Fwd: public administrative comment - County Road 25G/ Lodgepole Drive

[Lauren Calvert]

Hello, Commissioner Shadduck-McNally, 

I submitted the message below for the public comments administrative matters meeting yesterday on 8/2. Forgive me if I’m ahead of things, but I’d like to know if my message was received and read. 

I am neighbors and friends with both Paul Duffy and Karen Wheeler (among many others in our neighborhood). We are a close community and are concerned with the issue below.

Thank you so much for your time.

Kindly,

Lauren Calvert

Bellvue, CO

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Calvert <laurenx...@gmail.com>
Date: July 26, 2022 at 3:18:02 PM MDT
To: bcc-...@larimer.org
Subject: public administrative comment - County Road 25G/ Lodgepole Drive



Hello, and to whom it may concern, 

First of all, I apologize: I might have sent this email to the wrong address initially.

I am writing to provide comments in lieu of attending a public administrative comments meeting due to childcare constraints. 

My name is Lauren Calvert. My husband and I and our two children (ages four and two) live on 820 Redwood Court in Bellvue. We have lived here for almost eight years. We love our neighborhood and our community. 

I am writing to express my concern and frustration with the egregious speeding that occurs on County Road 25G/ Lodgepole Drive. Our backyard faces Lodgepole Drive. The last half-mile of this road dead ends into Lory State Park. The speed limit on Lodgepole Drive is 35mph. The last half-mile of Lodgepole then drops to 30mph where it dead ends into the park. 

I have walked incessantly on Lodgepole during our eight years here. I have seen cars, trucks, and motorcycles easily topping speeds in excess of 55mph. I used to walk my children in a double stroller on Lodgepole but have since stopped for fear that we're going to be hit by a car. I am not the only one who uses Lodgepole Drive as a means of leisure and exercise: a myriad of cyclists, runners, walkers, dog walkers, kids on bikes, kids on hovercrafts, and men and women and children on horseback use Lodgepole Drive. Many of these people are walking, running, cycling, or riding into Lory State Park. 

The majority of these egregious speeders are using Lory State Park or simply using Lodgepole as a race track. I have seen countless motorcycles go up and down Lodgepole on "joy rides." I know this happens because we can see Lodgepole from our backyard and even from our dining room table. But, it is not just visitors who speed: I know it is also local residents who do as well. Needless to say, Lory's visitation has skyrocketed in the last few years, especially during COVID. With this increased visitation will only come increased speeders. 

I have put in three or four calls to Deputy Martin in the LCSO traffic division. I know a speed dolly was placed on Lodgepole about two weeks ago. Unfortunately, that has not done anything to reduce speeding. There has been some increased patrol over the last few months, and for that I'm grateful. Deputy Martin did confess to me that our area "has been a neglected area." It is obvious that LCSO is stretched thin and that a few infrequent partrols here and there are not going to stop the egregious speeding. 

I am asking that the county implement permanent speed reduction techniques: wide, flat speed bumps similar to what we see on Cherry Street on our way to the Museum of Discovery with, of course, the appropriate signage for the speed bumps. 

There was a dead doe on the east side of Lodgepole right by the Lory entrance two weeks ago. My husband walked the dog this morning and said there is another dead doe on the west side of the street now. 

How long before a child is hit? How long before a cyclist is it? How long before my child is hit? Should I tell my children they can never ride their bikes to Lory because of people breaking the law? Why should law-abiding citizens be punished for others' complete lack of respect for the rules? 

I appreciate the opportunity to submit my complaint and express my concern and frustration. I am a concerned mom who wants her children to be safe. We're doing our part. We follow the rules. It's a shame others don't. So, I'm asking the county to step in and make Lodgepole safer for everyone. 

Kindly,

Lauren Calvert

Bellvue, CO

[Lauren Calvert]

Thank you very much, Commissioner. I wanted to know that I was heard. (I understand the emails not being read publicly. That makes sense.) 

Glad to hear the ball is rolling, too.

Kindly,

Lauren Calvert 

On Aug 3, 2022, at 9:22 AM, Jody Shadduck-McNally <shad...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:



Thank you for the email. We did receive your email for public comment. It was noted and entered into the record. We do not read the emails publicly but your email was noted for its content or reason for your email.

We have continued to ask questions. I have reached out to staff and the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office is in charge of enforcement. As I understand it, the Sheriff's Office is scheduling a meeting. Our county staff have also had communication with Lory State Park and some solutions are being discussed.

Please circle back with me if you have any questions and if you see any of these changes being implemented.

Warm regards,
Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally

	Jody Shadduck-McNally Larimer County Commissioner, District 3
	Commissioner's Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7003| M: (970) 939-0558 jshadduc...@larimer.orgl | www.larimer.org

[Lauren Calvert]

Thank you so much. I can promise that if we don’t see things moving forward with this issue that I’ll be in touch. Motivated Momma Bear here. 

Thank you again!

Lauren 

On Aug 3, 2022, at 9:26 AM, Jody Shadduck-McNally <shad...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:



Our staff also printed us copies that we given to us and we received your email electronically.

Thank you for your advocacy.

[Lauren Calvert]

Hi, Commissioner Shadduck-McNally, 

I just wanted to touch base with you about my public comment/ the issue of reckless speeding on Lodgepole Drive. 

I have not heard anything from the LCSO or from any other entity. Do you know any details about this potential meeting? I know a handful of neighbors (and friends) in our community have submitted a similar comment to mine and are wanting action. 

Thank you so much for your time. A neighbor and friend of mine attended a meeting and said you were the most receptive to our testimonies. We appreciate your help making our community - and the pedestrians, equestrians, children, dogs, runners, walkers, and cyclists who use Lodgepole Drive - a safer place. 

Kindly,

Lauren Calvert 

On Wed, Aug 3, 2022 at 9:22 AM Jody Shadduck-McNally <shad...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Thank you for the email. We did receive your email for public comment. It was noted and entered into the record. We do not read the emails publicly but your email was noted for its content or reason for your email.

We have continued to ask questions. I have reached out to staff and the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office is in charge of enforcement. As I understand it, the Sheriff's Office is scheduling a meeting. Our county staff have also had communication with Lory State Park and some solutions are being discussed.

Please circle back with me if you have any questions and if you see any of these changes being implemented.

Warm regards,
Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally

	Jody Shadduck-McNally Larimer County Commissioner, District 3
	Commissioner's Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7003| M: (970) 939-0558 jshadduc...@larimer.orgl | www.larimer.org

On Wed, Aug 3, 2022 at 9:08 AM Lauren Calvert <laurenx...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Lauren Calvert]

Good morning, Commissioner!

I apologize for my late response. Funny, I was just about to email you after I returned from walking the dog. What I am assuming was a CSU student (young man) was easily doing 50+ on Lodgepole. When I fired up my computer I saw I must have missed your email on August 10th. Thank you so much for your response and attention to this matter. 

We did see the county put up what I am assuming are traffic counters on Lodgepole for about a week. We also have a permanent "your speed" flashing sign right by our mailboxes north of Birch. Unfortunately, the speeding hasn't stopped. And, with Labor Day weekend around the corner, I am a bit anxious about what Lodgepole will look like. 

One of my neighbors and friends, Paul Duffy, had heard from Sheriff Smith and his Undersheriff Tim Keeton about scheduling a community meeting regarding the speeding on Lodgepole. I believe Paul is going to follow up with Mr. Keeton. 

Please let me know what I can do to help solve the issue of speeding on Lodgepole. I have volunteered a lot at Lory (before children) and am on good terms with Roy McBride and the other rangers. Roy is also aware of our community's wanting to address the speeding on Lodgepole, as I have included him in on our community conversations. 

Thank you again for your help. Honestly, I feel like for the first time we have someone in our corner!

Kindly,

Lauren Calvert

On Wed, Aug 10, 2022 at 2:31 PM Jody Shadduck-McNally <shad...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Good afternoon Lauren,

It is good to hear from you. Your email was very timely. This morning I drove along Lodgepole and found myself seeing how easy it was to go over 35 MPH in one section. I was going to a meeting with Congressman Neguse and others at Lory State Park. I was able to have a side meeting with Mr. McBride. We talked about short term strategies, LSCO enforcement, innovative ideas for future planning, and the need for continued conversations to see what solutions could be found. I am not aware of a community meeting being planned, maybe others are doing this? We can talk about the need for one if you would all like to chat.

I am going to follow up with staff after talking to Mr. McBride.

Warm regards,

Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally

	Jody Shadduck-McNally Larimer County Commissioner, District 3
	Commissioner's Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7003| M: (970) 939-0558 jshadduc...@larimer.orgl | www.larimer.org

On Wed, Aug 3, 2022 at 10:30 AM Jody Shadduck-McNally <shad...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Thanks,

I am a fellow Momma Bear :)