HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210051.tiff+City of
Thornton
Thornton Infrastructure Maintenance Center
12450 Washington Street
Thornton, CO 80241
www.ThorntonCO.gov
December 31, 2020
Ms. Karla Ford, Office Manager
Office of Board of County of Commissioners
Weld County
1150 O Street
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80631
RE: City of Thornton Agricultural Stewardship Program Report
Dear Karla:
Infrastructure Department
Water Resources Division
PH 720-977-6600
Attached for the Weld County Board of County Commissioners' review is the city of
Thornton's 2020 Annual Agricultural Stewardship Program Report, which summarizes
certain land management activities on Thornton's Weld County properties during 2020.
Thornton representatives will be available to meet with the Commissioners in 2021 during
the month of March to address questions from the report, or other issues of interest. I will
contact you after the first of the year to set a date for this meeting and to establish an
agenda.
Thornton has provided this report to Weld County since 2008, and we hope that it serves as
a helpful tool for the County. We continue to strive toward open communication with the
Commissioners and County staff throughout the year. Please feel free to contact me with
any questions or concerns at Emilv.HuntCa thorntonco.gov.
Sincerely,
Emily Hunt
Deputy Infrastructure Director
EH/
cc: Brett Henry, Executive Director— Infrastructure
Ed Lanyon, Senior Water Resources Administrator
MLCR
CO M M V n : Go.± ; 'IS
CC :pcJ(ER/cH), PL(TP)� 1-ILCBr/b3),
CAOL-1-1 FZ(D4So),ACT-03c40),
01/13 /21 O1 /O6/2. I
2021-0051
City of Thornton
2020 Agricultural Stewardship Program Report
Prepared for the
Weld County Board of County Commissioners
December 31, 2020
Executive Summary
• Thornton acquired farm land and water rights in Weld and Larimer Counties in
1985 and 1986 as part of a water supply project. Thornton owns 104 farms on
approximately 17,161 acres in Weld County.
• Since 1986, Thornton has contributed over $16 million to the local Weld and
Larimer County economies through its Agricultural Stewardship operations,
including Voluntary Payments in Lieu of Taxes to Larimer and Weld County
agencies, and the use of local vendors on Thornton's projects and operations.
• In 2020, Thornton continued to make progress on the development of the Northern
Properties Stewardship Plan that will help inform and identify the long-term uses
of the farm properties.
• In 2020, Thornton entered into an IGA with the North Weld County Water District
to provide the district with a back-up water supply from Thornton's transmountain
water while maintenance was performed on the outlet works at Horsetooth
Reservoir.
• In 2020, for the second year, Thornton utilized the transmountain water associated
with a small number of Water Supply and Storage Company shares for its own
use.
• In 2020, there were 6,941 acres included in Thornton's Revegetation Program in
Weld County, the same as 2019. To date, 6,033 acres have been approved as
established native grasslands by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Thornton's 2020 Revegetation Program successfully maintained these native
grasses with weed management, mechanical mowing, cutting, and baling.
• In 2020, Thornton initiated a fencing project around Farm 60-5 in preparation of a
pilot program for cattle grazing on the farm.
• The remainder of the farms in Weld County will stay in irrigated agriculture until the
water is needed for municipal use in Thornton. It is currently estimated that
additional conversions from irrigated agriculture to native grasses will not be
needed until approximately 2030.
• Thornton currently owns 56 farm houses in Weld County, the majority of which
were leased to Weld County residents in 2020.
2
Introduction
In 1985 and 1986, Thornton purchased over 20,000 acres of farms and associated water
rights in Weld and Larimer Counties. Thornton purchased the assets for a water supply
project. Since Thornton's acquisitions of farms and water, Thornton has operated under
a good neighbor policy of working with farmers, residents, businesses, and governmental
entities to effectively manage its properties and provide benefits to the Weld and Larimer
County communities. This annual report provides a summary of Thornton's 2020
operations and activities in Weld County.
Since 1986, Thornton has operated a local Agricultural Stewardship Office (formerly
known as the Farm Management Office). The office is located on 313 acres of land that
Thornton recently annexed into the Town of Ault. The function of the Agricultural
Stewardship Office is to oversee the operation, leasing, management, and maintenance
of Thornton's properties in Weld and Larimer Counties. Thornton cash -leases its farms
to local farmers, and several farmers who originally sold farms to Thornton continue to
lease these farms from the city. Other Thornton farms have been removed from irrigated
agriculture, and Thornton has converted, or is in the process of converting, these farms
to native grass vegetation. This conversion of farms from irrigated agriculture to a non -
irrigated use is required by Thornton's Water Court Decree, and must be satisfactorily
accomplished before Thornton can deliver water to Thornton customers.
The Thornton Agricultural Stewardship Office pro -actively manages Thornton's
properties, cooperates with its tenants and responds to issues and concerns when they
arise. Since 1986, Thornton has spent over $16 million on its Agricultural Stewardship
operations, which include activities ranging from tree trimming, to plumbing and electrical
repairs, to culvert replacements. In addition, since 1987, Thornton has made voluntary
payments in lieu of taxes to taxing authorities in Weld and Larimer Counties. Since 2010,
Thornton has adjusted its voluntary payments to the counties to reflect changes in
property values and the local tax schedule. The 2020 voluntary payment to Weld County
taxing authorities was $303,564. Since 1987, approximately $6,018,886 has been paid to
Weld County taxing authorities.
Over the years, Thornton has partnered with local governmental entities and businesses
to enhance their operations. For example, Thornton sold land and the associated mineral
rights to the Weld County RE -9 School District for expansion of the school campus in Ault
and construction of a new station for the Ault/Pierce Fire District. The city has also worked
with local agricultural producers to acquire land to improve their operations. Fagerberg
Produce expanded their onion processing facility onto land acquired from Thornton and
Longs Peak Dairy has acquired three Thornton farms to improve their operation. The city
cooperated with the Colorado Department of Transportation for the widening and
straightening of Highway 85, north of Ault, to improve traffic safety. Recently, the city has
worked with Weld County in identifying access points, irrigation facilities, underground
pipelines and other construction obstacles for the improvements of Weld County Road 29
from Hwy 14 north to Weld County Road 90. The city also met with Highland High
3
School's FFA and Agricultural Advisory board to discuss partnering through possible in -
kind contributions, donations and/or potential partnerships.
Since 2003, Thornton has leased approximately 75,521 acre-feet of water to the Central
Colorado Water Conservancy District (Groundwater Management Sub -district and Well
Augmentation Sub -district) for operation of an augmentation plan for irrigation wells in
Weld County.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has approached Thornton about the idea of allowing
public hunting on some of Thornton's properties. CPW and Thornton continue to discuss
the terms of a 5 -year hunting lease agreement for a pilot program on six Thornton
properties. During the course of the pilot program CPW and Thornton would monitor the
successes and challenges for allowing public hunting on the properties. At the end of the
5 -year pilot program the parties will determine whether to move forward with the public
hunting program and include additional properties in the program.
The North Weld County Water District (North Weld) approached Thornton in early 2020
about the need to secure back-up water supplies while the Soldier Canyon Outlet at
Horsetooth Reservoir was shutdown for repairs. Thornton and North Weld entered into
an Intergovernmental Agreement where Thornton would lease up to 800 acre-feet of
Thornton's transmountain water to North Weld during the repair project. The repair
project was completed ahead of schedule and North Weld did not need to take delivery
of Thornton's water.
Thornton looks forward to its continued contribution to and cooperation with the Weld
County community.
Thornton's 2020 Agricultural Stewardship Operations
Revegetation Project
Thornton currently owns 104 farms on approximately 17,161 acres in Weld County. To
date, a total of 6,941 acres in Weld County have been taken out of irrigated agricultural
production and have been, or are in the process of being, revegetated to native grasses.
Total approved revegetated acres by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) is 6,033 acres. An additional 788 acres of land in Larimer County are currently in
Thornton's revegetation program. Thornton implements its revegetation program in Weld
and Larimer Counties with contractors and vendors that are selected through a
competitive bid process that is advertised locally. Since 2006, all revegetation contractors
and vendors have been from the local Weld and Larimer County communities. Since
2006, Thornton has spent approximately $3,500,000 with these local vendors on its
revegetation project. Attached is a current map of the Thornton properties located in
Weld County.
4
There is currently one grazing lease in place on the city's revegetated farms in Weld
County. This tenant works with Thornton to manage his cattle appropriately to maintain
the health of the pasture grass on the farm. Thornton does not allow horse grazing on its
properties because this activity has led to soil erosion issues in the past.
This year Thornton conducted a rangeland health evaluation of Farm 60-5 and developed
a cattle grazing plan for the farm. The plan was developed with the assistance of a cattle
grazing expert. Thornton intends to initiate a cattle grazing pilot project on the farm.
Additionally, in preparation for the pilot project Thornton is underway with the installation
of a fence around the perimeter of the farm, installation of a corral, development of a
water supply system for the cattle, and the development of a cattle grazing lease
agreement template.
The pasture grass on the other farms that have been revegetated is cut and baled by
local vendors when natural moisture has been sufficient to produce a harvestable stand
of grass. This procedure maintains the health of the pasture grass. Lack of moisture in
2020 affected the growth of the pasture grass, so grass was not cut and baled.
Thornton's current plans are to complete revegetation and obtain NRCS approval on a
total of 6,941 acres in Weld County by 2025 (6,033 acres are currently approved). The
remainder of the farms in Weld County will stay in irrigated agriculture until the water is
needed for municipal use in Thornton. It is currently estimated that additional conversions
from irrigated agriculture to native grasses will not be needed until after 2030. This
timeline is a planning estimate and is subject to change to meet Thornton's water supply
needs.
Thornton's revegetation program has resulted in the successful establishment of a self-
sustaining, dry -land cover on the farms that have been removed from irrigated agricultural
production. Each farm is unique, and the revegetation process is highly dependent on
natural moisture. Thornton evaluates and adjusts its revegetation methods on a yearly
and farm -by -farm basis.
A significant portion of the Water Supply and Storage Company (WSSC) water that was
used to irrigate Thornton's revegetated farms continues to be used within the WSSC
irrigation system on farms that are still in irrigated agriculture. Tenants of Thornton -owned
farms have priority in renting this surplus water. After those requests have been fulfilled,
most of the remaining water is rented to other farmers throughout the WSSC system on
a first come, first serve basis. In 2020, there was a small reduction in the number of shares
rented out to non -Thornton farmers because the city retained a small number of shares
for its own use of the transmountain water associated with the shares.
The following are some pictures of certified grass fields that are a part of the Revegetation
Program as well as a map of the revegetation program.
5
Farm #8E Located between CR 43 & CR 45, between CR 90 & CR 92
Farm #60-4 Located between CR 41 & CR 43, between CR 96 & CR 98
6
Farm #60-8 Located between CR 39 & CR 41, between CR 94 & CR 96
Farm #78-8 Located between CR 39 & CR 41, between CR 94 & CR 96
7
Farm #78-15 Located between CR 43 & CR 45, between CR 92 & CR 94
8
2020 Thornton Agricultural Stewardship Office
Revegetation Map - Weld County
Active Revegetation
dr NRCS Established
Passive Revegetation
Other
Sold
CIrrigated Acres
•
NORTH
.Atli Lass
n
Lanmer County
Canal
Start of the
Pierce Lateral
64 09
i
�7
114
55,
zl.xatl.
It<,.r•,tiff
24
p9E 1111
11
Magner
Rare
Lanmer County
Canal (conYd)
Severance
Start of the
Cams Lateral
61-8
7 91 Pie e
68 45
s
knifing's
lie rx n tett
110
-2 E
118- 60-1 93
2W
R99s 80-2114 -140/53 53-6 73
:0-2 E
118-11 W\ 67 22 5
1-9IMIK1-10
1
6
W1
95
4
2
Vast,
Wa
75
35
6112 61-15
49 N
80-22
49 S: la
r _ 1
13
76 '\ 111
Aet
50
58
r
58 E
90
115
9
4
1
96 E
23 1.11
t.•.
t AI.
25
40-5
90
ti.... nubs
Ls�
1
42
192-2{Nie
S�
92-3a
92-3
Oat , new is
R.aarr♦ r.,
Acreage Status for Weld County Farms as of November 2020
Weld County NRCS Established Acreage: 6,033
Weld County Total Acreage in Revegetation Program: 6,941
Last updated 11/16/2020
0 0.5 1
2 3 4
Miles
Thornton's Irrigated Farms
The Thornton farms that remain in irrigated agricultural production in Weld County are
leased to local farmers on a cash -lease basis at market rates. Water from ditch company
shares or wells is provided with the leases for irrigated land. Thornton generally provides
three-year leases to allow farmers to adequately plan their operations. These farms had
the following approximate crop distribution in 2020:
Crop
Shell Corn (used for dairy/cattle feed)
Silage Corn (used for dairy/cattle feed)
Wheat (used for flour)
Alfalfa (used for dairy/cattle feed)
Sugar Beets (used for sugar)
Onions (used for human consumption)
Thornton's Residential Houses
Percent
17%
30%
12%
30%
6%
5%
In 2020, of the 56 farm houses owned by Thornton, in Weld County, most were leased.
These houses are leased on an annual basis. Thornton's houses provide affordable
housing options for residents in Weld County. Thornton's house tenants take pride in
their homes, and generally stay in the houses for over five years. The city has tenants
who have been leasing houses from Thornton since 1986, as well as long-term tenants
who have moved from one Thornton farm house to another to meet their space needs.
Sale of Thornton Houses
In 2013, Thornton began the process of selling some of the houses it owns in Weld and
Larimer Counties. To date, 20 houses have been sold. Thornton is not currently
marketing any additional houses, but may do so in the future.
Oil and Gas Leasing
In Weld County Thornton currently has two leases with DJ Resources, eight leases with
Petroleum Development Corporation, fourteen leases with Bayswater Petroleum, eight
Leases with Extraction Oil and Gas, one lease with Great Western Operating Company,
and two leases with Enerplus Resources. Operators with active wells include Great
Western Operating Company, Petroleum Development Corporation, Extraction Oil and
Gas, and Bayswater Petroleum; with a total of 42 active producing wells. In addition,
Thornton routinely works with energy companies to grant easements on Thornton's
properties for transmission and operations.
Agricultural Stewardship Office
Thornton's three permanent, full-time Agricultural Stewardship Office employees moved
into its newly constructed facility in late November of 2018. There are three other
10
buildings on the property that are currently being restored and used to house the city's
pickups as well as other city equipment used to manage the properties in the area. The
barn and the garage located on this property were re -roofed in 2019. In 2020 the pole
barn received a new roof & garage doors. The garage received structural repairs to the
roof and CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) walls, new windows/doors, and was painted. The
barn received windows, door and siding repair.
Thornton Northern Properties Stewardship Plan
In 2020, the city continued work on its Thornton Northern Properties Stewardship Plan.
The overall goal of this plan is to identify the best long-term uses of over 18,000 acres
owned by Thornton in Larimer and Weld Counties. Thornton's goal is to develop a plan
that will successfully incorporate a vision that achieves outcomes that are in the best
interest of Thornton and the local communities where the properties are located.
This past year Thornton's foundational work for the effort on the plan included:
• Internal planning between Thornton staff and the consultants
• Interviews with Larimer and Weld County subject matter experts, meetings with
community representatives
• Development of preliminary landscape analyses
• Internal planning at the city to establish project parameters
Next steps for the plan include development of a Regional Land Use Assessment and
development of a Water Optimization Study. The Regional Land Use Assessment will
identify potential land uses on Thornton properties by exploring local land use context.
This entails reviewing local land use plans; engaging community members in discussions
pertaining to the future needs of cities, towns, and residents; and determining prospective
optimal land uses in areas where Thornton acquired its farms. The Water Optimization
Study will explore how a "continued irrigation" provision in Thornton's decree could be
used to help farmers, conservation groups, and other interested parties restore (with non -
Thornton water) irrigation on prime farmlands.
In December 2020, Thornton submitted four applications for grants from ,the Colorado
Water Conservation Board to help with development of these studies. Thornton also met
with area stakeholders to discuss the project and grant efforts, and several provided
letters of support for the grant applications.
Thornton looks forward to making progress on these efforts and reporting the results in
next year's report to the County Commissioners.
11
Hello