Monday, March 23, 2026

EVMD Board Meeting 3/19/2026 Recap

3/19/2026 Board Meeting Recap

This is an unofficial summary of the March 19, 2026 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the EagleVail Metropolitan District held at the EagleVail Pavilion and online produced by EVMD Communications staff. A draft of the minutes will be posted to the EVMD website once they are composed.

Board members present: Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Laughlin, Director Barcza, Director Copeland, and Director Rumford (virtual).

Water Shortage Update

Eagle River Water & Sanitation and Upper Eagle River Water Authority representatives reviewed water shortage indicators and previewed a valley-wide water conservation campaign. Kudos were delivered to the EagleVail community for having the lowest water use in the authority. That said, with 80% of water coming from snowpack in Colorado, and a significantly low snowpack this winter, a lot less runoff is expected this spring. Our reservoirs are in good shape at 99% capacity and will augment the supply when the river tapers off. Residents are being encouraged to respond to drought conditions with a different outlook on outdoor water usage and to stay in tiers 1 and 2.

How can you help?

Choose water-wise perennials instead of annuals
Continue to remove non-functional turf
Limit “cool season turf” – high water grass, ie. Kentucky Bluegrass
Support 500-square-feet max irrigated turf in Eagle County Land Use Code
Support residents if they choose to let their lawns go dormant/be less green or to delay installation of landscaping (Make sure to check in with the EVPOA and Design Review guidelines.)

Be Water & Fire Smart

Let trees be trees: Established trees (including Aspens!) and surrounding forest areas do not need irrigation. Watering trees will result in more growth and more plant matter will result in more fuel for a fire. Trim branches from the bottom of the trees to create separation from the ground to the bottom branches.
Don’t run sprinklers if you evacuate: Sprinklers are only effective in slowing fire spread when fire is on your property. Turning them on when you evacuate and leaving them running will reduce water available for firefighters protecting your home and community.
Short grass is safer, not greener grass: Maintaining a green lawn during a drought is not responsible. Keep grass mowed below two inches within 30 feet of your home if you want to protect your home from fire.
Native plants are generally more fire-resistant and require less water. Choosing native landscaping protects both your home and local water supplies.
Create defensible space: ERWSD is partnering with local fire department officials to educate on the importance of creating defensible space. Avoid any landscaping within five feet of your home (Zone 1); landscaping 5-100 feet from the home should be spaced to prevent fire spreading through the landscaping (Zone 2). Irrigation is unnecessary beyond 100 feet from structures (Zone 3). Maintaining the natural ecosystem is often the safest and most water-efficient choice.

Two additional updates:

Bolts Lake is at 60% design.
Shoshone Water Rights – The Colorado River District is purchasing the rights from Xcel Energy to prevent the permanent loss of water flows; keeping the water in the river prevents the water from being diverted to the Front Range. The deal is going through Colorado water court for approval of the change of use to permanent instream flow; in addition, about $40 million in federal funding of the $99 million needed for the acquisition has been stalled by the current federal administration.

Parks Master Plan Presentation

ACTION: Unanimous approval to adopt the Parks Master Plan.

Following extensive community input and Board direction at the Feb. 19 meeting, landscape architect, Pedro Campos with Zehren & Assoc., presented a hybrid West Park design concept to the Board. The Board commended Campos and his team for terrific work.
- The hybrid West Park design meets the three major priorities of the Parks Master Plan and priorities for each of the pocket parks:
  - Irrigation system replacements for greater watering efficiency, water conservation, including identification of areas for potential turf reduction at the pocket parks, if deemed appropriate.
  - Playground facility replacements due to age and condition, to meet present day regulations, with focus on new equipment that is up-to-date, fun, durable, safe, and universally accessible.
  - American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant access into the community parks and the facilities provided within them.
- Implementation slated for 2027, with grant writing, applications, further design work and community input to get underway this year.

Communications Update

Kristin Kenney Williams, Commfluent Inc., highlighted working with community expert partners for enhanced communications around water and fire throughout the summer.
Planning for Second Annual EagleVail & Tell community event April 9, 4-6 p.m., with food and beverages, and stations including golf operations, Parks Master Plan adoption, wildfire mitigation, water conservation, EagleVail Trail Extension project, and resident card information.
Upcoming courts survey.

Management Updates

Manager Steven Barber highlighted that the courts have been open for play for a few weeks.
Golf course preparation is underway. Early season sales at the golf shop are occurring, and season golf passes are on sale.
On March 23, the tree removal project on Hole 9 will commence. The project has been marked.
Reminder that no dogs are allowed on the new artificial turf field.
Brent Barnum, Superintendent of Golf Courses & Parks, noted the level of excitement as we usher in spring. The lower holes of the golf course and the chipping green will open April 17, about two-three weeks earlier than usual.
Trout and Holland pounds will begin to fill up.
Laughlin said she’s opening up the Community Garden early – stay tuned on when water will turn on (this is a raw water use.)
Mark Sassi, Director of Golf, reported that he is staffing up and there’s great energy. About 20 groups have already booked, and there’s been 165 season pass applications to date. The cart barn is ready to go; the Whiskey Hill Bar & Grill will open on April 17 with a limited menu.
Last day of the successful skier shuttle is March 22.
REMEMBER to RSVP to Second Annual EagleVail & Tell event by 5:00pm on April 5. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/second-annual-eaglevail-tell-tickets-1984930510590?aff=oddtdtcreator.