2025_April_CCC Clear Creek Trail Construction-11 Huntsman Segment_quarter

Huntsman Segment Major Milestone

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2025_April_CCC Clear Creek Trail Construction-11 Huntsman Segment_quarter

Traffic comes to halt in both directions on Hwy-6 as construction workers place bridges over Clear Creek and create the underpass for river access as Peaks to Plains Trail makes substantial progress.

Canyon Project Hits Major Milestone With Huntsman Segment of the Clear Creek Trail

By Vicky Gits, PLAN Jeffco Staff Writer

Photos courtesy of Anne Ludolph, Jeffco Parks & Open Space Multimedia Specialist

UPDATE 11/20/2025: The trailhead formerly known as the “as yet to be named trailhead” now has a name. The CCR (Colorado Central Railroad) Trailhead was the site of a grand opening ceremony for the eastern 1.25 miles of the Huntsman Segment on this day.

An engineering miracle on Jeffco Parks & Open Space land is nearing completion in Clear Creek Canyon along U.S. 6. Just beyond Tunnel One, the new segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail is expected to partially open before the end of 2025.  This is a moment that Open Space has been planning for years.

Currently under construction is a 3-mile concrete trail deep inside one of the least forgiving passages along the rugged river’s granite gorge. Read more

How to be a horse-friendly biker, SB25-149

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Horseback riders in the parks in the spring

Since the recent passage of Colorado Senate Bill 25-149, the “Local Government Duties Equestrian Protections”, or the Equestrian Bill of Rights, as it’s more familiarly called, Miss Mountain Manners has decided that it’s time to refresh this post on how to share the trail with equestrian visitors.

SB25-149 aims to enhance equestrian safety by:

  • allowing municipalities and counties to create equestrian zones, which are defined as areas with public equestrian venues, residential neighborhoods with significant equestrian activity, or properties that serve the equestrian community;
  • Read more

Leave No Trace Training for All

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In memory of our beloved Board member Bette Seeland, we’re republishing a few of the articles in which she was a major contributor…this is one of them.

 

Leave No Trace — do you really understand what it means? LNT is introducing a free course on the principles of Leave No Trace.  Training for All calls upon people of all different backgrounds and outdoor experiences to take action by participating in Leave No Trace’s free 45-minute virtual outdoor education course. Read more

Alpine Sunflowers in the High Country - Centennial Cone OS Park

Why Use Conservation Easements

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Alpine Sunflowers in the High Country - Centennial Cone OS Park

By Don Moore, PLAN Jeffco Board Member

An important tool in the toolbox to preserve open lands and natural landscapes is the use of conservation easements. Conservation easements have been increasingly gaining favor in recent years as a means to preserve wildlife habitat and agriculture lands, and to protect scenic views, lands for recreation, and lands of significant ecological, historic, or cultural value. Read more

SLASH 2025 Calendar image

SLASH 2025

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SLASH 2025 Calendar image

The 2025 SLASH season is upon us. From May 16th to October 26th, four SLASH collection sites will be open for business , mostly on Thursdays thru Sundays, 9AM to 4PM, unless otherwise posted. You should plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to closing. Read more

Miles and Miles of Trails

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JCOS Dashboard image

In memory of our beloved Board member Bette Seeland, we’re republishing a few of the articles in which she was a major contributor…this is one of them.

Have you ever wondered how many miles of trails are included in our Jeffco Open Space parks? Can you guess how many acres have been preserved? or how much land is under direct management by JCOS? Here’s the place to find out…the Jefferson County Open Space Dashboard.

Read more

Female park ranger cartoon

DEAR MISS MOUNTAIN MANNERS – An Advice Column on Multi-Use Trail Etiquette

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In memory of our beloved Board member Bette Seeland, we’re republishing a few of the articles in which she was a major contributor…this is one of them.

Dear Miss Mountain Manners: When I got to my favorite Jeffco Open Space Park for a hike, the parking lot was full. What should I do? Feeling Shutout

Dear Shutout: You could walk close to home instead of driving to a park. Do not park on the road shoulder leading to the park. Download, sign up, then check the LotSpot parking lot app to find a park not currently overcrowded.  Come at a time when the park is less crowded such as weekdays, before 9 am or after 3 pm.

Read more