Agenda Date: 05/26/2026
Subject:
Title
High Line Canal Update
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager
Presentations:
Suzanna Fry Jones, CEO, High Line Canal Conservancy
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...
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