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Special Eaton Ranch meeting scheduled

Daily Staff Report

EAGLE – Would you like to weigh in on the county spending up to $3 million of open space tax money to purchase the Eaton Ranch in Edwards?If so you’ll have a chance at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, during a special meeting held by the county commissioners at the county administration building in Eagle.The Vail Valley Foundation purchased an option to buy the 72-acre ranch west of Edwards and is spearheading a private/public fundraising effort that is seeking $12 to purchase the ranch. Part of that funding, $3 million, will come from the county’s two year-old open space tax fund which raised $2.9 million annually. The property would be owned by the county if the purchase is successful.In November the county’s Open Space Advisory committee recommended 6-5 that the county spend $3 million and find an additional $3 million for the purchase.The Vail Valley Foundation is approaching individuals and businesses to raise the remaining $6 million plus an additional $2 million to help reclaim the former gravel pit.If the deal proceeds, the foundation will need to pay ranch owners Bruce Eaton and Winifred Grimshaw-Edwards $500,000 of earnest money by Jan. 15.Vail, Colorado


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