Broomfield Proposes Urgent $500K Purchase for Golf Course Water

UPDATE: Broomfield officials have just announced a critical plan to spend $500,000 to secure water rights vital for maintaining stormwater drainage at the Eagle Trace Golf Course, which is facing severe water access issues. This urgent move comes as the golf course, located at 1200 Clubhouse Drive, will lose its irrigation water on November 1, 2024.

In a recent update to the City Council, Jennifer Hoffman, Broomfield’s city and county manager, confirmed that the city is not seeking these water rights for golf course irrigation purposes, but rather to uphold the integrity of the stormwater drainage system that has operated for nearly 40 years.

Broomfield’s officials previously opted against purchasing these rights in 2024, deeming them “overvalued” at approximately $4 million. However, with the impending loss of water access, the city is reevaluating its options. The reservoirs in question, known as Nissen Reservoirs No. 1 and 2, are essential for the golf course’s irrigation, supplied by two historical sources: the Marshall shares and the Clear Creek water right.

The urgency of the situation escalated after the private owner of the golf course, Owl Creek Investments, acquired the water rights last year. Although the course has been leasing water back for irrigation, the lease will expire next November, compelling the golf course to find alternative solutions or face operational challenges.

The Eagle Trace golf course is surrounded by hundreds of homes, drawing significant concern from local residents. Bruce Erley, president of the Eagle Trace Homeowners Association, detailed that a new nonprofit organization, the Eagle Trace Community Development Corporation, is actively working to secure the future of the course. The corporation’s goal is to acquire the land from current owner Miles Scully and maintain it as a golf course, although without guaranteed irrigation water, the future remains uncertain.

Erley explained that the options for sourcing water post-2024 include securing it through the FRICO ditch or possibly drilling a well. The costs associated with these options are yet to be determined.

As Broomfield moves forward with the proposed $500,000 acquisition, residents and local leaders are closely monitoring the developments. The situation at Eagle Trace Golf Course highlights the critical intersection of water rights and local community resilience, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate action to ensure continued access to water resources.

Stay tuned for further updates as Broomfield’s plans unfold and the future of Eagle Trace hangs in the balance.