2024 Conservation Awards Ceremony Pays Tribute to John Litz

By Vicky Gits

Once a year, Jefferson County Open Space honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and exemplary effort as volunteers on behalf of Open Space Parks, as well as the causes on behalf of land preservation and involvement.

About 300 people attended this year’s Conservation Award event at the Lakewood Cultural Center Jan. 31. Members of the Open Space staff nominate candidates and choose the winners.

The highlight was a video tribute to volunteer role model John Litz, longtime board member of PLAN Jeffco, who died Dec. 29, 2023 at age 87. Although suffering from cancer, Litz continued to serve as an active member of both the PLAN Jeffco Board and the Open Space Advisory Committee before he died.

Among many other things, Litz was noted for advocating the establishment of a volunteer function in Open Space and for identifying strategically important lands. Litz was also famous for his spreadsheets and strategies for financing acquisitions.

“We would not be here without John,” said Tom Hoby, Executive Director of Open Space.

John Litz Stewardship Fund

An anonymous donor contributed $15,000 to start a John Litz Stewardship Fund and Jeffco Open Space Foundation contributed $25,000 toward a goal of $100,000. Contributions can be made at coloradogives.org. Funds are for public lands volunteerism, visitor stewardship, courtesy education and scholarships for conservation careers.

The 2024 Conservation Awards

Aspen Award – Tom Elliott, Rookie Park Patroller

Named as the outstanding first-year volunteer, Tom Elliott served as a Nature Center Ranger. He stood out for his way of making people feel like they are having fun while learning. His ability to speak Spanish is helpful with Spanish-speaking students. He has an engaging way of reminding visitors to abide by the rules, without offending them. To Elliott, a retired educator, translating the language is an important element of teaching.

Rocky Mountain Juniper Award – Mark Hinchman, Trails and Restoration

Hinchman logged an impressive 600 volunteer hours in 2023, mostly as an enthusiastic member of the Trails Volunteer Team. He makes an extra effort to help others understand the big picture behind the physical work activities. He is an effective advocate for stewardship. He absolutely loves any and all kind of rock work, the outdoors and the physical activity.

The Douglas Fir Award – The Conservation Fund-Mount Tom Project

The Conservation Fund won kudos for its critical work in bringing together the landowners whose participation made possible the landmark preservation of 2,100 acres, valued at $25 million, near the Douglas Mountain Study Area and the Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area, only 20 minutes from Denver. It also was able to pre-acquire one of the key parcels to protect it from development. Jeffco Open Space partnered with TCF, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado and Mountain Area Land Trust to bring the deal to fruition. As a result, there will someday be a new trail to the top of Mount Tom (9,741 feet).

Blue Spruce Award – Inclusive Guide

The Inclusive Guide, co-founded by Crystal Egli and Parker McMullen Bushman, created a Yelp-like website, inclusivejourneys.com, that helps people connect to safe and welcoming spaces and holds businesses and organizations accountable as customer-friendly and inclusive. JCOS parks and trails was the first open space agency to be listed in the guide. The Inclusive Guide helps eliminate the element of uncertainty involved in visiting public parks and other places.

Gambel Oak – Eagle’s Nest Owl’s Roost (ENOR)

In its 50th year, ENOR Environmental Discovery Camp provides educational week-long, all-day outdoor summer day camp experiences to help 4th to 8th -graders learn about the outdoors and principles of stewardship. Jefferson County is the only county in the state to have this kind of program. The Colorado State University Extension 4H office is the managing agency. In 50 years about 20,000 youth have attended the camps.

John Litz Award – Leslie O’Connor, Park Patroller, 20 years

O’Connor was instrumental in creating the park patroller program and is renowned for being an outstanding role model to all volunteers. After 20 years in service, O’Connor remains involved and excited about connecting people with open space. She says her reward is having the opportunity to engage with people and talk to them about nature and the parks.

To view videos of each of the Conservation Awards:

2024 Conservation Awards – Aspen Award – Tom Elliott

2024 Conservation Awards – Rocky Mountain Juniper Award – Mark Hinchman

2024 Conservation Awards – Douglas Fir Award – Conservation Fund

2024 Conservation Awards – Blue Spruce Award – Inclusive Guide

2024 Conservation Awards – Gambel Oak – ENOR Environmental Discovery Camp

2024 Conservation Awards – John Litz Award – Leslie O’Connor