Rural addressing work moves to RFL

Work will soon begin to implement Larimer County's new rural addressing system in the Red Feather and Crystal Lakes areas by the end of 2005.

When completed, the project will provide a convenient, accurate and systematic means of identifying and locating properties throughout the county. County officials think this is particularly important for fire departments and law enforcement responding to emergency calls.

As a first step, project technicians will study local addresses and roads to identify areas requiring change. Dan Disharoon, who works for Spatial Data Research, a contractor for the county, will be gathering data in the area during February and March.

Disharoon's vehicle will display a magnetic sign saying "Spatial Data Research." He will be collecting road and address data using global positioning system equipment linked to a laptop computer in his vehicle. To accurately survey the mountainous areas, Disharoon must drive every road, including private roads, and in some cases, individual driveways.

When necessary, he will also visit individual homes to collect information required for address review such as occupant name, current mailing address and phone number. If no one is home when he visits, Disharoon will leave a postage-paid questionnaire at the door or mailbox to be returned to Spatial Data Research by the resident.

It will be several months before the data analysis is completed and property owners and residents are informed about changes that might be made to their addresses or road names.

Beginning in the spring, local informational meetings will be held so that citizens can ask questions in person and receive more detailed information about the project.

Those wanting more information should contact Tess Heffernan, project public involvement coordinator, at 226-4230 or tess@facilitates.us. Area residents may also read more about the project at the county's web site at www.larimer.org/addressing.

Those with concerns about the lawful presence of SDR field data collectors on or near their property should call the Larimer County Sheriff's Office at 498-5100.