In what was one of the most momentous and consequential meetings ever for the Woodland Park City Council, two major acquisitions were formally approved – the Shining Mountain Golf Course property and land to complete the reimagined Bergstrom Park.

“This is a very exciting night for the city,” City Manager Aaron Vassalotti said during his presentation at the Oct. 16 meeting. “Tonight, with these two items, this is absolutely an incredible opportunity for the city.”

But while the Bergstrom addition was significant, it pales in the light of Shining Mountain.

“Very rarely in public office do you get the opportunity to truly do something that benefits the community for generations to come,” councilmember Jeffrey Geer said. “We got the opportunity to do that tonight.”

Indeed they did.

Originally thought to be 355 acres, the property ended up being a hair over 360 acres after the city’s due diligence, which Vassalotti said took about 100 man hours.

It was time well spent. The original sales agreement estimated a value of $6.8 million for the property of which Woodland Park would pay $3.2 million with the rest being a charitable donation. Instead, the property’s appraised value came in at $11,886,600. Despite the valuation, the price to the city remained the same, making Shining Mountain among the all-time best municipal purchases anywhere.

It is certainly the highest value acquisition in Woodland Park history.

Shining Mountain is a known as a golf course but that’s the tip of the iceberg. The property also includes a 10,600 square foot event center and clubhouse, three disc golf courses and 135 undeveloped acres.

Woodland Park resident Jerry Penland, who happens to be an avid golfer, said that the real value of the property has nothing to do with golf.

“This is an open space that just happens to have a golf course,” he said. “Once you lose an open space to development, it’s gone forever.”

But it’s not just open space, it’s water, too. Five of the acquired tracts were previously approved for development to build 222 housing units. 

“The reason that’s significant is because there’s water associated with those housing units,” said Vassolotti, who showed the expected recovery of 57.681 acre feet of water because of the purchase.

Operationally, the city is not expecting the golf course to turn an immediate profit. 

During a draft budget workshop held prior to the council meeting, 2026 revenues for the golf course were projected at $676,000 and expenses were estimated to be $749,229. The income figures were based on the current management’s balance sheets and could increase.

“We’re trying to be conservative about what we’re projecting here,” Vassalotti said. “We are hoping that in time we will be operating at zero (deficit).”

It’s the combination of elements, though, that has City Council, city staff and community input buzzing with excitement.

“If you view this acquisition as just buying a golf course, I think you’re missing the point entirely,” Geer said. “This acquisition is largely about open space and water. 

“The golf course is just a bonus.”

Bergstrom Park reimagined

Another huge addition for Woodland Park was two parcels of land that will be added to Bergstrom Park and provide significant addition parking on the east side of US 24.

“It increases our parking by almost four time,” Vassalotti said. “It provides the opportunity to really expand this park and make it something that people see (from US 24).”

In other business

The Keep Woodland Park Beautiful Committee was recognized for being awarded a certificate of recognition into the President’s Circle from Keep America Beautiful.

Two public hearings were scheduled for the Nov. 6 council meeting. The first would vacate the portion of the South Fairview Street right-of-way between Chester Avenue and Foster Avenue. The second would amend regulations regarding the removal and disposal of nuisance vehicles.