EAGLE’S NEST OWL’S ROOST (ENOR) Environmental Discovery Camp of Colorado State University Extension in Jefferson County celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.
The camp began in the 1970’s and has pioneered education for over 20,000 children in 4th through 8th grade, in outdoor skills and stewardship of the local open spaces and trails. Read more
Fred Naess, 30-year Volunteer Park Patroller & PLAN Jeffco Board Member
What’s it like to be a Volunteer Park Patroller with Jeffco Open Space?
With over two dozen parks, more than 270 miles of trails and nearly 60,000 acres in the system, a Volunteer Park Patroller has many options. Once you’ve been vetted and trained as a Park Patroller, you can sign up for a specific date and time at a park of your choice, but there’s no rule that says you can’t spontaneously “stop by” a park on the way home from work. It’s unlikely you’ll see another Volunteer Patroller, except perhaps on a busy summer weekend, but if you do, there are plenty of other alternative parks to visit for a patrol, none of them very far away.
The range of park experiences is huge. Read more
(Apologies to the Five Man Electrical Band and their recording of “Signs”, circa 1970).
Signs guide us as we travel through life. Signs are part of our everyday life; they’re everywhere we look…
There are signs happy signs, announcing fun events that we may want to take part in:
Read more
Have you seen a moose in our Open Space parks yet? If you haven’t, you may soon. Moose, which was a rarity in Colorado only 50 years ago, are now routinely sighted in Clear Creek and Jefferson Counties since their introduction in 1978 — transplants from Utah and Wyoming. The transplants have delighted in their new home state. According to biologists from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, there are an estimated 3500 moose roaming the Rockies between Red Feather Lakes and Pagosa Springs. Read more
Do you want to learn more about public lands and how to preserve them for future generations?
Join staff from PLAN Jeffco, Jefferson County Open Space, Jeffco County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper, and Colorado Senator Lisa Cutter for a riveting and fast-paced day of learning and discussion at the second annual PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy, a one-day seminar open to the public, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. Lunch included.
The Academy offers presentations by local experts in conservation, biodiversity, land management and stewardship, and how to advocate for open space lands. Engage with PLAN Jeffco Board members, Jeffco Open Space staff, Jeffco Commissioner Dahlkemper, Senator Lisa Cutter, and Carmela Montenegro of “Not Mad Just Misunderstood”, learn from their experiences, and enjoy meeting others who share your love of the land.
Topics include the history of Jeffco Open Space, physical and biological components of ecosystems, impacts of human population, visitor experience and trail courtesy, strategies for encouraging inclusivity, land conservation and grassroots advocacy.
There will be an optional Stewardship Day on Sunday, April 30th, at one of the Jeffco Open Space parks under the guidance of an Open Space Field Specialist.
In 1972, PLAN Jeffco launched the citizen’s initiative which created the Jeffco Open Space program, protecting from development more than 60,000 acres, comprising Open Space 27 parks.
Enrollment starts March 1 at https://tinyurl.com/ypv67yh9
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 9 AM to 4 PM
American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden CO
$17 fee, includes a one-year digital membership with PLAN Jeffco — limited scholarships available.
For more information contact: Co*******@********co.org
Connect to EventBrite to make your reservation,
or download this form, fill it out, and mail with your check for $17 to
PLAN Jeffco
11010 West 29th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215
*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact ac*****@********co.org for more information.
PLAN Jeffco Academy Presents: Stewardship of Open LandsALERT: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy has been postponed until Spring ’23.
Join us for our full-day Stewardship Academy. Learn how open space conservation started in Jefferson County, why such lands are important, and increase your understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of open lands.
PLAN Jeffco was the driving force behind development of the outstanding Jefferson County Open Space Program that serves so many. We want to help others to experience greater enjoyment and appreciation of open lands.
This full-day program is scheduled for Saturday, October 29th 9 am-4 pm
at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado
There will be an optional Friday afternoon field project on October 28th for those who are interested in a hands-on field experience
$35 Enrollment fee* includes:
Connect to PayPal to make your reservation,
or download this form, fill it out, and mail with your check for $35 to
PLAN Jeffco
11010 West 29th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215
*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact ac*****@********co.org for more information.
Don’t waste this opportunity!
SLASH collections are winding down. Oct 6th through Oct 9th, SLASH will be at the Rainbow Hills Foothills Fire Station, 28812 Rainbow Hill Road, Golden.
SLASH will wind up the season at Blue Mountain Open Space, 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Coal Creek Canyon Rd (Hwy-72) and Hwy-93. SLASH will be at Blue Mountain every Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday until November 6th, 2022.
Don’t waste this opportunity, get rid of that stuff that’s been hanging around the house!
What is SLASH?
Slash is debris from nature, such as tree limbs, prunings and pine needles. If not removed, slash can add to potential fire hazards on your property. The importance of mitigating and preparing your property for wildfire cannot be overstated – and again this year, Jefferson County is your partner in this effort. Following is the proposed schedule for SLASH collection during the Summer and Fall of 2022.
Not sure what qualifies as SLASH? Check below for what is acceptable and what’s not.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. This posting will not be automatically updated if/when the schedule changes, so click the More Details link for the location/day you plan to contribute to the SLASH pile in your area to ensure they’ll be waiting for you.
SLASH Collection Calendar for Summer & Fall 2022
Slash Collection at Beaver Ranch Park
@ Beaver Ranch Park, 11369 South Foxton Road, Conifer, CO 80433
June 2, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 5, 2022, 4:00 PM
June 9, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 12, 2022, 4:00 PM
June 16, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 19, 2022, 4:00 PM
June 23, 2022, 9:00 AM - June 26, 2022, 4:00 PM
Slash Collection at Shaffer’s Crossing Aggregate Pile Site
@ Shaffer’s Crossing Road & Bridge Aggregate Pile Site – located at the intersection of Hwy 285 and Elk Creek Road, 12996 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80433
July 1, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 3, 2022, 4:00 PM
July 8, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 10, 2022, 4:00 PM
July 15, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 17, 2022, 4:00 PM
July 22, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 24, 2022, 4:00 PM
Slash Collection at Settlers Drive Property
@ Settlers Drive Property, 8335 Settlers Drive, Morrison, CO 80465
July 28, 2022, 9:00 AM - July 31, 2022, 4:00 AM
August 4, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 7, 2022, 4:00 AM
August 11, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 14, 2022, 4:00 AM
Slash Collection at Marshdale Property
@ Marshdale Property is located near the intersection of Cty Rd 73 and N Turkey Creek Road, across the street from Marshdale Elementary School. 26624 N Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439
August 18, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 21, 2022, 4:00 PM
August 25, 2022, 9:00 AM - August 28, 2022, 4:00 PM
September 1, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 4, 2022, 4:00 PM
Slash Collection at Tin Cup Ridge Park (Rooney Rd)
@ Slash collection at Tin Cup Ridge Park is located just south of the Rooney Road Sports Complex. 151 S Rooney Rd, Golden, CO 80401
September 8, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 11, 2022, 4:00 PM
September 15, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 18, 2022, 4:00 PM
September 22, 2022, 9:00 AM - September 25, 2022, 4:00 PM
September 29, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 2, 2022, 4:00 PM
Slash Collection at Foothills Fire Dept, Rainbow Hills
@ Foothills Fire Dept, Rainbow Hills Station, 28812 Rainbow Hill Rd, Golden, CO 80439
October 6, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 9, 2022, 4:00 PM
Slash Collection at Blue Mountain Open Space
@ Blue Mountain Open Space – This site is located approximately 1.5 miles west from the intersection of Coal Creek Canyon Road (Highway 72) and Highway 93. 23401 Coal Creek Canyon Road, Arvada, CO 80007
October 13, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 16, 2022, 4:00 PM
October 20, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 23, 2022, 4:00 PM
October 27, 2022, 9:00 AM - October 30, 2022, 4:00 PM
November 3, 2022, 9:00 AM - November 6, 2022, 4:00 PM
What is accepted?
Slash – limbs, branches and tree debris
Maximum length – 8 feet
Maximum diameter – 6 inches
Pine needles, tree bark and pine cones (unbagged)
What is NOT accepted?
Household trash
Tree stumps
Construction material and lumber
Metal material of any kind
Rocks
Yard waste/grass clippings
Bags of any kind
Fees for Slash Drop-off
Any size truck or trailer is welcome at Jefferson County Slash Collection sites. Dump fees are based on six cubic yards (162 cubic feet) of material: 6 yards = 1 load. The cost to drop off a single load is $20. Credit cards only.
This is equivalent to:
Truck bed full to truck cab height
Trailer up to 8′ l x 5′ w x 4′ h
Loads outside these parameters will be charged accordingly.
Miss Mountain Manners wants you to know that this is a public service announcement, and urges you to safeguard your home; fire season is year-round now. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to clear out the flammable slash before it’s too late.
Nearly a year ago this article on the The Conservation Greenprint, the guideline by which JeffCo Open Space directs its parks and trails management and administration, was posted. It’s time to take a look at it again, and see what’s been accomplished, and what still needs to be done.
If you’re a frequent Open Space Park Visitor, maybe you’ve noticed there have been quite a few changes lately. If you’ve ever wondered why, and what’s happening to the Parks, here’s your chance to find out. There’s a document called The Jefferson County Open Space 2020-2025 Conservation Greenprint that lays out what the goals are for the next half-decade.
The Conservation Greenprint is part of a set of documents called the Jeffco Open Space 2020 – 2025 Conservation Greenprint References, which you can peruse by clicking here.
We have a summary copy of the Conservation Greenprint in our Library, which you can read and download by clicking here.
While you’re in reading mode, we also have downloadable copies of the Jeffco Open Space 2020 Preservation Progress Annual Report and the Dinosaur Ridge Master Plan 2019 in our Library — so stop and by and have a read!
Subscribe, share, follow us at @PLANJeffco, @MannersMountain, Facebook.com/PLANJeffco — we appreciate your support!
Miss Mountain Manners here. THE SECRET IS OUT. Everyone seems to know that the place to be is outside in our Open Space parks. How did that happen, and how do we deal with the fact that there are toooo many people out there: hikers, bikers, riders, runners – you name it. Can we live with each other? What about 50 years from now?? (The open space program will be 50 years young in 2022.) What are the alternatives???
We aren’t alone. The national parks are being overrun. National Park attendance has spiked since 2019 (327 million visitors) with usage of many parks doubling (2020 use was down due to COVID and park closures). Read more
JCOS’ pilot program shuttles visitors to and from the Open Space parks while avoiding the hassle of overcrowded trailhead parking has expanded!
Partnering with Lyft, new Parks have been added to the Rideshare Discount. Now hikers can ride to the following Park trailheads with reduced fare:
North Table Mountain Park – West Trailhead
White Ranch Park – East Trailhead
South Table Mountain Park – Camp George West Trailhead
South Table Mountain Park – Golden Hills Access
Mount Falcon Park – Morrison Trailhead
Van Bibber Park – East & West Trailheads
Matthews/Winters Park
Dino Ridge Visitor Center
Crown Hill Park
Through December 31, Lyft users can take advantage of a $2.50 reduction in their fare each direction by using code JCOS2021 in the “rewards” section of the Lyft app. Discounts will be valid during park hours, seven days a week, to the locations listed above.
Miss Mountain Manners wants to let everyone at JeffCo Open Space know how proud we at PLAN Jeffco are of the terrific work that they’re doing. The next time you’re in one of our Parks and you see a JCOS Staffer or Volunteer, introduce yourself and say, “thank you”.
Subscribe, share, follow us at @PLANJeffco, @MannersMountain, Facebook.com/PLANJeffco — we appreciate your support!
