SilverSpursRanchNews - Silver Spurs Property Owners Assoc.

Silver Spurs Ranch News
The Official Newsletter
of the Silver Spurs Ranch Property Owners Association
A Covenant Restricted Community
Fall/Winter, 2006
FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK
Things continue to be busy here on the ranch. .
An early snow fall helped to moisten things enough
for some much-needed road grading and gravel
placement to get underway. The gravity survey has
been completed and copies are available on our
website or by writing (see article elsewhere in this
newsletter). Homes begun this year are nearing
completion. And, Mother Nature is readying herself
for winter – hopefully a wet one that will replenish
our water table and provide beautiful wildflowers
this spring and summer. This is a peaceful time in
southern Colorado, time to relax and reflect upon
upcoming holidays, good warm-weather memories
and plans for 2007. We wish each of you a blessed
season and look forward to hearing from you. Your
comments, ideas or article submissions are always
welcomed.
SPECIAL MEETING TO ELECT
OFFICERS HELD 8-29-06
A special meeting of the board was called August
29, 2006 to elect officers for the upcoming year of
July 2006 to July 2007. The by-laws dictate that a
meeting be held immediately, or as soon after the
annual membership meeting as possible, to elect
officers.
President Jack Fisher called the meeting to order
at 6 pm in the home of P. C. Roberts. Board
members present were Gary Geiselbrecht,
Property Owners Association
Board and Officers
President: Jim Morine, term expires 2009
Vice President: A.R. “Deacon” Garza-Vela, term expires 2009
Secretary: P.C. Roberts III, term expires 2007
Treasurer: Gary Geiselbrecht, term on Board expires 2008
Roads/Special Projects: Jack Fischer, term expires 2008
Editors: Wes & Alane Wilson
463 Leather Dr., Walsenburg, CO 81089
719/989-0744
[email protected]
Silver Spurs Ranch News
P. C. Roberts and Jim Morine. A. R. Garza-Vela
was out of town. Jack Fisher said he would not be
an officer again, but would like to finish as Roads
Chairman. Office terms are for one year and Board
terms vary and are so noted:
President
Jim Morine
934 Boot Court
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Term expires 7/2009
Vice President /Covenant Enforcer
A. R. "Deacon" Garza-Vela
P. O. Box 1263
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Term expires 7/2009
Secretary
P. C. Roberts, III
1417 Silver Spurs Road
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Term expires 7/2007
Treasurer
Gary Geiselbrecht
338 Rope Court
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Term expires 7/2008
Roads Chairman and Special Projects
Jack Fischer
500 Valley Vista
Pryor Route
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Term expires 7/2008
Newsletter Editor
Alane Wilson
463 Leather Drive
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Historian (Scrapbook)
Mary Fischer
500 Valley Vista
Pryor Route
Walsenburg, CO 81089
Web Page Managers
Wes Wilson
P. C. Roberts
It was explained to our new president, Jim
Morine, that it is best to schedule our 4 regular
board meetings one week after each quarter ends.
This gives the treasurer time to have a financial
report ready for the meeting.)
Fall/Winter,
Fall/Winter, 2006
Page 1
Special meetings for emergency decisions or
actions will not have financial and committee
reports.
P. C. Roberts stated that he would not run for the
board in 2007. He stated that he would advise and
help the new secretary in any way needed. He
advised the board to start looking for a qualified
candidate.
Meeting was adjourned.
TOTAL
$31,916.96
NET INCOME
$31,856.04
RECONCILIATION
RET. EARNINGS (1/1/06) $160,040.84
NET INCOME
$31,856.04
TOTAL
Board News
The quarterly board meeting was held 10-09-06 at
the home of P. C. Roberts. Jim Morine called the
meeting to order at 6 p.m. Roll call indicated A. R.
Garza-Vela, Gary Geiselbrecht, Jack Fischer and
P. C. Roberts were present. Newsletter editors
Alane and Wes Wilson were also present. P. C.
Roberts welcomed and introduced Laura Aiello and
Victor Barcilon. These two residents are interested
in helping the board and are qualified for the
positions of secretary and treasurer, respectively.
The minutes of the special meeting to elect
officers was approved as presented.
Gary presented the following treasurer’s report:
PROFIT / LOSS and RECONCILIATION
STATEMENT
(Jan 1 - Sept 30) 2006
INCOME
DUES
$53,910.19
GRAZING LEASE
2,500.00
INTEREST INCOME
3,163.03
NEWSLETTER AD'S
145.00
SAN ISABEL REFUNDS
4,054.78
TOTAL
EXPENSES
ROAD MAINTENANCE
SNOW REMOVAL
INSURANCE
OFFICE SUPPLIES
INCOME TAX PREP
POSTAGE
LIEN FILING FEES
WEED SPRAYING
PICNIC GIFTS
ANNUAL PICNIC
NEWSLETTER
MISC EXPENSE
LEGAL EXPENSE
PERIODIC REPORT
P.O. BOX RENTAL
WEB PAGE
GRAVITY SURVEY
CPA REVIEW
Silver Spurs Ranch News
$63,773.00
$23,948.79
109.79
2,543.00
474.06
250.00
158.75
18.00
580.26
400.84
542.49
101.49
207.97
580.67
119.40
1,531.45
350.00
$191,896.88
CD BALANCE (9/ 30/06) $127,600.00
CD BALANCE (9/30/06)
$53,677.55
CHECKING BALANCE (9/30/06) $10,619.33
TOTAL
$191,896.88
Gary stated that the only remaining income for the
year was the second payment on the cattle lease
and that a bill will be sent to Pat Mc Connell.
The treasurer’s report was approved as presented.
Jack Fischer presented the roads report. He
stated that work had been completed on the south
end of the ranch from the entrance to Legend and
Valley Vista cross roads being graveled. Gravel
was put on Legend and Valley Vista past the two
residences. Jack stated that he has been unable to
get in touch with Mike Ferraro. Jack said that Mike’s
grader has been moved to the north end of Silver
Spur Road and hopefully work will begin soon.
Alane and Wes stated that Leather Drive was really
bad with all the rain. Preston reminded them that
they are on the list and their road should be done
soon. Jim Morine asked if there was any way for the
snowplow to clear the secondary roads with
residences any sooner. Gary commented that the
plowing could only be done after the snow quits and
that we are second on the list after Blackhawk
Ranch. Preston reminded everyone that we really
would be late in being plowed if we hired someone
else because they would have to wait for the roads
to be opened before they could get here. Mike
actually plows his way to us from Blackhawk
Ranch. Preston mentioned that we could be back in
that same position of trying to get our own truck and
equipment again. He mentioned that several POAs
have formed separate corporations within their POA
and have bought equipment. He also mentioned
that it would probably be unpopular amongst the
owners.
The Architectural Review Committee report noted
that one resident had re-applied with a different set
of house plans. It was approved. We also received
plans for a Pole Barn. It was approved. Preston
stated that he had 100 sets of approval forms
printed in Pueblo for a very reasonable price. He
stated that they would give us a price on the 50
Fall/Winter,
Fall/Winter, 2006
Page 2
newsletters that we have to print and mail via
USPS.
Under old business, Preston stated that he had
written to Mr. Jack Scheuerman, our lawyer in
Colorado Springs, summarizing the final events with
the board and a resident and asking for advice on
the C.C.I.O.A., SB 100 and SB 89 and if it has any
bearing on Silver Spurs Ranch and it’s POA. The
board has always been under the impression that
we are exempt from our covenants as stated in
Article 19 paragraph (B). Questions were raised at
the new roundtable POA Summit Meeting
organized by Jim Conley. Preston stated that legally
we need to get a ruling on our POA. It could mean
big changes with a lot of paper work.
New business started with a summary of the
aforementioned POA Summit Meeting. Preston
stated that Jim Morine, Gary and he had attended
the discussion and thought that it was very
informative. He invited other board members and
owners to attend if interested.
Jim Morine continued new business with
discussion on the deterioration of the bridge at the
north end of Silver Spur Road. He noticed that the
concrete is breaking in the center, possibly due to
the heavy trucks and equipment with all of the new
construction on the ranch. Preston stated that the
water flow appears to be draining through the joints
and cracks and believes that the base is being
washed out and that we will have a sink hole. He
suggested that the surface could be cleaned and
the cracks filled with tar. He suggested that the two
possible fixes would be either blacktopping with a 68 inch layer, tapered on the up river side to allow
overflow or the more permanent solution of putting
4-8 three foot culverts covered with reinforced
concrete. Gary noted that the bridge has already
been over laid once before but was probably not
done properly. Deacon suggested that we table this
issue and do some more research.
The last item under new business was water for
fires. Jim Morine stated that his work with the fire
department in the city and county had him
concerned over the lack of water for fires on Silver
Spurs Ranch. He stated that the one storage tank
at Deacon’s corner only held about 1000 gallons,
not nearly enough for a “re-fill” on an empty truck.
He stated that no more tanks were available thru
the fire district. He said that there was talk of a 1500
gpm well on the ranch. Deacon noted that his place
had an industrial well that was used in the coal
mines, but it had been plugged and abandoned a
long time ago. Deacon suggested that we look for
some sort of water tank or truck. He offered to
inquire at the army surplus or at Fort Carson.
Preston stated that the only periodic collection of
water was at the pond on Sunrise. He stated that it
varies with the moisture accumulation. Preston also
Silver Spurs Ranch News
reminded everyone that it is on someone’s lot and
permission would have to be granted. Preston then
stated that several of the other POAs had there fire
district personnel visit their ranches and offer
suggestions to the owners about their lots and
homes. It involved mostly clearing areas around
their houses to provide a low-fuel safety zone. It
also allowed the chiefs to travel the various roads
and driveways to determine accessibility.
No further discussion ensued and the meeting
was adjourned.
CRITTER CORNER
Bobcats
There have been fairly frequent sightings of
bobcats on the ranch this year, as Danielle and
Victor Barcilon discovered not very long ago. One
of our more curious co-inhabitants came up to their
window for a closer look at the strange two-legged
animals living there and was obliging enough to
stick around for a few photos! And, thus, these
usually-elusive critters are the topic of this issue’s
critter corner. Photos courtesy of the Barcilons.
Habitat: Bobcats are found in almost all types of
habitat -- except metropolitan areas -- especially in
mountains and even in desert areas where water is
available. In fact it ranges through all four deserts of
the American Southwest, but favors rocky, brushy
hillsides on which to live and hunt.
Description: The name Bobcat may have
originated from its short tail, which is only 6 or 7
inches long. The end of its tail is always black,
tipped with white, which distinguishes the Bobcat
from its northern cousin, the Canadian Lynx, whose
tail is tipped solid black. The Bobcat has long legs
and large paws. Large specimens can weigh up to
30 pounds, but the average Bobcat is only 15 to 20
pounds. The Bobcat's growls and snarls are so
deep and fearsome, particularly when hidden from
view, that one gets the misimpression it must be a
Mountain Lion. Geographic variations have some
effect on their color. Those found in timber and
heavy brush fields are darker with rust-colored
tones, while those found in the Great Basin area of
northeastern California generally are a paler tawnygray, often with a complete absence of spots on the
back and less distinct markings. The coat in
wintertime is a beautiful fur.
Habits: Despite its pussycat appearance when
seen in repose, the Bobcat is quite fierce and is
equipped to kill animals as large as deer. When
living near a ranch, it may take lambs, poultry and
even young pigs. However, food habit studies have
shown Bobcats subsist on a diet of rabbits, ground
squirrels, mice, pocket gophers and wood rats.
Quail have been found in bobcat stomachs, but
Fall/Winter,
Fall/Winter, 2006
Page 3
predation by bobcats does not harm healthy game
populations. The Bobcat roams freely at night and
is frequently abroad during the day except at the
peak of summer. It does not dig its own den. If a
crevice or a cave is not available, it will den in a
dense thicket of brush or sometimes choose a
hollow in a log or a tree.
to their first litter until they are two years old.
Females normally produce just one litter per year.
Because Bobcats are solitary animals, males and
females spend only a few days of the year together
-- during courtship and mating. Bobcats in captivity
have been known to live as long as 25 years.
Young Bobcats appear as lovable and harmless
domestic kittens, but because they are wild animals
with the ability to inflict injury to humans, it is illegal
to keep Bobcats as pets without special permits.
GRAVITY SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE
Bobcats occupy areas from 1/4 of a square mile to
as much as 25 square miles, depending on the
habitat and sex of the Bobcat. Female Bobcats
occupy smaller areas than males and normally do
not associate with other female bobcats. Males
roam wider than females; while they are not
particularly tolerant of other males, the home
ranges of males will overlap those of both males
and females.
Life Cycle: Its mating behavior is similar to a
housecat's. Young are usually born in April and
May, although litters may be born during almost any
month except December and January. The normal
Bobcat litter consists of 2 or 3 kittens, born blind
and weighing 4 to 8 ounces. Birth occurs in a rock
crevice or burrow, after a 60-day gestation period.
The kittens open their eyes after 10 days and are
taught hunting skills by their mother until they leave
her 9 or 10 months later. The father has no role in
raising the offspring. Males are usually fertile by
their first year, but females do not usually give birth
nancy dick
From June 16-20 a regional gravity survey was
conducted over Silver Spurs Ranch. The purpose
of the gravity survey was to delineate possible dikes
which may extend into the subsurface below the
ranch. The complete Bouguer gravity map shows
the interpreted dike locations in magenta. A
possible large fault on the east side of the ranch is
depicted in cyan.
Interpreted dike locations are used to define 4
water regions and their associated recharge areas.
A complete report can be downloaded from the
Silver Spurs web page at silverspurspoa.com.
Hardcopies are available for owners without internet
access. Send requests to 463 Leather Dr.,
Walsenburg, CO 81089. Send questions or
comments to [email protected]
Home Office: 719-742-3376
Office Fax: 719-742-5559
Toll free: 1-866-289-0825
www.UndiscoveredColorado.com
[email protected]
Email:
Specializing in
Unique and Beautiful Mountain Properties
Silver Spurs Ranch News
Fall/Winter,
Fall/Winter, 2006
Page 4
Ranch Weather
MIKE FERRERO
Editor’s note: All weather measurements are as
recorded by Ed Lyon, a National Weather Observer,
at the Silver Spur Lyon Ranch.
After a very dry spring, June showers and July
monsoons alleviated extremely dry conditions and
reduced the fire danger. The ranch received a
welcome 5.75” of rain from June to August.
Summer temperatures were mild overall ranging
from lows in the mid 50s to highs in the low 90s.
The first snow came early this year with 1.5” on
October 17. An early blizzard on the 26th delivered
14” of snow. Temperatures returned to highs in the
low 60s late in October for what promises to be a
mild fall.
Dozer • Grader • Loader • Graveling • Backhoe
All Types of • Road Work • Snow Removal • Septic Systems
• Landscape Materials •
• Free Estimates •
Hwy 12 – 34259
Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-2176
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
23
15
7
29
21
13
5
28
20
12
4
27
19
11
3
25
17
9
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
1
Degrees (F)
Min/Max Temperature
Oct
Precipitation - Rain Fall Equivalent
Inches
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
Jun
Silver Spurs Ranch News
Jul
Aug
Fall/Winter,
Fall/Winter, 2006
Sep
23
15
7
29
21
13
5
28
20
12
4
27
19
11
3
25
17
9
1
0.0
Oct
Page 5
(719) 846-0487 FAX (719) 846-1560
135 East Main Street Ste. #4
Trinidad, Colorado 81082
Silver Spurs Ranch
Properties For Sale
#114 Filing 5 35 $54,900 Under Contract
#116 Filing 5 35 $62,900 Under Contract
#141a Filing 6 70 $119,000 Under Contract
#105 Filing 4
#17 Filing 2
#162 Filing 6
92 $139,000
35 $59,900 Under Contract
35 $45,900
Recent Closings
# 21 Filing 2 105 $199,000
SOLD
Now accepting new listings.
ASilver
Covenant
Restricted Community
Spurs Ranch News
October, 2005
Page 6