PIKE TRAILS RANCHES IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
2020 Newsletter
May 15, 2020
Another year, another PTRIA Newsletter/Dues Request. I think Spring is finally here! Although this year’s snowfall season of about 69 1/2 inches was about 10 1/2 inches above average, and we had a lot of wind to go with it, causing drifted roads. And when the snow finally melted, there was lots of MUD!! So we’ll be needing a lot of grading and gravel spreading
For those of you who missed the annual meeting last September, some highlights are as follows:
- 48 people (including Board members) attended, representing 32 properties.
- long discussion re: fences around Pike Trails need repair to keep cattle out. This is individual landowners responsibility.
- Complete details of this and other news items are available on our website PIKETRAILS.ORG
As usual, the landowner address for this Newsletter is based on Park Co. Assessor’s data as of May 15th, so if it is not correct, please notify them (cc: me too, please).
TREASURERS REPORT– We have $15,934 in our Treasury as of 5/05/20. Details are available upon request to Jon Klima and at our annual meeting in September. This does not include the $10,260 in our CD. We had 95 landowners pay dues during our fiscal year of 6/1/2019 thru 5/31/2020 in the amount of $14,165. Thanks to all of you who have helped make Pike Trails a better place to live.
FISH/PONDS – Last summer, both of the Trout Lane ponds were overtaken with pond weeds and algae. Hopefully this year we will not have the trouble with the weeds we fought last year. We really need a few volunteers to help keep the ponds clear of weeds this summer. Contact Jon at jon.klima@gmail.com if you can help out. Our new supply of rainbow trout was delivered on May 2 and there are a few whoppers in there. Remember, these PTRIA owned ponds are open to fishing to all dues-paying Pike Trails landowners and their guests. Please be considerate when catching fish….in other words, “catch & release” is encouraged so that everyone can enjoy this activity, but it’s OK to keep a few for supper! And you can help keep these pond areas clean by picking up your trash and “packing it out”.
PTRIA ROADS – We will continue to grade all the Pike Trails roads as needed, weather permitting. We could sure use some more volunteer “snowplowers”, so if you’re willing, contact any Board member, and we’ll coordinate who can plow which roads. We have several good Folks who do a good job of keeping most roads passable For the benefit of the LANDOWNERS winter snowplowing is not included in your dues….we simply do not get enough dues-paying landowners to afford to sub-contract snow-plowing. So please stop telling Folks that snow removal is included in the dues. It is Not ! We have a resident Ernie Cox who has been doing snow removal as well as driveways, I have heard nothing but good things about his work. Please call him at (270) 875-3536 for any road work you need. We will continue to do our best to keep the PTRIA roads cleared on a volunteer basis.
We’ll begin spreading gravel on our roads within the next few months. In the meantime, if you see a pot hole near you on “ranch” roads, there’s a pile of gravel on Stream Drive, about 100 yards from Antelope Lane for that purpose….help yourself!
I’d like to remind everyone that PTRIA owns the private roads within Pike Trails Ranches. These 17 miles of deeded roads include 30 feet on each side of the center of the roads. So if you’re putting up a new fence, please keep it back 30 feet from the center of the road. Also, we have several driveways that really should have culverts under them as they enter Pike Trails roads…..without them, erosion occurs. These culverts are your responsibility. At least a 12 inch diameter culvert is required, and depending on the run-off, maybe even a 16 inch.
“TAZ”, our PTRIA owned grader is running good. We had new blades and other maintenance done this past summer. We need to train a couple of new grader operators…..give me (719-479-2290) a call if you’re interested.
MISC. –We’re still having a problem with cows getting into Pike Trails Ranches. Colorado State law states that it is the landowner’s responsibility to keep cattle out, NOT the rancher to keep them in. Many Pike Trails current landowners have totally fenced in their property, therefore are not concerned with this issue. But there are PTRIA common areas, such as our roads and ponds that are affected as well as parcels that are not fenced in. Cows generally migrate to our ponds to drink, damaging the banks. There are approximately 60 parcels on the perimeter of Pike Trails Ranches, many of which are owned by people who do not live here. However, most of the sections that need re-fencing are on the west and north side of the ranch.
SNOW FENCE- We installed 500 Ft of snow fence on Eagle lane, we were able to get permission from the landowner to do that. We have had several requests for snow fence on Elk lane on the hill north of Hawk lane, That hill drifts very badly and last winter it was un passable at times. I’m sorry to report that the landowner will NOT allow us to put snow fence on his property. Bill Jones who lives past that spot paid Ernie a few times to clear that area. It would be nice if anyone else that benefits from that would get with Bill and help out on the cost. I want to thank Mike Bandera, George Purnell and Robin Jones for help in putting up the snow fence on Eagle with me.
THIS N THAT. There are several “newcomers” to Pike Trails. I encourage you to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday SEPTEMBER 5th to meet your neighbors.
ANNUAL DUES – We’ve managed to keep our dues as shown below since 2009. If everyone chips in, we can maintain these rates for the foreseeable future.
Single lot with driveway on PTRIA road $125.00
Single lot with driveway off of CR 88 or Hwy 9 $50.00
Second (or more) unimproved lot (each) $50.00
Second lot with home on PTRIA road $125.00
If you can’t afford to pay the dues, please let me know…at least I’ll know you care. As in the past, we have provided a return envelope. Many thanks to all of you who have paid extra….it helps make up for those that don’t pay.
WORK DAY- A work day will be set up at the meeting to help with picking up trash, repairing snow fence, clearing culverts and other needs. Please sign up we can use all the help we can get to keep our community a nice and clean place to live.
I would like to personally thank a few folks in my new role.
Bernie Mann- for showing me the ropes and helping so much with his knowledge of the Ranch and in and outs of the history here.
Jon Klima- Who has also been huge in helping me with Stats, and also sharing his opinions on the operations of the Ranch as well.
Leslie Thomas- She has been a big help with the cattle, she ran some back to 31mile ranch, and helps me get in contact with the ranchers to come get their cattle.
2020 ANNUAL MEETING – We’re going to try something different this year. Our meeting this year will be September 5th. That’s Labor Day weekend! A few people have worked very hard during the year to handle all matters pertaining to our community! The least you can do is spend an hour or two to come to the Annual Meeting!!! Meeting at 11:00 AM, chow to follow!!! This Year Ernie Cox has offered to cook and supply Southern Barbeque!! Boston Butts and baked beans! Sounds great Thanks Ernie, Bring a dish if you can….if not, still come! You know the place…Fire Station on Co Rd 88 near Cougar Lane (SPCFPD Station#3). As usual, I’ll put up reminder notices near all the mailboxes in Pike Trails. I especially encourage new residents to come and meet their neighbors.
See you in SEPTEMBER….PLEASE!
Jay Mulholland – President
Pike Trails Ranches Improvement Association
(719) 479-2290
Email: jay@dcinsurers.com