On Wednesday, Pitkin County Commissioners will discuss purchasing ten acres in the Crystal River Valley for $1.55 million.
The Wildin property includes about 900 feet of river frontage and two homes on the east side of the Crystal River on the southern end of Filoha Meadows.
Officials with Pitkin County Open Space and Trails said it provides important access to that nature preserve. The current access is across an old bridge with questionable engineering, and several educational programs at Filoha have been canceled because of high river flows this year.
Dale Will, Acquisition and Special Projects Director with open space and trails, said at least one of the homes could be used for employees as work begins on a trail through the Crystal Valley, and that could help with monitoring wildlife and seasonal closures.
A public hearing on the purchase is scheduled for Aug. 14.