Bennett
Parcel Name + Ownership
Bennett, City of Boulder Open Space; Not Leased (2020)
Parcel Size
122.44 sq. acres
Purchase Date + Price
2007 ➔ $3,563,000
Land Health Status
The 122 acre Bennett property was purchased in 2007 for over $3.5M. It was a multi-generational ranching property that has a unique pond and wetland habitat and very valuable water rights from two water systems. It was leased back to the original owner for nearly 10 years, but due to the added land management restrictions—particularly in the management of prairie dogs—the land deteriorated significantly and became non-viable for agriculture. It has been unleasable for productive uses since 2016. Prairie dogs now occupy over 60% of the site.
A major wind event in the winter of 2016 resulted in the loss of all of the topsoil on portions of the property. In 2017 the City of Boulder initiated a unique experiment in soil regeneration and carbon sequestration on the Bennett property. A variety of new land management treatments were explored including the use of a subsoiling implement called a “keyline” plow. This technique, along with compost applications, showed significant promise in beginning to restore vegetation to the site.
However, due to expanding populations of prairie dogs that grazed down all early establishment of vegetation and the current limits to burrow disturbance in existing city ordinances, the city has been largely ineffective at restoring the site despite 3 years work and tens of thousands of dollars in investments.
Current Prairie Dog Occupation
As of March 2020, approximately 75 acres/61% of Bennett is occupied by prairie dog colonies.
