Agenda Date: 05/26/2026
Subject:
Title
High Line Canal Update
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
Suzanna Fry Jones, CEO, High Line Canal Conservancy |
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Gini Pingenot, Director of Open Spaces, Arapahoe County |
PURPOSE:
The High Line Canal Conservancy and Arapahoe County Open Spaces will provide an update on the status of the High Line Canal. This update will include an overview of the transition of ownership to Arapahoe County and anticipated next steps for municipalities between 2027-2029.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
On June 12, 2024, Denver Water transferred ownership of 45 miles of the High Line Canal to Arapahoe County. This includes the entire canal within Arapahoe and Adams Counties, and the majority of Denver County east of I-25. This property transfer did not include the High Line Canal within Douglas County, which is still within Denver Water’s ownership. The transfer includes a conservation easement held by the High Line Canal Conservancy that will permanently protect the Canal as a natural open space for the region.
Since the transfer, Arapahoe County leadership continues to work with Denver Water, the High Line Canal Conservancy, and local government and special district partners to determine process and procedures for trail and canal maintenance.
As part of the ownership transition, Denver Water and the High Line Canal Conservancy created a Stewardship Fund to help financially support the long-term maintenance of the canal corridor. While this endowment will provide another source of funding for maintenance, it will not be sufficient on its own to address the continuous needs of the property or the more urgent work needed to improve its condition.
Littleton along with the other thirteen jurisdictions and special district partners continue to work actively to understand both the needs and costs associated with tree pruning, hazardous tree removal, trail resurfacing and replacement, and other stewardship work. With the support of the Conservancy, the jurisdictions and special district partners have advanced the natural resource and stormwater studies needed to help understand the property’s dynamic management needs into the future.
As the city develops its service agreement with South Suburban Parks and Recreation District (SSPRD), the High Line Canal will be an important component to define roles and responsibilities between SSPRD and the city. Once this agreement is in place then the city will begin work with Arapahoe County to determine what role the city will play in the long-term stewardship of the canal and any associated budgetary impacts.
BACKGROUND:
The High Line Canal and the trail adjacent to the Canal is a 71-mile linear corridor that spans over thirteen governmental jurisdictions in the Denver metropolitan area from Waterton Canyon in Douglas County to Green Valley Ranch in Northeast Denver.
Over the last twelve years, the City of Littleton has worked cooperatively with the other thirteen jurisdictions to enhance and permanently protect the High Line Canal.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council adopted a resolution on December 7, 2021, approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the High Line Canal Collaborative.
Council Member Pam Grove serves as the liaison to the Highline Canal Conservancy with staff support from Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager, Brent Soderlin, Public Works & Utilities Director, Sarah White, Water Resources Manager, Diana Kamenel Trettin, Manager of Grounds Open Space and Natural Resources, and Mary Danser, City Forester.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this update, but a future funding request is anticipated to support maintenance of the canal in future budgets. City staff met with the County, SSPRD, and the County for 2027 workplan development on May 9, 2026, and will continue to develop the overall 2027-2029 workplan and budget.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
There is no staff recommendation as part of this update.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no alternatives as part of this update.