Gunnison City Council approved new one-year lease agreements for Van Tuyl Ranch at its March 24 meeting, transferring agricultural and residential leases from Parker Pastures, Inc. to MJ and Blaine Pickett of Calder Farm, who have managed the 465-acre property since 2022. The council also reviewed strategic alignment for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, repealed an outdated telephone utility tax generating only $1,500 annually, adopted a Strategic Communications Framework, and authorized a letter supporting the Gunnison Creative District’s state recertification application.
Van Tuyl Ranch Lease Transition
The agricultural lease totals $15,000 annually with a residential lease at $1,300 monthly, both running from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. City Manager Amanda Wilson explained the tight timeline resulted from Parker Pastures notifying the city March 16 of its business changes. The Picketts’ continued management ensures water rights obligations are met along with educational programming, including first-grader visits, university partnerships, and summer camps.
MJ Pickett described their regenerative agriculture practices, which build soil biodiversity and mimic natural grass growth patterns. The property functions as a sponge — water not consumed by grass growth is stored in the aquifer and released slowly into the river, benefiting downstream users. The ranch holds Audubon Bird certification with increased species diversity, supported by intensive data collection on soil health, grass biodiversity, and wildlife populations.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Framework
Wilson presented strategic alignment themes for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, emphasizing the framework establishes guiding principles rather than specific project commitments. The plan distinguishes between what the city will directly deliver and fund versus what it will support but cannot fully finance, such as major facility expansions.
Seven strategic imperatives include maintaining existing parks and facilities, developing a creative and heritage plan, improving accessibility, supporting connectivity, and coordinating recreational systems. Wilson recommended establishing an advisory committee for creative and heritage planning to align efforts among the Gunnison Arts Center, Creative District, Western Colorado University, and city investments in public art and placemaking.
Council discussed defining “major” projects, with Wilson clarifying that routine maintenance like repolishing recreation center floors differs from major expansions requiring building permits. The recreation facility expansion, first proposed around 2005, illustrates projects the city supports but cannot currently commit to funding without significant changes or additional revenue sources.
The plan addresses a 10-15 year horizon developed with Norris Design consultants, public surveys, and council work sessions. Wilson plans to distribute draft documents to council and the public before scheduling a community work session and final adoption.
Communications Framework and Administrative Actions
Council adopted Resolution No. 1, Series 2026, establishing the city’s Strategic Communications Framework after incorporating feedback from its March 10 session. City Clerk Erica Boucher highlighted revisions addressing council concerns, with the framework aiming to increase strategic communication and public engagement as the city undertakes complex initiatives.
Council approved Ordinance No. 1, Series 2026 on second reading, repealing the telephone utility tax of $4 per landline annually, effective April 1. Finance staff determined that administrative costs for tracking, collecting, and enforcing compliance likely exceed the $1,500 annual revenue from approximately 375 active landlines.
Council also authorized the mayor to sign a letter supporting the Gunnison Creative District’s application for state recertification. Community Development Director Anton Sinkewich noted the Creative District — designated by Colorado Creative Industries in 2022 — operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit that produces public murals, sculptures, the First Friday Art Walk, and other placemaking programming, and was a direct recommendation of the city’s Gunnison 2030 comprehensive plan.
The consent agenda included a $71,000 contract to Browns Hill Engineering for an electrical panel at the wastewater treatment plant’s oxidation pump, with a 35-week delivery timeline, and a letter supporting the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce’s T-Mobile Hometown Grants application for visitor center upgrades at American Legion Memorial Park.
Sergeant Promotion Ceremony
Police Chief Sam Costello administered the oath of office to Kyle Timm, promoting him to sergeant after nearly 15 years with the Gunnison Police Department. Timm, a 2010 Western State College graduate with degrees in criminal justice and pre-law, was presented his badge and ceremonial pen before family including wife Zelenia and their two sons.
Announcements
Staff announced Avant Strategies of Colorado Springs will assist with public outreach for the fire station project. The Parks and Recreation Department hosts an Easter Egg Underwater Hunt on April 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the city pool, with pre-registration requested at $10 per family. Boucher unveiled a new interactive ADA accessibility map showing barrier locations, remediation status, and completion progress in city rights-of-way, developed by Public Works’ Lisa Starkebaum.
Councilor Schwartz reported the Colorado Municipal League Policy Committee voted 26-22 to oppose pending THC beverage legislation that would allow 10-milligram beverages in bars and restaurants statewide, citing concerns that municipalities cannot opt out under current bill language.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 