GPID History
and Current Status
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By 1990, the Boulder County subdivisions in Gunbarrel had almost reached buildout.
Few building lots remained. There were, however, several large parcels of land in Gunbarrel
with residential development potential. The City of Boulder, having decided years
before to not provide water and sewer services to subdivisions in the County,
essentially prevented development of these parcels unless they were annexed into the
City. Two City subdivisions, Gunbarrel North and Country Club Estates, were quickly
annexed and developed. Since this development occurred along Lookout Road, the principal
east-west corridor serving the County subdivisions in Gunbarrel, the increase in
residential traffic was dramatic. Occurring at the same time was a significant increase
in commuter traffic from the east to the City businesses in Gunbarrel. Gunbarrel
residents of the County became alarmed at this sudden increase in City-generated traffic
in what had been a quiet County residential area. They became motivated to do something.
In 1993, the County residents of Gunbarrel petitioned for two ballot initiatives under
what became the Gunbarrel General Improvement District. One was intended to accelerate
road improvements in the County subdivisions in Gunbarrel. It passed by the narrow
margin of 1,275 to 1,272 authorizing the collection and expenditure of $1.70 million for
road improvements. The other was intended to reduce the potential for residential
development in Gunbarrel by purchasing land with development potential. It passed by
the larger margin of 1,511 to 1,191 authorizing the collection and expenditure of $1.90
million for the purchase of open space land in Gunbarrel.
The managers of the District, the County Commissioners, advised by selected County
residents of Gunbarrel, moved forward to accomplish the objectives of the District.
In August of 1994, the District authorized the issuance of $3.6 million worth of General
Obligation Bonds at an interest rate of 5.279% to be paid off over a period of 11 years
(1994 - 2005).
In 1994, the first parcel of open space land, 39 acres east of 75th Street and adjacent
to the Heatherwood Subdivision on its southern and eastern boundaries, was purchased from
the North Boulder 40 Corporation for $294,030. The District this price in full.
In 1995, a second parcel, 76 acres in the south-east corner of Lookout Road and 75th
Street, and adjacent to the parcel above, was purchased from Jafay for $568,200. The District
paid the full cost of this acquisition also.
In 1995 and 1996, a total of $1,673,141 was spent for road improvements in the County
subdivisions of Gunbarrel.
In 1998, the 39 acre parcel at the north-east corner of Jay and Spine Roads was purchased
from Jim Postal/James Construction Company for $570,280. The District paid the full price.
In 2002, a 36 acre parcel north of Jay Road between 63rd and 75th Streets was purchased
from Coen for $680,000. The District paid $300,000; Boulder County paid $380,000.
In early 2003, a 38 acre parcel adjoining the Coen property was
purchased from the Johnson Trust for $785,170. The district paid $300,000; Boulder County
paid 485,170.
In late 2007, a 28 acre parcel adjacent to the James Construction property was purchased from
the Churchill family for $700,000. The District paid $259,536. Boulder County paid the balance,
$440,464. This purchase exhausted the funds of the District.
All six acquisitions are being managed by the Boulder County Parks and Open Space program and are
currently held as agricultural leases.
In 1999, the name of the District was changed to the Gunbarrel Public Improvement
District to comply with a new state statute addressing this type of district.
The accompanying map shows both the tax boundaries of the district (essentially the
county land in Gunbarrel) and the property acquisitions.
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page updated 1/11/08
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