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“I retired from my banking/law job in 1992 and was offered a ski instructor job at Beaver Creek for the winter of 1993. That was when my wife, Connie, and I bought our home in Singletree after agreeing to give our move a five-year trial. 30 years later and we are still here!” – Chuck Powers

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Today, Singletree is a little slice of heaven with schools and parks nearby, the vibrant center of Edwards at our doorstep, a world class golf course in our back yard, and well-maintained trails leading us into the Forest Service lands. Have you ever wondered what these names: Berry Creek, June Creek (so named because it dried up every June), Ute Indian Tribes, lettuce, and Station No. 13, have to do with all of this? Well, if you have, read on.

 

In 1993, Edwards was a much different place than it is today. What is now Riverwalk consisted of only a bank building; the post office was located where the Thrifty Shop is today, and most of the lots in Singletree were vacant. The area where the schools and parks are located today was a horse pasture and rodeo grounds for Beaver Creek tourists to experience “local life”. Fiesta’s and the Gas House were the only local eateries. Looking back, Chuck reflects, “Watching our neighborhood grow over the last 30 years has been a fascinating experience.”  

 

 

Prior to 1868, the Ute Tribes hunted and lived on the wild lands of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. In 1868, the Utes, led by Chief Ouray, signed a treaty with the US Government and agreed to accept most of Western Colorado as their reservation. But as so often and so sadly happened in the West in the 19th century, the miners and settlers failed to honor that treaty which resulted in constant tension, and inevitably, conflict between the Native Americans and the settlers. These tensions caused the US Congress to pass the Ute Removal Act, which took away most of the Ute Reservation lands in Colorado. Predictably, this new law drove the tribes from the Eagle River Valley and the settlers and ranchers moved into the area soon thereafter.

 

Harrison Berry and Joseph Brett were the first to arrive in the area. Joseph Brett homesteaded on a property at the mouth of Lake Creek in 1878, eventually developing his ranch into an exclusive resort for hunting, fishing, and recreation. He was followed by Harrison Berry, a Civil War veteran, who settled here in 1882 and owned the land where the soccer fields and schools are now located. Harrison and his family ranched and farmed the area under the name of Berry Creek Ranch, producing significant crops of fresh lettuce, which was in high demand during the 1920s. The water from Berry Creek, named after that ranch, became a significant water source which was ultimately used to support the development of Singletree.

 

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad established a stop here in 1887 to further encourage settlement and recreation. The land around the new whistle stop, designated as Station No.13, was originally called Berry’s Ranch, but the name was later changed to Edwards after Melvin Edwards, the then Secretary of State for Colorado. It is interesting to note that Edwards has never been incorporated into a town, although it certainly feels like a town!

 

In 1913, Matt Koprinikar (sometimes called Koprivnikar) moved from Leadville to Edwards. He was an immigrant from Yugoslavia and lived in Leadville and worked in the mines until he moved to the valley. Here he engaged in farming until his death, holding a place among the leading ranchers and stockmen of Eagle County. Three of his seven children, Dan, Matthew, and Katherine continued to run the ranch after Matt’s death in 1950 and eventually sold the land to the Singletree developers.

 

 

Fred Green, the developer of Eagle Vail, developed the Singletree subdivision in conjunction with a group of financial partners including Rod Slifer. The first filing of Singletree in 1978 was part of what was once the Koprinikar saddle ranch. Today, the Sonnenalp Golf Course is situated on the land once known as “Koprinikar Mesa”. And the second filing of the subdivision, located east of the first filing, incorporated part of what had been the Ray Miller Ranch, also a cattle operation since the mid-1950s.

 

Fred formed the June Creek Development Co. to develop a golf and equestrian community as a planned unit development (PUD) called Berry Creek Ranch. The primary job of the June Creek Development Co was to sell lots.

 

The installation of utilities and roads in the community began in earnest in 1978, the same year Avon was incorporated. Avon provided much needed resources, including groceries and fire protection for the new community. The new community itself was operated by the Berry Creek Metropolitan District (“BCMD”), as provided under its original service plan which had been approved by Eagle County in 1979. Sales were brisk, driven in large part by the planning and the eventual opening of Beaver Creek on December 15,1980.

 

The BCMD served as the financing arm for the development and sold bonds to raise the funds needed to build roads, provide essential services such as water, sewer, and fire protection, and construct the golf course. To highlight its western ranching history, the streets were named with a ranch theme: Foal, Lariat, Mustang, Pinto, et al.

 

An equestrian center and additional residential lots were zoned on the land south of I-70. These projects were connected to Singletree by an equestrian tunnel under the highway. The equestrian tunnel still exists near the west end of Berry Creek Road and is used as a short cut to the schools and recreation fields.

 

In 1987, unexpected financial challenges forced the developers to end their relationship with BCMD and sell the golf course and club house to Johannes Faessler, the owner of the Sonnenalp hotel in Vail. To repay the debt/bonds. Rechristened the Sonnenalp Golf Club in 1992, the club has continued to thrive under the leadership of the Sonnenalp and Johannes Faessler and is a tremendous asset to our community today.

 

In 1995, Singletree began a significant transformation. George Gregory assembled a group of residents interested in enhancing the design review process and improving Singletree’s covenants and administration, much as Eagle Vail had recently done. This initiative included establishing the Singletree Property Owners Association (“SPOA”), which had not existed up to that point.

 

Early on, SPOA determined that, going forward, the community would be called “Singletree”. Up to that point the name had been Berry Creek Ranch, but the locals adopted Singletree which became the de facto name. SPOA’s action made it official.

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It is important to note that the name of our community has nothing to do with either trees or the lack of trees. Continuing with the ranching theme, “Singletree” refers to the horizontal wooden or metal bar that attaches to the harness of a horse or draft animal and then to the front of a wagon or plow enabling the animal to pull the vehicle.

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The first President of SPOA was Doris Dewton, who went on to lead the organization for nine years. George Gregory led the Design Review Committee and established the guidelines which resulted in the diverse quality and sustainable architecture Singletree enjoys today. Gordon Smith took over the responsibility of establishing the covenant administration process. Sadly, two of the original guiding lights for SPOA, Doris and Gordon, are deceased, but their contributions to the neighborhood we enjoy are immeasurable and will never be forgotten.

 

Vail Resorts had become our new neighbor with their purchase of Arrowhead in 1993, but that purchase did not come without controversy. Singletree’s interest in Arrowhead extended to the day skier parking lot near their lift which was included in their PUD. Many skiers from Singletree used this lot. In 1997, Vail Resorts floated various plans to eliminate the skier lot in favor of condominium development. SPOA was very active in opposing those efforts. Eagle County eventually entered the fray by requiring Vail Resorts to agree to always maintain 204 spaces for outside skier parking at its present location. Later the lot was purchased by Arrowhead Metro District and is still maintained as public skier parking.

 

 

Progress on neighborhood improvements continued. In 1996, BCMD built the Singletree Community Center, and in 1998, Eagle County announced their intention to resurface the roads in Singletree. As part of this resurfacing project, SPOA developed a plan, funded by BCMD, to widen the major roads by expanding the shoulders to accommodate a walking/biking lane. The plan also included the construction of an off-road path from the Community Center to the West entrance, paralleling Berry Creek Road, to enhance pedestrian safety.

 

Also in 1998, Chuck Powers was elected a director and became the president of the Berry Creek Metropolitan District. With Doris Dewton leading SPOA, and George Gregory in charge of Design Review, this triumvirate began addressing a number of external issues that would have long term impacts on Singletree. One of the most pressing issues was fire protection, which was provided by the Avon Fire Department at the time under a year-to-year contract. The Avon Fire Department needed updated equipment and more personnel to meet the rapid growth in Edwards and elsewhere in the Valley. The BCMD participated in the Eagle River Fire Protection District and eventually secured funding for the new fire department which serves our area today.

 

Another top priority for BCMD was the Miller Ranch property that had been purchased by the Eagle County School District (“ECSD”) in 1999. The school district submitted a proposal to trade their Eagle River open space parcel that was part of Miller Ranch for a new Battle Mountain High School site at the west end of the equestrian property and rodeo facility. A land swap was arranged, and the new Battle Mountain High School was built.      

 

That same year, Eagle County became the sole owner of the Berry Creek Ranch 5th Filing developed a PUD that would provide land for education, recreation, local work force housing, and open space. The cooperation between Eagle County and the school district resulted in a plan that, among other things, included the construction of the Cemetery Road Bridge and Miller Ranch Road. After the dust settled, Singletree was instrumental in preserving the open space along the Eagle River and gained an additional entrance and exit that is now the Winslow Underpass, as well as recreational and educational facilities to support our community.

 

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An early edition of Singletree News reported that the mill levy in 1998 was 26 mills supporting BCMD operations and debt of over $8M, and by 2007, the mill levy was 12.4 mills supporting operations and debt of just under $3M. In 2023, BCMD was supported by an 8.746 mill levy and its debt service is paid by a 4.554 mill levy.

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BCMD next became active in determining the use of the United States Forest Service (“USFS”) lands along our northern border. The USFS had been entertaining exchanges of their border properties for private inholdings and the USFS lands north of Singletree were often the subject of such considerations.

 

In November 2001, SPOA and BCMD established the Singletree Committee for Trails and Open Space. The White River National Forest was completing their Trail Plan that would impact existing and future use of the areas above Singletree. Singletree had unrecognized trails that went through BCMD properties to and through USFS properties. With the cooperation of the USFS, SPOA accomplished recognition of the Singletree trail accesses in the Trail Plan and began negotiations for possible other trailheads in the community.  

 

One of the most vigorous and driving forces behind the Singletree trail system was Peter Berg, a retired landscape architect who served on the Metro District board. Though recently deceased, Peter’s contributions to Singletree for trail development are significant and have cemented his legacy. It was Peter who persuaded the board to buy a lot on June Creek Road to provide future trail access. This access, just north of the intersection with Chaparral Road, became the eventual access point for the Avon connector trail and the Wild West Trail that connects to the June Creek Trail. Peter also established the tree lined entrance on both Berry Creek Road and Miller Ranch Road.

 

In the Spring 2007, Singletree, Avon, and the USFS entered into an Inter-Governmental Agreement (“IGA”) that established a long-term plan for trails and eliminated motorized use for all trail entrances and exits to Singletree. The USFS supported this effort. The IGA acknowledged that Singletree’s primary objective was to secure open space for our northern boundary.

 

In 2008, the new Knob Hill Trail was laid out and constructed with the help of USFS personnel and a team of local volunteers led by Lee Rimel. Johannes Faessler granted BCMD an easement through the golf course that allowed this trail to be built. Later, the Singletree/Avon Connector trail was completed as part of the broader West Avon Preserve plan. Lee Rimel established the Wild West trail for mountain bikers and hikers that connects to the June Creek trail. The Charolais Pond Trail was re-routed and connected to the Berry Creek USFS Road which eventually connects back to the June Creek Trail. Lee Rimel continues to be a force in supporting our hiking and biking trails throughout the valley.

 

 

During this period, Chuck Powers agreed to join a new slate of Directors for SPOA and served as its president for the next three years. Under his leadership, a collaborative effort with the Metro District focused on maintaining Singletree as a premier residential community rather than a resort community. Their goals included improving community communications and establishing closer working relationships with Eagle County, CDOT, the Forest Service, and the other Edwards area Metro Districts.

 

To fulfill the goal of creating a desirable residential community, in 2014, the Singletree News was launched, the community website was created, and the Summer Party debuted as a festive barbecue at the Community Center with entertainment provided by a country and western band. The success of that party would not have happened were it not for the efforts of Teri Martinez, our SPOA representative for many years.

 

Another problem that SPOA wrestled with, and eventually solved, was the Winslow Road underpass. It was too narrow, and particularly dangerous for pedestrian and vehicle use in the winter. SPOA initiated a conversation with CDOT engineers and Eagle County to determine if it was feasible to widen the underpass. All parties were receptive as long as Singletree agreed to pay for the project. BCMD led the initial design and engineering work using SPOA funds, and Mike Budd, a then member of the Board, agreed to manage the project.

 

BCMD ultimately agreed to the funding plan and the design you see today was accomplished when the residents approved a $3.6M bond issue by a margin of 2 to 1. Construction started and was completed in 2008. The result is a much safer, attractive passageway to the schools and recreational fields.