Finances & roads
Gallina Canyon Road is kept open by the neighbors who use it. GCNA’s commissioners hire a contractor for grading, gravel and repairs, arrange snow plowing, and call volunteer work days, all paid for by annual dues from lot owners. Today, those dues barely cover minimal maintenance, and they fall short in heavy snow years.
Grading and gravel
Regular grading to smooth ruts and washboard, and fresh gravel on worn sections.
Drainage and flood repair
Ditches and culverts that carry storm water off the road, and repairs when floods wash it out.
Snow plowing
Plowing after winter storms so residents can get in and out safely. The last two dry winters kept plowing costs unusually low, and the neighbor who has plowed the road can no longer do it, so plowing will likely cost more this winter.
Volunteer work days
Neighbors pitching in on smaller jobs, called by the commissioners with a week’s notice.
2024: several flash floods washed out a section of the road. Rebuilding it took heavy equipment and cost more than the year’s dues brought in. Reserves covered the gap, but a second bad year would leave the account nearly empty.
27 of 90
Lot owners paid dues (about 30%)
22 of 58
Resident owners paid (about 38%)
5 of 32
Land-only owners paid (about 16%)
Residents drive the road every day, and landowners depend on it to reach and maintain their property, which is why land-only lots pay a reduced rate. Right now fewer than a third of owners carry the cost for everyone.
At today’s rates ($400 per resident lot, $200 per land-only lot), here’s what GCNA could do each year at different levels of participation:
Today · 30% paying
$10,800
Minimal maintenance only; short in heavy snow years
Half of owners
$14,800
Grade more often and keep a snow reserve
Three-quarters
$22,200
Gravel rough sections, add culverts and drainage
Every owner
$29,600
Finish the improvements, then lower dues for everyone
Once the road is in good shape, dues could come down. With every owner paying, today’s $10,800 budget would cost about $146 per resident lot and $73 per land-only lot.
Dues are $400 a year for resident lots; land-only lots pay a reduced rate. You can also add an optional tax-deductible donation.
Want to help on a work day or report a problem on the road? Contact the commissioners.