Gunbarrel, Colorado

Geography

Gunbarrel is northeast of the city of Boulder proper, separated by a buffer area of private agricultural lands and publicly owned open space. The buffer areas provide over two miles (3 km) of separation over changing elevations.

Two reservoirs operated by the Boulder and Left Hand Irrigation Company, are located in central Gunbarrel. The Twin Lakes Open Space, a large park which includes the two reservoirs and extends west along the ditch, is operated by the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department. The park brings protected wetlands, jogging trails and green spaces directly into the urban area. The City of Boulder operates Eaton Park, adjacent to the west lake. Flood control facilities are integral to the reservoir and canal systems, but they do not eliminate the flood risk to adjacent development.

The Gunbarrel CDP has an area of 16.340 km2, including 0.155 km2 of water.

Natural hazards

The principal natural hazard in Gunbarrel is flooding. The county Transportation Department provides floodplain information through an online request page, free of charge for property owners in the unincorporated areas of the county. Boulder County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which allows some reduction in the cost of flood insurance for residents.

Climate

Demographics

There were 4,024 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 30.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,022, and the median income for a family was $86,922. Males had a median income of $60,994 versus $37,091 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $36,478. About 5.0% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Gunbarrel CDP for the 1980 United States census. |1980|5,172 |1990|9,388 |2000|9,435 |2010|9,263 |2020|9554

Government

The Gunbarrel Public Improvement District (GPID), formerly the Gunbarrel General Improvement District, was formed by residents of Gunbarrel in 1993. At the time, county residents were concerned about the negative effects of development in the adjacent neighborhoods of the city of Boulder. They felt they needed to counterbalance the city's annexation and development powers and better manage the traffic city development was creating. The GPID is administered by the Boulder County commissioners. The GPID is a 'special district' under Colorado law, with the ability to levy taxes and incur debt. GPID uses this money to purchase open space and improve roads in the unincorporated subdivisions, consistent with their primary mission of maintaining quality of life and property values in unincorporated Gunbarrel. GPID open space lands are managed by Boulder County Parks and Open Space. A map of GPID lands can be found at the Gunbarrel Community Association website. This map also depicts the boundaries of the District's taxation area.

Transportation

The 205 bus of the RTD bus system gives service throughout Gunbarrel and into Boulder. Roads and streets in Gunbarrel are maintained by Boulder County.

The RTD regional route J also provides a peak hours connection to the University of Colorado and Longmont. It is intended that, once built to its planned full extent, the RTD B Line will have a station in Gunbarrel.

References

References

1. "State of Colorado Census Designated Places - BAS20 - Data as of January 1, 2020". [[United States Census Bureau]].
2. United States Census Bureau. "Gunbarrel CDP, Colorado".
3. (2020). "Zip Code 80301 Map and Profile". zipdatamaps.com.
4. {{GNIS. 2408343
5. [http://www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace/resources/gis/os_map.htm Boulder County Open Space Maps] {{Webarchive. link. (May 28, 2007 , accessed 30 May 2007)
6. [http://www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace/recreating/public_parks/twinlakes.htm Twin Lakes Open Space information page] {{Webarchive. link. (August 8, 2007 Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department, accessed 30 May 2007)
7. {{Webarchive. link. (June 21, 2007)
8. [http://www.co.boulder.co.us/transportation/drainage_floodcontrol/floodcontrol.htm Flood Control information page] {{Webarchive. link. (June 1, 2007 , Boulder County Transportation Department, accessed 7 June 2007)
9. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. [http://www.gunbarrel.net/histandstatus.shtml GPID History and Current Status] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-09-27 , Gunbarrel Community Association website, accessed 19 June 2007)
11. {{Webarchive. link. (July 17, 2007)