Heal the Land; Heal the People

This Concept Plan envisions a healing place for all: community members, visitors, wildlife and natural ecosystems.

In July 2022, Open Space and Mountain Parks staff began collaborating with Tribal Representatives from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe to understand their desired long-term relationship with this site. This concept plan provides a broad foundation for how the city - with continuing guidance from Tribal Representatives - will steward land where Fort Chambers likely stood.

Recommendations are illustrated on the concept plan graphics PDF and are described below. Key elements include:

  1. Ecological Restoration: To heal the land from past land uses and improve ecological health.

  2. Healing Trail: Indigenous plantings, interpretive elements and program areas provide places for education, reflection, healing and gathering.

  3. Visitor Access: An entrance drive leads to a parking area with a bus drop-off to support visitors and provide site access.

  4. Farmstead improvements: To support ongoing agriculture including diversified vegetable farming and irrigated hay fields - recommendations include restoration of the historic Queen Anne style house and existing farm structures.
Concept plan map showing existing site features and the locations of recommended plan elements.

1. Ecological Restoration

Heal the land from past land uses and improve ecological health. Existing wetland areas and site vegetation support a variety of wildlife. A large-scale restoration project along the Boulder Creek corridor is recommended to improve ecological health, restore ponds that were left from gravel mining, remove berms to reconnect the floodplain and create high quality wetlands that support native wildlife. Restoration efforts could potentially extend to neighboring properties. Trash, debris and noxious weed removal is also recommended.

A gravel pond filled with water and surrounded by Russian olive trees (a noxious weed) in need of restoration

2. A Healing Trail

Create educational elements, indigenous plantings and spaces for reflection, healing and gathering. The pictures shown below are examples of the types of elements and features that could be included to support visitors and share the history of the site and its connection to the Sand Creek Massacre.

A person standing in front of an educational sign along a gravel trail
A person walking with a person using a wheelchair on an accessible, gravel trail

3. Visitor Access

An entrance drive leads to a parking area with a bus drop-off for public access. Two access drive options are currently being evaluated. Bathroom facilities could also be installed to support visitor use.

Access improvements map; details provided in caption

An enlarged map of the visitor access and parking lot areas shows paths, driveways, a bus parking/drop-off space and a potential restroom with 2 uni-sex stalls. Fencing separates the agricultural production area from visitor use. 

4. Farmstead Improvements

Support ongoing agricultural operations. This site has a long history of agriculture that dates back to 1862. The irrigated fields are uniquely suited to support diversified vegetable farming due to its fertile soils, irrigation water and farm structures. The Concept Plan includes recommendations to preserve and enhance existing agricultural uses and repairing existing farm structures.

Rows of vegetables growing in the agricultural production area. The historic Queen Anne style house and farmstead structures are in the background to the north

Recommendations include repairing and restoring the historic Queen Anne style house that once served as the Boulder County Poor Farm. The house would support an agricultural tenant with educational opportunities explored as a secondary use.

The existing barn on the Fort Chambers / Poor Farm property
An existing agricultural structure on the Fort Chambers / Poor Farm site with hay bales in front

Appreciation and Gratitude

The City of Boulder thanks Tribal Representatives from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Northern Arapaho Tribe and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe for providing guidance on their desired long-term relationship with the land and shaping this collaborative stewardship plan. Learn more about city work to develop the concept in collaboration with Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribal Representatives.

The city and Arapaho and Cheyenne Tribal Representatives thank community members for sharing their input on the draft concept plan.