ERBM seeking proposals for Master Plan Development Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation & Park DistrictMeeker, Colorado

Website: https://www.erbmrec.com/

Issue Date: Jul 3, 2026

Proposal Due Date: Jul 31, 2026

Invitation

The Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation & Park District (ERBM) is seeking proposals from qualified consulting firms to provide professional services for the revision of the District's 2012 Recreation, Trails and Parks Master Plan. The successful firm will provide a comprehensive roadmap to guide the ERBM Board of Directors and leadership staff in making critical programming, operational, and capital investment decisions.

The primary focus of this update is to align District services with current community demands, specifically targeting increased recreational programming, expanded outdoor recreation assets, and facility expansion of the Meeker Recreation Center. This project is partially funded by a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Community Impact Grant.

District Background

Headquartered in Meeker, Colorado, ERBM was founded in 1981 and serves a population of approximately 2,500 residents in Eastern Rio Blanco County. The District operates the Meeker Recreation Center (~25,000 sqft), Paintbrush Park (~21 acres), and the Phillip & Dorcas Jensen Memorial Park (~57 acres).

The District is currently navigating a significant transition period. Effective June 1, 2026, the District terminated its lease agreement for Town-owned parks, allowing ERBM to refocus resources exclusively on District-owned assets and programming. This shift, combined with a 27% reduction in revenue since 2017 due to declined assessment valuations and state property tax legislation, necessitates a strategic re-evaluation of long-term sustainability and service delivery.

Project Description & Core Objectives

ERBM’s mission is to “create year-round recreational, cultural, and outdoor experiences that improve well-being and promote a vibrant community for the residents, visitors, and future generations of Eastern Rio Blanco County.” While the 2012 Master Plan successfully guided nearly $8 million in capital improvements, recent data from a 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey indicates a shift in community priorities. The community now expresses a high demand for:

• Increased Recreational Programming: Diverse seasonal offerings for youth, adults, and active adults.

• Expanded Outdoor Assets: Enhancing the quality and connectivity of District-owned parks and the Meeker Trail System.

• Facility Expansion: Addressing the primary unmet need from the 2012 plan for additional recreational program spacing and facility development.

Scope of Work

The consultant will facilitate a 9-month or less planning process consisting of the following key components:

1. Internal Assessment & Project Administration

• Review all existing operations and financial data, including the District’s Cost Recovery Management Plan, impact of legislative revenue caps, mill-levy revenue restrictions, and District operations.

• Maintain weekly progress meetings with the Executive Director and ERBM Strategic Planning Subcommittee, while providing updates to the Board of Directors as determined by the Board. 

2. Comprehensive Community Engagement

• Develop a strategy to gather input from a broad demographic, including under-resourced and vulnerable populations.

• Facilitate 4-5 focus group meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., local leaders and partners, parents, business owners, and both users and non-users).

• Administer a statistically valid community needs assessment survey segmented by race, gender, and age.

3. Resource & Data Collection

• Conduct a demand analysis for programming and space needs to justify facility expansion recommendations.

• Update the GIS inventory of parks, trails, and facilities.

4. Implementation & Final Plan Development

• Develop an action plan with prioritized strategies for the short-term (1-5 years), mid-term (6-10 years), and long-term (11+ years).

• Prioritize recommendations for facility expansion (including financial feasibility and capital outlay) and potential land acquisition based on social, health, and environmental outcomes.

• Provide a legislative and ballot initiative assessment to address critical fiscal constraints.

Preliminary Project Schedule

Milestone	Target Date
RFP Issued	Jul 3, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline	Jul 31, 2026
Consultant Interviews	Aug 5, 2026
Contract Award	Aug 17, 2026
Project Kickoff	Aug 24, 2026
Final Master Plan Completion	9-Months or less from Start Date

Proposal Requirements

Interested firms must submit a proposal that includes:

1. Letter of Submission: Identifying the primary firm contact.

2. Firm Background: Demonstrating experience with rural communities and park master planning.

3. Approach & Methodology: Detailed narrative of how the firm will address operational and financial analysis, programming needs, and asset and facility expansion.

4. Personnel: Résumés of key staff and estimated hours per person.

5. References: Three public agency references for projects of similar scope.

6. Cost Proposal: Itemized "not-to-exceed" costs in a separate sealed envelope.

Project Budget

A total project budget of $200,000.00 has been established, inclusive of consulting fees and in-kind staff contributions.

Submission Information

Proposals should be directed to:

Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation & Park District

ATTN: Josh Embrey, Executive Director101 Ute Road, Meeker, Colorado 81641Email: josh@erbmrec.comPhone: 970-878-7410

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is an open invitation for consulting firms to bid on the master plan development services. Submitting an RFP does not guarantee approval, and ERBM retains the right to reject all bids.