Agenda Date: 09/16/2025
Subject:
Title
Resolution 88-2025: Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the High Line Canal Conservancy for the 2024 grant award for High Line Canal stewardship projects regarding the High Line Canal Irrigated Tree Planting Pilot Project
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Heather Hitzges, Executive Assistant, Public Works |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
To approve a resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Littleton and High Line Canal Conservancy for the 2024 grant award for High Line Canal Stewardship Projects regarding the High Line Canal Irrigated Tree Planting Pilot Project.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The City of Littleton and the High Line Canal Conservancy are partnering to design and implement an irrigated tree planting pilot project on the High Line Canal. As Littleton assumes maintenance of portions of the Canal with unhealthy and declining tree populations, one priority is understanding how to successfully and sustainably establish new trees on the corridor. This project will pilot the concept of installing permanent irrigation infrastructure on the corridor, allowing Littleton to understand the implications for tree establishment and health, water use, cost and assess the feasibility of implementing this approach along other segments of the Canal in the future.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the City of Littleton conducted an Urban Tree Canopy Assessment. The report overlayed the tree canopy with land cover classification, land use, census block group, and urban heat temperatures. Combining this data created a socio-economic equity map, showing a holistic framing of where minority populations are not receiving equal distribution of environmental benefits. Too often maps of canopy cover are just maps of income and race, and unfortunately, Littleton is not the exception. The forestry division in Littleton has a long-term goal to reach a total canopy cover of 50%. Success in reaching this goal is dependent on prioritizing resources into current unequitable green spaces.
The importance of planting trees in this area is also underscored by data on the canal’s existing trees. The canal tree inventory documented 396 trees over 6” diameter along the pilot project area, but 11% were in poor or worse condition. Of the living trees, 46% are ash and are threatened by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which was found in Littleton in 2023. A further 32% of living trees are riparian species that are deteriorating without irrigation water flowing in the canal. Between EAB and lower water availability, over 75% of trees along this reach will be challenged in the coming years.
The canopy decline is reflected in the tree work completed and recommended for this reach. Since 2020, 30 trees have been removed from the project area. An additional 29 removals and 21 prunes are recommended to mitigate hazards in this area. While tree work is ongoing, planting desirable trees is a critical component of proactive canopy management and will help rebuild the canopy in this area.
To address this need, this project will design and construct an irrigated tree planting. The preliminary tap analysis identified an existing connector valve on the canal corridor. The project will begin by designing an irrigation system using a new tap at the identified valve. The number of trees to be planted will be determined during design, based on available pressure and on-the-ground conditions. Littleton will work with Arapahoe County to comply with irrigation design requirements. Hazardous and invasive trees will be removed as necessary to facilitate construction and improve conditions for new tree establishment. The species planted will be chosen following the “right tree in the right place” principle. By choosing species that can provide habitat for wildlife, offer shade for trail users, and withstand hot and dry conditions, this project will positively impact the canal as a recreational and ecological asset.
Identifying long-term water supply is integral to the success of trees in Colorado. Mature trees provide countless benefits. Environmentally, trees produce oxygen, clean air, help manage stormwater, and reduce urban heat island effect. Socially, trees are directly tied to decreased asthma rates, are positively correlated with lower levels of cardiovascular disease and obesity, and reduced stress rates. Economically, trees increase property values, decrease cooling costs, and can help prolong infrastructure replacement rates.
Prior Actions or Discussions
N/A
FISCAL IMPACTS:
From the total cost $353,000, the Arapahoe County Open Space grant is $233,000, and the High Line Canal Conservancy is providing a match of $120,000. There are no city funds associated with this project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no city funds associated with this project and should council not approve this agreement, then this potential source of all outside funding is lost, which may affect the city’s ability to get further grant funding from Arapahoe County, hinder the relationship with the Conservancy, and the project will not proceed until another funding source is identified.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 88-2025 approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the High Line Canal Conservancy for the 2024 grant award for High Line Canal stewardship projects regarding the High Line Canal Irrigated Tree Planting Pilot Project.