Vacant land in the city is not always Open Space

I was recently reminded of the confusion over Open Space land designations in the city. Often, opponents of development grab the generic term, “open space” and weaponize it. The goal of such misinformation is to misuse a term near and dear to many to generate support for opposing a project.

In an article in the Boulder Daily Camera from 2018, Shay Castle states that not all undeveloped land is city Open Space. According to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive

Plan, three OS categories exist. OS-A: lands already acquired by the city/county for open space. OS-DR: privately owned land with development restrictions. And then there is OS-O (Open Space-other).

The article states that much land under this designation within Boulder is already developed. OS-O is not designated public open space and is often privately held. A good example of this is the CU

South private property.

Opponents of the CU South annexation, approved by council last year, continue to promote the idea that OS-O land owned by the university should be treated as OS-A or worse: That it is already city Open Space. It is not. But it will be if the annexation agreement remains in place and adds 119 acres to city

Open Space.

Repealing the annexation agreement will only ensure these university lands remain privately held. In addition, the approved CU South annexation agreement paves the way for critical flood protection by donating acreage for flood mitigation. Repealing the annexation is a terrible outcome for those who care about the city and the safety of their neighbors. Vote no on this delaying referendum!

— David Mcguire,

Westminster