Fears of wildfire are fanning intense opposition to Douglas County’s plan for as few as 10 primitive campsites at Sandstone Ranch, a 2,038-acre open space located about five miles west of Larkspur, Colorado. More than 1,000 residents have signed a petition against the idea, and the local fire district has issued a formal resolution urging commissioners to abandon the project while the county pauses the proposal and prepares a spring survey.
For campground owners and other outdoor-hospitality operators, the skirmish shows how quickly a small pilot can stall when public-safety concerns and communication gaps collide. The property, purchased by the county in 2018, is currently limited to day use such as hiking and horseback riding, and officials stress that no final decision has been made, according to the county’s official project page.
The pilot, still in the concept stage, calls for 5–10 tent-only “minimalist” sites: no plumbing, no utilities, pack-in-pack-out rules, a strict Leave No Trace curriculum and a year-round campfire ban. County staff estimate first-year startup costs at about $379,400, including site development, one additional open-space ranger and a volunteer camp host. Prospective campers would complete an online Leave No Trace course before reserving a spot.
Opponents say even the most careful visitors could spark catastrophe. Their “Protect Douglas County Open Spaces – No Camping, No Wildfires” online petition notes that 85–90% of Colorado wildfires are human-caused and points to the Colorado Renaissance Festival, which draws roughly 14,000 people each weekend, as a potential evacuation choke point. Petition authors also warn that Perry Park’s 2,200 residents could be trapped by festival traffic and that homeowners already face insurance premiums that climbed 57.9% statewide from 2018 to 2023.
Fire officials share the unease. The Larkspur Fire Protection District unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the campsites, citing limited water supply, rough access roads and valley winds that can accelerate flames, a KDVR report states. “We are presenting to the board with a resolution to adopt, which is kind of our legal avenue at the moment to notify the County Commissioners of Douglas County that we do not feel it is the best option to allow camping on the Sandstone Ranch site,” Fire Chief Timothy McCawley told the board. He added, “Even if we say they’re not allowed to do campfires and such, there could still be somebody that doesn’t obey the law or obey the rules. There could be somebody that tips over their campfire stove, things like that, that create risks. As windy as it is being down in the valley, it could move very quickly.”
For operators evaluating projects in similar high-risk zones, several wildfire-mitigation tactics can help lower danger and bolster community confidence. Beginning every new site plan with a formal wildfire-risk assessment that maps fuel loads, wind patterns and access choke points is a crucial first step. Operators are encouraged to carve a 30-foot defensible-space buffer around each campsite by removing ladder fuels and replacing duff with non-combustible surfacing. Installing on-site water assets such as underground cisterns, dry hydrants or large above-ground tanks and marking them for night access can provide critical resources in the event of a fire.
Whenever possible, providing two ingress and egress points wide enough for Type-3 engines improves emergency access. Pre-loading evacuation protocols into staff training and guest messaging tied to Red Flag Warnings ensures everyone on site is prepared for sudden changes in fire risk. Adopting a no-campfire or propane-only policy during high-risk months and enforcing it with signage, patrols and escalating penalties can further reduce the odds of a preventable ignition. In addition, staging annual tabletop drills with local fire districts can help speed real-world response and improve insurance terms.
County commissioners placed the idea on hold in March and will launch a countywide survey in spring 2025. “We are so early in this process and taking feedback … The most important thing to know is that no decision has been made about camping,” a county spokesperson told KDVR. Officials say feedback on Sandstone Ranch could guide future decisions at Prairie Canyon Ranch, Nelson Ranch Open Space, Red Mesa and Lincoln Mountain.
Residents also contend they were left out of early discussions. Only a handful attended a Jan. 7 open house, fueling complaints that the county’s outreach was insufficient and opaque.
To avoid similar blowback, project sponsors may want to map stakeholders early, including adjacent landowners, volunteer fire districts and environmental groups, and hold a pre-design charrette. Layering communication channels through open houses, QR-code surveys and livestreamed Q&A sessions helps ensure all voices are heard. Quantifying local benefits such as jobs and tax revenue alongside environmental safeguards can help build support within the community.
Forming a standing advisory board that meets quarterly through the first operating season helps maintain transparency and accountability. Piloting low-impact day activities before adding overnights, followed by posting clear timelines so residents know when feedback counts, can further strengthen trust and engagement.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners plans to conduct the countywide community survey in spring 2025; results have not yet been scheduled for release. With insurers increasingly wary of fire-prone regions, industry experts say proactive mitigation and transparent engagement could determine whether Sandstone Ranch becomes a model for low-impact recreation—or a cautionary tale for every campground operator eyeing expansion in the West.