PIKE TRAILS RANCHES IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
PTRIA – PO BOX 45 – GUFFEY, CO 80820
May 31, 2019
Another year, another PTRIA Newsletter/Dues Request. Seems like I was just writing last year’s Newsletter! I think Spring is finally here! Although this year’s snowfall season of about 75 inches was about 16 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 August, some highlights are as follows:
- 27 people (including Board members) attended, representing 16 properties.
- long discussion re: fences around Pike Trails need repair to keep cattle out. This is individual landowners responsibility.
- PTRIA liability insurance costs increased from $600 to $1325/yr because Nationwide would no longer insure us. We now have State Farm.
- 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 25th, so if it is not correct, please notify them (cc: me too, please).
TREASURERS REPORT– We have $21,155 in our Treasury as of 5/25/19. Details are available upon request to Jon Klima and at our annual meeting in August. This does not include the $10,228 in our CD. We had 94 landowners pay dues during our fiscal year of 6/1/2018 thru 5/25/2019 in the amount of $13,570. 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. It was overwhelming and simply too much for a couple of people to keep up with. This plant material got frozen in the ice and didn’t sink to the bottom until the spring thaw. Had this material sunk to the bottom before the freeze up, it would have probably decayed over the winter and killed a lot of fish due to oxygen depravation. We really need at least six 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 were delivered on May 21st and there are a few whoppers in there. Remember, these PTRIA owned ponds are open to fishing (without a license) 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 – As I mentioned previously, several of our roads took a beating, especially Antelope Lane. Due to snow and rain freezing and thawing, deep ruts occurred in several places. On 3/25, I called Paul King, who immediately came up with a backhoe and six loads of gravel to make these sections passable. Jay Mulholland also used his tractor to smooth out some ruts on Badger Lane. As soon as the ground became firm enough, Jay and I graded most of Elk and Antelope. But within a few days, we had substantial snow and rain, which messed them up again! 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. For the benefit of the “newcomers”, winter snowplowing is not included in your dues….we simply do not get enough dues-paying landowners to afford to sub-contract snow-plowing. I heard through the grapevine that Jack the Chipper (719-6895510) may be available to plow private driveways. 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 weeks. 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’ll have to have new “edges”, plus have the “blade lift cylinder” rebuilt. Jay Mulholland is helping me grade, and will soon take over primary responsibility. We need to train a couple of new grader operators…..give me or Jay (719-4792290) 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. We discussed this at length during the 2018 Annual Meeting and it was suggested that all property owners be polled as to the following:
To what extent do you mind cattle occasionally coming onto your property or our common areas
A. No Problem
B. Don’t like it, but I can tolerate it
C. Keep them out at all costs! (please provide suggestions as to how to accomplish this when you pay your dues)
We’ll continue this discussion as well as the survey results at our Annual Meeting.
IRS – Last fall, the CD at Great Western Bank matured, and Jon & I had to choose another CD. We decided to stay with Great Western, but were told they couldn’t take out a new CD without a required form from the IRS. So I called the IRS and was told we needed a new “EIN” because the old one had expired. We applied for this new EIN “on-line” and immediately received it. Then received an email that since Pike Trails has been a non-profit organization since 1994, we have not filed Federal Income Tax for 25 years, and must do so immediately! We hired a CPA in Canon City to try to get us out of this mess, and she (the CPA) filled out the proper tax forms for Federal and State after Jon and I gathered all the financial data for the last 5 years only and sent them in with an accompanying cover letter asking for “forgiveness” since we didn’t owe any money. After several months, the IRS responded and asked for the 2012 year’s forms also, and they would consider it. Jon & I complied. That’s where we are now. In the future, we must file Federal and State forms promptly each year. WHAT A MESS!!!
THIS N THAT. On a sad note, Barry Anderson died last fall. Barry & Jean were among the original landowners when Pike Trails was first developed. Also, Mike Walton, a part-time resident on Deer Lane died this Spring. There are several “newcomers” to Pike Trails. I encourage you to attend our Annual Meeting on August 31st 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 was held on September 2nd. Thanks to Mike & Tracy Bandera, Bruce & Vonnie Mohr, Bob Erickson, Ron & Joy Oliver, Steve Lukeson, Jon Perrier, and Jon Klima (hope I didn’t miss anyone) who helped mend existing snow fences.
2019 ANNUAL MEETING – We’re going to try something different this year. We previously have held our Annual Meeting on the Saturday before Labor Day weekend. Because of the pathetic turnout of 16 landowners (out of 145), 5 of which were Board members, we’re moving the Annual Meeting to Saturday, August 31st. 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!!! A few years ago, I tried to improve attendance by providing the “main dish” (ie, barbecue, fried chicken). You know…if you feed them, they will come..….NOT!!! This year is especially important—it’s an election year! And for those of you who are tired of me being President, I’M NOT RUNNING!!! It’s your chance to step up and serve your community! The Board accepts Republicans, Democrats, even BLONDES!!! Mark your calendars….Saturday, August 31st. Meeting at 11:00 AM, chow to follow!!! 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 August….PLEASE!!,
Bernie Mann – President
Pike Trails Ranches Improvement Assoc.
(719) 479-2253
email – bernmann001@gmail.com