009, at
reception no. 20090069498, (3) Central Administrators, Inc. as grantor and the EVLT as grantee
recorded on October 13, 2009, at reception no. 20090069499, and (4) Central Administrators,
Inc. as grantor and EVLT as grantee recorded on June 19, 2003, at reception no. 2003-0075086
and later amended by an Amendment recorded on November 3, 2003, at reception no. 2003-
0139334 (collectively “Pre-Existing CEs”).
The CE provides a legal description for each of the five (5) parcels acquired by the Town that
were encumbered by the Pre-Existing CEs. The Property possesses significant open space; scenic
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 5
wildlife habitat; other aesthetic, ecological, educational, and recreational values of great
importance to the Town and its people, the people of Larimer County, and the people of the State
of Colorado. In particular, the Property contains many characteristics that provide significant
public benefit, including scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation and enjoyment. The
CE describes these characteristics in detail, defined collectively as “Conservation Values.”
The CE prohibits many activities and uses in order to protect all elements of the Property. The
reader is directed to that document, which contains a detailed description of prohibited activities
and uses (please see Appendix ______ section J. 3.G of the CE).
Consistent with the restrictions in the Pre-Existing CEs, the CE was granted from the Town to
EVLT, the primary purpose of which is to enhance, preserve and protect in perpetuity the
Conservation Values of the Property. This Plan will prevent any activity on or use of the
Property that will significantly impair or interfere with Conservation Values. At the same time,
this Plan will enable the general public to enjoy and appreciate Thumb OS through access to
outdoor recreation and educational activities.
Property Overview
A detailed property overview was conducted by the EVLT, also known as the Baseline
Documentation Report and is listed as Appendix _________. These details of the property can be
found on page 90-133. The Thumb OS property boundary is shown below in Figure 1.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 6
Figure 1. Thumb Open Space Property
Location
Thumb OS is located within the Town of Estes Park and is situated west of Colorado Highway 7
and north of Peak View Drive. Thumb OS includes two iconic rock formations known as the
Thumb and the Needle. These rocks are excellent for children to learn to rock climb and also for
novice climbers seeking to improve their skills. The Property offers nearly 50 climbing routes
with pitch ratings ranging from 5.0 to 5.13, as well as high-quality bouldering. The Thumb OS
also provides opportunities for hiking and trail running and is an excellent venue for outdoor
education.
The location of the iconic Thumb rock formation is Latitude 40º 21’24.85245” N and Longitude
105º 31’0.99789 W. While Curry Drive bisects the Thumb OS parcels, public access is limited to
a single trailhead situated on the north side of Peak View Drive.
The Thumb OS borders land owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and
private properties situated both within the Town of Estes Park and unincorporated Larimer
County.
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The convenient location of Thumb OS (Figure 2) offers accessible opportunities for user
inclusion and equity for individuals and families who may not readily or easily access other open
space areas.
Figure 2. Thumb Open Space in Relation to the Town of Estes Park
Vehicular Access and Parking
The public access trail head for the Thumb OS can be reached by traveling west one mile on
Peak View Drive from the intersection of Peak View Drive and Colorado Highway 7. Parking is
available in the unimproved gravel parking area on the north side of Peak View Drive in front of
the existing green pumphouse. There is space for approximately 9 vehicles to park at this
location. This parking area is owned partially by the Town and partially by the BOR. The public
access trail begins on the north side of the pumphouse and follows an access easement through
private property before entering the Thumb OS.
An emergency vehicle access to the Thumb OS exists from the unimproved northeast end of
Curry Drive, where a private gate marks the Property boundary with the adjacent private
property. While this area has been historically used by the climbing community for direct access
to the Thumb and Needle, it is not a designated public access point. There is sufficient space for
approximately five emergency vehicles to park at this location. See Figure 3 below for these two
access points and parking areas.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 8
Figure 3. Thumb Open Space Parking Areas
Trail Access
The Thumb OS is currently accessed by hiking along an existing trail within a deeded easement
that begins at the Peak View Drive Trailhead, crosses private property, and is clearly signed for a
short distance (“Platted Trail”). The Platted Trail travels generally north and then east across the
Property. During the summers of 2020 and 2021, the Access Fund and RMC completed
improvements to the Platted Trail (Figure 4). Future trail work is contemplated, the specifics of
which may be established after monitoring impacts associated with trail usage.
A separate unimproved social trail provides access for emergency personnel to the Thumb and
Needle rock formations from the emergency vehicle parking area at the northeast end of Curry
Drive at the private property gate.
Please see the discussion below in MANAGEMENT PLAN - Desired Conditions, for greater
detail on proposed future access, parking and trails. These access points and trails are illustrated
below.
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Figure 4. Thumb Open Space Trails
MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT – THE PROCESS
Stakeholders
Stakeholder meetings, the public outreach process and feedback – information to be added
Parks Advisory Board
Parks Advisory Board – information to be added
Town Board of Trustees
Town Board Meetings and Study Sessions – information to be added
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Natural Resources
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Environmental Assessment
The Phase I Environmental Assessment dated May 4, 2020, was performed by Terracon
Consultants, Inc. (“Terracon”) consistent with the procedures included in ASTM E1527-13,
Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Process, attached as Appendix __________.
No Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), Historical Recognized Environmental
Conditions (HRECs), or Controlled Recognized Environmental Conditions (CRECs) were
identified in connection with the site. Based on the scope of services, limitations, and findings of
this Environmental Assessment, Terracon did not identify RECs. As such, no additional
investigation is warranted at this time.
Minerals Assessment
Terracon completed a Minerals Assessment dated June 19, 2020, attached as Appendix _______.
In its assessment, Terracon concluded that Thumb OS has negligible economic quantities of coal
as well as oil and gas resources. The lack of historical or present-day extraction provides an
indication of the overall low viability of these commodities.
The probability of extraction or removal of minerals by any surface mining method is so remote
as to be negligible. Except as necessary for trail construction and maintenance, the exploration
for or development and extraction of minerals of any kind or description, on or below the surface
of the Property, is strictly prohibited by the explicit terms of the CE.
Biological Assessment
To support the development of this Plan, Collective Ecological Consulting, LLC (“CEC”) was
retained by the Town to conduct a baseline biological survey of the Thumb OS Property. CEC’s
objective was to provide information about natural resources present at the Property and make
recommendations for conservation.
CEC gathered extensive data in the field during four site visits in June and July 2021, not only
using sight and sound but sophisticated monitoring devices (for bats), other state-of-the-art
technology and associated software to document all plants, trees, bushes, birds and other
wildlife. The methodology used by CEC appears at pages 2-4 of its Baseline Biological Report
dated July 30, 2021 (“Biological Report”), attached as Appendix ________.
To summarize its field research and monitoring, CEC stated:
The Thumb Property is a biologically diverse piece of land that provides habitat for a
variety of wildlife and plant species. Ponderosa pine woodlands are the dominant
vegetation type with antelope bitterbrush, wax currant, and a variety of forbs and
graminoids in the understory. Ponderosa pine woodlands provide habitat for a large
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variety of specialist and generalist species. Douglas-fir woodlands provide additional
coniferous forest habitat that are more moist and provide other food sources for
wildlife species. Open shrublands and grasslands provide foraging areas for raptors
and bats, and more sunlight allows for a variety of forb species to flourish. Overall,
the habitat quality at the Thumb Property is high and is in good condition. The
Property has very low invasive species cover and the few populations that do exist
should be treated when possible. Appendix ______ at page 19.
The Biological Report identified 11 possible rare plants and fully tracked communities that may
exist on the Property. See pages 6-7 of Appendix ____. Two rare plant species were identified
Rocky Mountain Cinquefoil and Rocky Mountain Phacelia. One fully tracked rare plant
community was identified, Ponderosa Pine/Wax Currant Woodland.
The Biological Report identified 17 possible sensitive wildlife species that may be present on the
Property, but only three of which were actually seen: Peregrine Falcon, Hoary Bat and Little
Brown Myotis. See pages 16 and 17 of Appendix ______.
The Biological Report provides the following general conclusion:
Although the Property is in good ecological condition, recommendations for habitat
improvement are provided for implementation now and in the future, as visitation to
the Property is expected to increase. Introduction of a new trail and opening the
Property to the public may result in habitat degradation, spread of noxious weeds,
and wildlife disturbance. An attempt to maintain and/or improve the ecology of the
site will lessen the impacts of the changes the Property will likely see in the
upcoming years. Construction of the new trails and opening the Property to the
public will likely attract more people, but the creation of a designated path
specifically to climbing areas, the use of signs and maps, and this Management Plan,
will ultimately help to protect resources over time. The new trail to the climbing
routes will help to reduce overland travel to the climbing areas that would otherwise
result in vegetation trampling and potentially harming rare plants found in the area.
Appendix _____ at page 19.
Rockfall Study
The Town of Estes Park (Town) retained Lithos Engineering (Lithos) to provide a rockfall
hazard study for the Property. The purpose of the Lithos report is to present geological
conditions present at the site and discuss concerns related to rockfall hazards.
The project site comprises south, west-, and east-facing sloped terrain. It is bordered by various
residential neighborhoods to the east and south, a residential neighborhood off Prospect
Mountain Drive to the west, and the overlying steep slopes of Prospect Mountain to the north.
The southern and eastern sides of the site roughly parallel Curry Drive, which is unpaved east of
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the Prospect Heights Highlands Subdivision. The site topography increases from an elevation of
approximately 8,000 to 8,100 feet along the southern side of the site up to approximately 8,500
feet along the northern side of the site. There are several large outcrops of granite within the
open space that reach elevations of approximately 8,400 to 8,500 feet, including outcrops known
as “The Thumb” and “The Needle” on the eastern side of the site. Slopes within the site typically
have a steepness of 20 to 30 degrees but are steeper to vertical near various granite outcroppings
at the site. Portions of the slopes have heavy tree cover, and other areas have light grassy
vegetation. The site is undeveloped except for various hiking trails, an unpaved portion of Curry
Drive, and a partially buried water vault structure above Curry Drive in the southeast portion of
the site.
The assessment included a desktop review of geologic data pertaining to the site followed by a
site reconnaissance to observe surficial geologic conditions and potential slope and rockfall
hazards. The geologic conditions encountered during the desktop review and site visit on
October 18, 2021, are further discussed in Section 3 of Appendix________. The rockfall hazards
encountered during the desktop review and site reconnaissance are further discussed in Section 4
of Appendix __________.
The site was broken down into four types of rockfall zones: Low Hazard Rockfall Zones,
Moderate Hazard Rockfall Zones, High Hazard Rockfall Zones, and the Notable Rockfall Risk
Zones (Sec 4.1.1 through 4.1.4 of Appendix ____).
Visual Value and Property Resources
The Property is a beautiful open ponderosa pine forest with large granite rock outcrops and
contains a trail where wildlife and scenic views are enjoyed by the public. The Property is south-
facing and highly visible from US Highway 36, Colorado Highway 7 (Peak-to-Peak Scenic
Byway), and Mary’s Lake Road. The Property provides extensive views of Longs Peak, Twin
Sisters, and the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys.
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Desired Conditions
Conservation and Preservation
1. Conserve the natural resources (i.e., flora, fauna, habitat refuge and connectivity, raptor
nesting sites, view shed) and environment through the responsible preservation of natural
resources, and protect the environment from harmful human activities.
2. Identify existing neighborhoods surrounding Thumb OS to prevent users from accessing
or interfering with private property.
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Recreation
1. Provide opportunities for all age groups and skill levels to experience the outdoors.
2. Provide opportunities to connect with nature for physical and mental health.
Education
1. Provide opportunities for experiential outdoor education for all age groups and skill
levels.
2. Honor the history of this unique open space and Estes Park’s mountain and climbing
culture.
Management Alternatives
Regulated Uses
Hours of Operation
Thumb OS will be open for public recreation from sunrise to sunset, consistent with the other
Town open spaces and public lands encumbered by conservation easements. A permissible
exception is retention of the historical use of the Thumb OS for viewing the Fourth of July
fireworks display. The Town would like this tradition to continue, and will monitor this night-
time use for the first two years to determine what impact it may have on the surrounding
community. The evaluation of the use of the Thumb for viewing Fourth of July fireworks may be
continued, restricted, or prohibited.
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Access
1. Peak View Drive Trailhead – This is the historic parking area for the Platted Trail and is
located on land owned by the Town and by the BOR. The Town intends to improve the
current pump house structure and the parking area. Subject to approval from Larimer
County, it may be possible to accommodate an additional 20 parking spots within the
right-of-way (road shoulder) along Peak View Drive from the pump house west to
Prospect Mountain Drive. Once the Property is open to the public, the Peak View Drive
trailhead parking area will be continually monitored to determine if expansion is
needed. If expansion is needed after the first year, discussions with the adjoining property
owner (BOR and Larimer County) can be initiated regarding this potential expansion of
designated parking areas.
2. Curry Drive Emergency Access – This area is located at the northeast end of Curry Drive
at the gate to the adjoining private property. The segment of Curry Drive serving this area
is an unimproved dirt roadway too narrow to accommodate public parking and access.
New signage is proposed at the Curry Drive cul-de-sac to prohibit public travel on this
unimproved roadway. The effectiveness of the signage will be evaluated during the first
year of operation, and installation of a physical barrier will be considered if warranted.
The existing social trails from the Curry Drive Emergency Access should be upgraded to
safe, sustainable trails that provide first responders with a direct and fast access route to
the climbing areas. This emergency access area and future improved trail could benefit
the community’s younger school age groups and adaptive athletes by providing quick,
direct access to the climbing features.
3. Other Parking – Other areas were evaluated for the purpose of expanded parking, but
none were identified as suitable. It is recognized that there may be negative impacts to
adjoining neighborhoods associated with increased usage and parking for the Thumb OS.
These impacts will be monitored and enforcement measures may be needed.
Unanticipated neighborhood or environmental impacts may be identified over time that
may prompt future revisions to the Management Plan.
Climbing
1. Liability and responsibilities – Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport; climbers and
other users of the open space assume the risks of their activities. The Town is not
responsible or liable for injuries, death or other damage arising from the use of the open
space.
2. Locations – The Thumb and Needle are two prominent climbing areas with multiple
established routes. Local climbing groups and the Access Fund have conducted an
inventory of fixed hardware with the intent to replace and update any unsafe and
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antiquated (more than 25 years old) hardware. Typically, climbing instruction services
and local climbing community members maintain and replace hardware as needed across
the country. These two areas are predicted to remain popular for sport and traditional
climbing. The Town will monitor these and other areas for potential negative impacts to
the Conservation Values due to climbing activities. The Town may develop belay pads,
identify staging areas, and construct sustainable access to routes to minimize these
negative impacts to the Conservation Values of the property.
3. Guided Climbing Instruction – information to be added following the public meeting and
the Town Board Study Session
NOTES: Climbing instruction has been recommended to be part of the Thumb OS Plan
by the Stakeholder Group. Climbing instructors can help keep the area clean and safe,
and promote leave no trace ethics and climbing best practices. Climbing instructors will
be essential for safe participation by school groups, adaptive athletes and first-time
climbers. Historically the area has been used by guides for school groups and private
individual lessons. The Town has no intent to profit from Commercial Guiding at the
Thumb OS. The Parks Division is currently working with the guiding community, the
Access Fund and the American Mountain Guides Association to develop a registration
system that will work for the Thumb OS.
4. Bouldering – Thumb OS has many historic bouldering areas. Some are located along the
current trail and others are located off-trail. The Town will monitor this activity and its
impact to the Conservation Values of the Property. Depending upon impact, sustainable
trails may need to be constructed, off-trail use may be restricted, and some areas may
need to be closed to bouldering.
Hazard Assessment and Impacts
Lithos identified two sources for rockfalls in the TOS. The primary rockfall source are the tall
outcrops of granitic bedrock. The rockfall occurs as discontinuities weather mainly due to freeze-
thaw effects within rock joint systems and degradation of weaker minerals. The secondary
rockfall source are boulders currently located on the slopes that were likely deposited as rockfall
debris. These boulders have the potential to move farther downhill in the future if the soil
beneath them is eroded, or if they are subjected to additional loads. Existing large boulders
emplaced on the slope also have the potential to release smaller blocks as they experience
ongoing weathering processes and disintegrate.
Lithos divided the TOS into four Hazard Rockfall Zones: Low, Moderate, High, and Notable
Rockfall Risk. (See Figures 5 and 6 below)
1. Low Hazard Rockfall Zones – Areas that Lithos considers to exhibit a low rockfall
hazard include slopes below rockfall source areas where sparse boulders were observed
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on the ground and are partially buried and/or lichen-covered, indicative of a rockfall
runout zone that infrequently receives boulders.
2. Moderate Hazard Rockfall Zones – Areas that Lithos considers to exhibit a moderate
rockfall hazard include rockfall source areas of limited height (generally less than 10 feet
tall) with occasional blocks of rock that could become dislodged naturally or via
additional loading.
3. High Hazard Rockfall Zones – Areas that Lithos considers to exhibit a high rockfall
hazard include rockfall source areas of greater height (generally more than 10 feet tall)
with occasional blocks of rock that could become dislodged naturally or via human
recreation.
4. Notable Rockfall Risk Zones – Risk is a product of both a present hazard and the
consequences should that hazard occur. The area that Lithos considers to exhibit a
notable rockfall risk includes moderate to high rockfall hazard areas where a potential
rockfall event could damage existing property and structures below. In the notable
rockfall risk area, preventative rock scaling is unlikely to be feasible due to the potential
for falling rock to impact property below. Engineered rockfall catchment structures, or
professional rock scaling or reinforcement operations may be required to adequately
reduce the risk for recreation-related rockfall to damage existing property and structures
below. However, we understand that the Town does not intend to construct engineered
rockfall catchment structures or perform professional rock scaling operations. Therefore,
we recommend that recreational activity within the notable rockfall risk area be restricted
unless reviewed by an experienced committee on a case-by-case basis, and supplemented
by a structure-specific rockfall modeling analysis.
Based on the recommendation from Lithos, the Town will restrict all recreational activity within
the Notable Rockfall Risk Zone. Signage will be installed in the area to educate users of the
rockfall risks. Monitoring the usage of the area will continue and more enforcement measures
maybe added.
Hazard Maps presented on the next page.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 17
Figure 5. Thumb Open Space Hazard Map, Aerial
Figure 6. Thumb Open Space Hazard Map, Topographic
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 18
Hiking
1. Platted Trail – The Platted Trail through Lot 1 of the Prospect Highlands subdivision will
continue to be the main access point into the Thumb OS from Peak View Drive. See the
illustration of this access point below.
2. Trail improvements – The trail through the Thumb OS has been improved and extended
to the Thumb climbing area. The current trail length is 0.7 miles from the Peak View
Trailhead to the base of the Thumb climbing area. These improvements make the trail
potentially accessible to off-road wheelchairs and two-wheeled electric bikes for users
with physical disabilities.
3. Future Trails – As stated above under Curry Drive Emergency Access, this emergency
access area and future improved trails could benefit the community’s younger school age
groups and adaptive athletes by providing quick, direct access to the climbing features.
This trail could be linked to the Platted Trail that serves the Thumb climbing area.
A future loop trail was heavily favored during the management planning process and the
Town will explore constructing this as a future trail project. The recommended alignment
of this trail begins at the trail spur to the Thumb climbing area, loops north, and
reconnects to the main trail at a point further west (See Figure 7). The trail construction
will use best practices to limit vegetation disturbance, preserve wildlife habitat, and
prevent future erosion issues. The loop trail is intended to be added after the current trail
is fully improved and after the emergency access trail is constructed.
Depending upon future needs, other trails around the climbing areas could be developed
to concentrate user traffic, lessening impacts to vegetation and wildlife habitats and
reducing future erosion effects.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 19
Figure 7. Thumb Open Space Potential Future Trail Map
Natural Resources Management
1. Per the Conservation Easement for the property: The Town shall have the right to plant
native trees, shrubs and grasses on the Property and to undertake weed mitigation
activities on the Property as the Town, in its sole discretion, believes to be consistent with
best practices and the Conservation Values of the Property;
2. Noxious Weed Management – On all Town-owned property, the Parks Division follows
the State Noxious Weed Act recommendations for eradication, suppression, and
containment of all List A, B and C noxious weed species. Weed control efforts are
subject to annual allocation of resources by the Town Board of Trustees.
3. Rare Plants – Through the Biological Assessment, two rare plants were identified on the
Thumb OS property: Rocky Mountain Cinquefoil Hybrid (potentilla hippiana var. effusa
x Potentilla rupincola) and Rocky Mountain Phacelia (Phacelia denticulata). Both are
listed as State Imperiled (S2) under Colorado National Heritage Program’s (CNHP)
listing criteria, but not listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species
Act. While neither needs to be protected under Federal law, the Town will continue to
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 20
treat them as rare and take steps to minimize adverse impacts wherever possible. This
will include avoiding areas for trail construction, transplanting outside affected areas,
seed extraction for growth, and continued monitoring of user impacts.
4. Hazard Trees and Disease Mitigation – The Town will remove any hazardous trees that
are determined as such by the Town Arborist or his/her designee. Other dead trees will
remain for habitat for birds and other animals. Trees that are determined to be infected
with Mountain Pine Beetle will be removed per Town Ordinance No. 08-08.
Signage
1. Trailhead Informational Sign – An informational sign/kiosk will be installed at the Peak
View Trailhead. It will include a map of the property with identification markings, rules
of the open space, hours of operation, Leave No Trace principles, historical information,
and the Town’s Parks Supervisor contact information.
2. No Trespassing Signs – The Town will install No Trespassing signs (at approximately
1,000-foot spacing) on all property boundaries to help inform visitors and warn the public
against trespassing onto the surrounding private properties.
3. Informational Signs – The Town will use trail signage or directional signage throughout
the Property and its trail system to educate the public of private properties, destination
locations, and trail junctures. Future interpretive signage may be installed to inform users
of historical use and or natural and environmental information.
4. Parking Enforcement Signs – The Town will install No Parking signs along the paved
Curry Drive and the gravel Curry Drive sections.
Visitor and User Management
1. Conservation Easement Restrictions:
a. Defacing Rocks – No chipping of rock or cutting of holds shall occur on the
Property.
b. Other Recreation Activities – Consistent with the restrictions of the CE, see page
__________ of Appendix ______, pertinent limitations on Property uses include
no installation of rebar, pitons or fixed ladders to the rock, or use as a via ferrata,
ropes course, zip line, bike skills course, or base-jumping area.
c. Motorized Vehicles – All motorized vehicle use is prohibited by the CE, except as
may be necessary for land maintenance, rescue, emergencies, law enforcement,
and medical assistance of persons injured. Also excepted are other powered
devices used to assist people with mobility impairment caused by a physical
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 21
disability, in accordance with the Property’s adopted Management Plan. See
pages ____ of Appendix _____.
2. No overnight camping will be permitted in the Thumb OS.
3. No open fires, fireworks, grilling, outdoor cooking, or smoking will be allowed due to
wildfire concerns.
4. No drones or other remote control flying devices will be allowed, to protect the area
wildlife.
5. No mountain bikes, eBikes or bicycles will be allowed due to the small size of the
property and the current trail constraints. Both battery- and non-battery powered
wheelchairs are legally allowed anywhere foot travel is allowed in public spaces; per the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II, Sec 35.137. This will include adaptive
bikes, off-road wheelchairs and other powered mobility devices.
6. No discharging firearms, per Town Ordinance No. 13-87.
7. No throwing of any objects such as hatchets, knives and sharp or blunt objects that would
cause damage to the Property’s natural resources, or harm people or wildlife.
8. Hours of operation of the open space will be from sunrise to sunset.
9. Domestic pets are allowed on the Thumb OS trails and parking areas only if leashed and
controlled by the pet’s owner, custodian or processor at all times, in accordance with the
Town of Estes Park Municipal Code Title 7. Pet owners are required to clean up after
their pets. The Town will install and maintain a pet waste collection bag dispenser and a
wildlife-safe waste receptacle at the Peak View Drive trailhead. Pet activities will be
monitored for Municipal Code compliance. The Parks Division staff is authorized to
install signage prohibiting pets within the Thumb OS if repetitive violations of pet waste
disposal rules or other Code provisions are not observed. No livestock is allowed in the
Thumb OS.
10. Human Waste and trash receptacles – Leave No Trace principles shall be followed at all
times on the Thumb OS. There will be wildlife-safe trash receptacle(s) located at the
Peak View trailhead. No restroom will be provided at this time; however, the possibilities
of providing a porta-potty or constructed vault toilet at the Peak View trailhead will be
evaluated over time.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 22
MONITORING
Ecological Habitat
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
1. Rare plant species and noxious weeds – Educate users and trail construction crews about
the appearance of rare plants (Potentilla hippiana var. effusa x Potentilla rupincola and
Phacelia denticulate).
2. Avoid direct disturbance to rare plant populations and sensitive vegetation communities
during trail construction, if possible.
3. Stage climbing equipment away from any occurrences and demarcate the boundaries of
the staging area to limit the area of impact.
4. Reroute trails, if possible, around and away from known sensitive plant populations.
5. Avoid soil disturbance within a five-foot buffer of individual sensitive plants and
communities.
6. Avoid stepping on or setting equipment on sensitive plants or in sensitive plant
communities.
7. Provide directional signs on all trails, to encourage use of trails and discourage off-trail
travel.
Invasive or Noxious Weeds
Invasive species presence and spread reduce suitable habitat for native species including the rare
plants found at the site. Invasive species, such as cheat grass, common mullein, and Canada
thistle, are present on the Property, Biological Report, page _______, Appendix ____. A higher
concentration of invasive plant species is present near the southwestern parking lot. The spread
of invasive plants can be exacerbated by construction activities and increased visitation. Best
practices to reduce invasive species spread during use or construction include:
1. Clean equipment, clothing, shoes and pets before accessing the site.
2. Inspect personal or construction vehicles for weed-contamination prior to the start of
work, and clean if necessary.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 23
3. Limit hiking outside of the designated impact area.
4. Restrict activity in weed-infested areas.
5. Educate the public on the identification of weeds located at the site.
6. Revegetate any disturbed areas with certified weed-free native seed mixes.
7. Monitor weed populations annually to ensure that weeds are not spreading outside current
locations.
8. Treat noxious weeds as needed.
9. Following trail construction, distribute signs and barriers on the property encouraging
visitors to stay on the trail and discourage off-trail use.
10. Coordinate with CNHP or the Denver Botanic Gardens about studying the rare plants
found on the Property.
11. Avoid new construction in sensitive areas, such as the wetland seep, the sensitive
community (Ponderosa pine / wax currant forest), and the native grassland/shrubland
found on the Property.
Wildlife Monitoring
The Town may restrict or close climbing areas or any other areas in the open space at any time
for any reason, including but not limited to raptor nesting, bat roosting, calving or fawn safety,
spring mud season, and other weather-related issues.
Raptors
A raptor monitoring program will be created for the Property using Town staff and volunteers.
Start monitoring white wash areas and other potential nesting areas as early as January and
ideally, monitoring would occur every one to two weeks and would continue into the summer. If
raptor nesting is found:
1. Apply appropriate nest buffers to avoid impacts to nesting migratory birds during the
nesting season.
2. Potentially close trails and climbing areas temporarily that are within the no disturbance
buffers of active nests. Seasonal closure signs should be posted at the trailheads of
affected trails and climbing areas.
3. Record any sightings or occurrences of peregrine falcon before any trail construction or
improvements on climbing features.
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 24
4. Potentially delay construction if the species is seen acting territorial or aggressive toward
construction crews.
5. If possible, gain access to the gated area north of the property to search for a peregrine
falcon nest on the north side of Prospect Mountain.
6. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends avoiding construction activities within 0.5
miles of an active peregrine falcon nest from March 15 through July 31 (CPW 2020).
Owls
Conducting owl surveys at the Property may be considered, especially if the flammulated owl, a
sensitive species, is identified on the property. To conduct surveys, a qualified biologist would
walk a route and play flammulated owl calls throughout the Property with the hope that the
species will call-back. The Property contains good habitat for the sensitive species. A suggested
survey protocol is the Partners in Flight Protocol, which can be found online (Fylling et al. 2021;
PIF WWG 2021).
Bats
Bat roosts identified by Town staff, volunteers, or users of the area should be reported to the
Town’s Park Supervisor. The positive detection of bat species indicates the species are active at
the Property during the summer months. Habitat for bat roosts is present in many areas of the
Property. Further evaluation of where bat roosts are located could be conducted by identifying
areas where impacts may occur and visually monitoring the locations just before sunset for bats
exiting roosts. If an exact location of where bat roosts are located cannot be determined, no
action is required. If bat roosts are identified:
1. Implement seasonal or diurnal use restrictions at known rock crevice roosts during
critical bat use periods.
2. Close climbing routes to recreational use from mid-October to mid-March to protect
hibernacula if conditions are warranted and from early May to late August to protect
maternity colonies using shallow rock crevices.
3. Additional closures from late August to mid-October may be needed if swarming
behavior is occurring. The critical time periods of swarming behavior, hibernation and
maternity activity may vary regionally.
4. Maintain tree snags and downed woody debris on Property to provide habitat for wildlife
such as bats and cavity-nesting birds. Leave snags in clumped or clustered patterns across
the landscape in all forest types to provide roosting habitat for bats.
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) could impact bat populations in the near future, as it spreads
throughout the western US. Precautions should be taken about bat species that may hibernate at
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Thumb Open Space DRAFT Management Plan 25
the site, especially since humans may interact with habitat for bat species, such as rock-climbing
faces. Contaminated equipment could introduce spores to habitat areas and infect bat species
present. WNS decontamination protocols are provided by the White-nose Syndrome Response
Team. Coordinate with the group “Climbers for Bat Conservation” to create a collaborative
partnership between climbers using the Property and land managers, and to gain more
information about bats using the Property (Climbers for Bat Conservation 2021). Encourage
climbers to report bats to the organization by emailing climbersforbats@colostate.edu. Land
managers at the Town of Estes Park may directly coordinate with the organization to gain a
better understanding of bat ecology and ways to collaborate with climbers by emailing
climbersforbats@colostate.edu. Potentially host a “bat outing” with biologists and climbers to
find bats, potentially handle bats, and discuss their ecology and natural history.
Visitors and Users
Managing and monitoring off-trail use and social trail use will be conducted through the
following methods:
1. The seven Leave No Trace Principles should be followed at all times on the Thumb Open
Space Property: Plan Ahead, Travel on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly,
Leave What You Find, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Users, and Minimize
Campfire Impacts. As noted above, no campfires will be permitted on this Property.
2. The new trail extension to the Thumb and Needle’s climbing routes will all but eliminate
off-trail use to individuals looking to climb on those climbing features.
3. There are many social trails from the surrounding private properties that should be
evaluated with potential mitigations measures to include, but not be limited to, closing to
revegetate, condensing multiple trails to one sustainable trail, and monitoring to see if
impacts continue.
4. Currently there are some social trails on the interior of the property. As the property is
fully opened to the public, monitoring social trails will be very important and ongoing. It
will be determined if these trails are intentional to destinations and whether these
destinations are popular enough to add into the trail inventory with construction of
sustainable trails.
APPENDICES
A. Thumb Property Baseline Biological Report dated July 30, 2021, by Collective
Ecological Consulting, LLC
B. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment dated June 15, 2020, by Terracon Consultants,
Inc.
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C. Minerals Assessment dated June 19, 2020, by Terracon Consultants, Inc.
D. Baseline Documentation Report for Thumb Open Space Conservation Easement dated
May 26, 2021, by EVLT
E. Restated Deed of Conservation Easement between the Town of Estes Park and the Estes
Valley Land Trust, recorded on May ____, 2021, at Reception No. ___________
F. Rockfall Hazard Study dated December 5, 2021, by Lithos Engineering
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1/12/2022
1
Thumb Open Space Management Plan
1/12/2022
2
Management Plan Process
•2 Stakeholder Meetings, Started in Jan & Feb 2020
•Thumb Property Purchased May, 26, 2021
•4 Stakeholder Meetings, Sept and Oct 2021
•3 Farmer’s Market Open Conversations
•Draft Management Plan Produced and Posted
•December 8, 2021, Open Public Conversation
•December 16, 2021 & Jan 20, 2022, Parks Advisory Board Presentation
•January 11th, 2022, Town Board Study Session Presentation
•February/March 2022, Town Board Meeting Presentation and Vote
1/12/2022
3
Information used in the Management Planning
Process
•Environmental Site Assessment‐Terracon Consultants, Inc.
•Minerals Assessment‐Terracon Consultants, Inc.
•Thumb Open Space Deed of Conservation Easement‐EVLT
•Baseline Documentation Report‐EVLT
•Baseline Biological Report‐Collective Ecological Consulting, LLC.
•Rockfall Hazard Study‐Lithos Engineering
•Public and Stakeholder Input
1/12/2022
4
Desired Conditions
•Conservation and Preservation‐Conserve the lands natural resources
while protecting the surrounding neighborhoods.
•Recreation‐Provide opportunities for all age groups to experience the
outdoors and connect with nature.
•Education‐Provide opportunities for outdoor education while
protecting the unique history of the open space.
1/12/2022
5
Guided Climbing
•Registration Process was heavily
favored by both the stakeholders and
the participants at the community
conversation.
•Aligns with the Desired Conditions for
Education.
•Increases the ability for
novice/beginner climbers to get out
and enjoy the open space.
Hazard Rockfall Zones
1/12/2022
6
•Brian Berg
•Park Supervisor
•Town of Estes Park
•bberg@estes.org
•(970) 577‐3783
January 25, 2022
• Downtown Estes Loop Update
• Parks Master Plan
February 8, 2022
• Art in Public Places
• Childcare Reserve Funding Policy
• Quarterly CompPAC Update
February 22, 2022
• Northern Water Inclusion Process
Items Approved – Unscheduled:
• Environmental Sustainability Task Force
Recommendations
• Governing Policies Updates
• Downtown Loop Updates as Necessary
Items for Town Board Consideration:
• Estes Chamber Board Introduction and
Discussion
• Renaming Request for a Portion of the
Children’s Park to “Women’s Heritage
Plaza”
Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items
January 11, 2022
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