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Camping hookups at Routt County Fairgrounds viewed as economic benefit in all seasons

Tom Ross

— The Routt County commissioners are expected on Tuesday to authorize a contract for engineering 10 public recreational vehicle camping sites with full hookups at the Routt County Fairgrounds at a cost of $28,380. The Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado will provide a grant of $6,589 to the total design cost.

“It looks like a very good opportunity for us,” Commissioner Tim Corrigan said. “People already camp there informally, possibly year round. This could be hugely helpful for people who want to put on horse clinics.”

The project is pending approval by the Town of Hayden but is viewed as a piece of economic development for community. The ultimate cost of construction is not known. But finalizing engineering documents would allow the Routt County Fair Board and Routt County to apply for the next round of grants from Great Outdoors Colorado GoCo, which uses lottery funds to develop community projects across Colorado.



Hayden must agree to vacate portions of First and Cleveland streets as well as permit the projects before moving forward, County Facilities Director Tim Winter told commissioners. He said the paved RV sites are part of the Fair Board’s master plan.

Already, he said, new restrooms and showers have been built in anticipation of better camping facilities. Existing camping facilities, with limited capacity for electrical hookups, are particularly popular during hunting season, he added.



Winter said the Hayden Planning Department has indicated the campground location along Poplar could ultimately hold as many as 20 campsites. He added that plans for the formal camping sites are likely to also include pedestrian access to the Dry Creek area adjoining the fairgrounds.

“GoCo is looking big at trails and circulation, and the project would be enhanced (in GoCo’s view) by including,” trail connections to Dry Creek, Winter added.

County purchasing agent Marti Hamilton said Baseline Engineering, the low bidder on the project, was one of three firms that bid on the project. Baseline, in Golden, has done good work for the county in the past she added.

The next lowest bid was higher by more than $5,000.

To reach Tom Ross, call 970-871-4205, email tross@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @ThomasSRoss1


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