Ten Eyck Claim:  Only a few houses can be seen from 93 highway. The reality: Both their site plan and their own computer model indicate many houses would be seen from SH 93. In addition to the SH 93 view, the Ten Eycks never mention the negative visual impact of the 60+ houses that will be seen when driving along the scenic Highway 72 route into Coal Creek Canyon. Given the tree removal that will be required to build in the wildfire red zone (extreme wildfire danger), the public's view will change from the current natural beauty to tacky/urban, with houses and road cuts being the prominent visual features on Coal Creek Peak. Water limitations and severe weather will severely limit any alleged attempts to use newly planted vegetation to hide what cannot be hidden. Unless the developer plans to prohibit the use of lights, all the proposed homes will be quite visible at night, and sun reflections on windows, etc., will be seen during the day.
Ten Eyck Claim:  Arvada taxpayers will pay nothing for the Ten Eyck development. City water is being supplied to this development, taking away from water needed for present residents. Diana Ten Eyck states in a June 4, 2002 Denver Post article that "We'd still rather do it [the development] with Arvada due to the availability of the water and sewer." She goes on to say they would pay for it. But a recent Jefferson Center Metropolitan District document clearly states that city taxpayers will pay. "Water facilities and service arrangements to the entire Service Area will be provided by the District in coordination with the City of Arvada. The District and/or City will acquire water rights and build the water facilities for the Service Area [includes Ten Eycks]. It is anticipated that, following acceptance by the City, the City will own, operate and maintain the potable and non-potable water system." There is no reason to believe that the plan for sewer service to the property would not also require city taxpayers to pay. In addition, road maintenance, police, fire protection, etc. will be provided by the City. The City historically has promised no taxpayer impact from new development, but in the final analysis paid many of the development and ongoing costs, breaking its promise to city taxpayers time after time. Just recently, residents were charged new fees to cover waste water treatment costs, and both fire and recreations districts asked for increased monies. The City is now asking for more taxes for road projects. Clearly, development is requiring more services and is not paying its way. Residential development does not pay its own way. If it did, considering all the housing developments Arvada has, the city would be rich. Instead, it continues to talk about the need for more commercial tax base. Property tax income from the 90 houses in this project will only yield a few hundred dollars, not the one hundred million dollar windfall claimed by Ten Eyck supporters.
Ten Eyck Claim:  The mountain backdrop has already been marred by houses, so why criticize Ten Eycks? Some of the development that has taken place was based on 1960’s ideas. That development did not anticipate encroaching over-development of Colorado’s scenic resources. We know better now and should learn from past mistakes, not repeat them. In spite of these oversights of forty years ago, the scenic rural character of this beautiful area has somehow been maintained. The few houses presently visible along the mountain backdrop are situated on much larger parcels than the one-half acre lots planned for this urban-style development. Because of past planning errors and recognition that open space benefits both the economy and the quality of life, the Five-County Mountain Backdrop project was started in 1996. The Ten Eyck property is directly within the mountain backdrop area they identified and development of this kind is totally inconsistent with the principles laid out by this project. Arvada should not allow this development to go forward because it would violate statements made by public officials that the mountain backdrop must be preserved.
Ten Eyck Claim:  Area residents (outsiders) have no right to get involved in this Arvada issue. Yes they do. Since the Ten Eycks plan to use water wells (in addition to Arvada water) to landscape and beautify the development, they will be taking precious groundwater needed by area residents for their basic household needs. In this arid area, use of ground water for landscaping is considered a frivolous use of a very limited resource. In addition, they want our volunteer fire department to serve these homes. Our volunteer department is small, and housing developments of this size and density in the red fire hazard zone could diminish service to other residents and greatly increase the risk of wildfires spreading to the surrounding area from the steep slopes where the development is planned. A development of this size could easily add 1,000 vehicle trips per day to the highway used by area residents. Property values of surrounding private property would be affected, and the adjacent public open space lands would be marred by urbanization of this scenic rural area, paid for and used by many residents of the state. Clearly, homeowners not living in Arvada would be negatively impacted by this development, and they have a legal right to object to it.
Ten Eyck Claim:  The Ten Eyck's personal and property rights are being taken away. When land is purchased, there are no guarantees given that the owner will make a profit on his investment. The Colorado Supreme Court recently made such a ruling. Their purchase of land zoned agricultural can still be used following regulations governing that zoning. The developer is using the city government to avoid the county's community plan for this area. Speculative purchases are just that. People who live in the nearby area also have property rights. Shouldn't people who have lived in an area and paid taxes for years on their property have a say in what happens in their neighborhood?
Ten Eyck Proponents Claim:  We have plenty of open space already. A recent statewide land-use survey indicated that support for more open space is high. In fact, if there were a ballot issue this November to dedicate up to $50 million in state revenue to purchase open space around the state, 72 percent of likely voters would support it. The City of Arvada signed the Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Agreement to preserve the beautiful front range scenery. The Ten Eyck property is planned for development on Coal Creek Peak - a critical preservation land in the mountain backdrop. The Arvada Planning Commission voted against this development 0-6.

Arvada citizens have formed "Arvadans Protecting the Mountain Backdrop" to lead the petition effort and the referendum election campaign. To volunteer or contribute please contact: Website: Arvadans Protecting the Mountain Backdrop
Telephone: 303-425-0419
E-mail: saveparks@aol.com Colorado residents know how important the natural environment is to our quality of life, to our spiritual well-being, and to our future prosperity. We will need to work hard to let the entire metro area know how determined we are to preserve our Mountain Backdrop. For a map of the affected area, see http://www.friendsofthefoothills.com/map/map.asp
CONTACTS Arvadans Protecting the Mountain Backdrop
Hildegard Hix, Chair: 303-422-3893 Sierra Club - Rachel Carson Group
Dave Chandler, Chair: 303-424-9897
editordave@aol.com Friends of the Foothills
Tom Hoffman, President: 303-642-1233
foothill@peakpeak.com

Rocky Flats will be preserved as a wildlife refuge Dec 17, 2001. Today Colorado U. S. Senator Wayne Allard and Second District Representative Mark Udall gathered with representatives of local citizen groups along with federal, state, and local officials to celebrate their accomplishment of preserving Rocky Flats as a wildlife refuge following the

Second District Representative Mark Udall, Jefferson County Commissioner Pat Holloway and U.S. Senator Wayne Allard

site's cleanup and closure in 2006. The refuge became official when Congress last week approved the legislation almost unanimously. The president is expected to sign the bill before Christmas. The Friends of the Foothills have worked hard to let our elected officials know that this future use for Rocky Flats had strong citizen support. Representative Udall recognized the support from the Friends of the Foothills in his remarks. The initial legislation was first introduced by Rep. Udall (D) in 1999 as proposed open space. Later, Senator Allard joined the effort and additionally proposed that the site be preserved as a wildlife refuge. There was initial resistance and active opposition to the bill by interests wanting to see development on the former nuclear weapons site. We wish to thank Senator Allard and Representative Udall and their staff members who worked so hard for the last two years to make this dream a reality. We also thank all of the citizens and Friends of the Foothills who wrote letters, attended meetings, contributed financial support, etc., because without the strong citizen support, this would have never happened. Tom Hoffman and Doris DePenning represented the Friends of the Foothills at just about every meeting and event that was held on this issue. Tom tells us that Doris bore the majority of the burden and was masterful in her ability to keep the elected officials informed of what our people were

The new Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge with Eldorado Mountain in the background.

thinking and updated on the facts when the opposition's spin got off base. We see this as a big step forward in preserving an area that is truly a "crown jewel" of natural open lands. However, there are still several major threats to preserving the important lands in the area adjacent to Rocky Flats. Most immediate are the Pinnacle Towers proposal for Eldorado Mountain and Arvada's Ten Eyck housing subdivision on Coal Creek Peak at the entrance to Coal Creek Canyon. Please help us - we can still stop these poorly conceived threats our mountain backdrop. Send your check to Friends of the Foothills, PO Box 7002, Golden, CO 80403. Also, volunteers are needed to enter names and addresses into our data base. We need people who have a pc with Microsoft Access. E-mail us if you will help. Have you filled out and sent in a post card opposing the Pinnacle Tower proposal? Have you gotten others (especially Jefferson County citizens) to fill out and send in post cards? If not, e-mail us your name and address and we will send you the necessary materials. On behalf of the Friends of the Foothills, thank you for your support and have happy holiday season. Friends of the Foothills, foothill@peakpeak.com

Strip Mining Rocky Flats a Real Danger
Another Attack on Eldorado "A year after its defenders fought off a proposed rock mine, Eldorado Canyon State Park confronts another threat to its magnificent views and irreplaceable serenity." See full story: "Oh, to save Eldorado" - Denver Post 01/23/01

The open space character of the Rocky Mountain backdrop is an important esthetic and economic asset for communities along the Front Range, making them attractive locations for homes and businesses.

Elk herd moving north in shadow of Eldorado Mountain
(more pictures)

Rapid population growth in the northern Front Range area of Colorado is increasing recreational use of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and is also placing increased pressure for development of other lands within and adjacent to that national forest. Efforts by local governments and other entities have provided important protection for portions of this mountain backdrop, especially in the northern Denver metropolitan area. However, some portions of the mountain backdrop in this part of Colorado remain unprotected and are at risk of losing their open space qualities. A bill originally introduced by Second District Representative Mark Udall in the 107th Congress seeks ways to preserve these valuable Colorado open space assets. Since this bill has not yet passed, it deserves your attention and support to help it advance.

Two recent articles in Colorado newspapers on the importance of preserving the beauty of the Mountain Backdrop: