March 2023 Newsletter
Inside this issue: Stewardship Academy; Conservation Awards; Peaks to Plains; Acquisitions; Lubahn Trail; Hall of Fame; OSAC Notes
Is Mud Season Really Over?
If you’re a regular — or even an occasional — visitor to our Jeffco Open Space Parks, you’ll know about the mud season routine. Walk through, not around the mud.
We’ve had a fabulous spring this year, the mud was intense for a while, but now that the daily rains have slackened off, is mud season really over?
I doubt it. Read more
LEARNING ABOUT THE LAND IN ‘23
How do you describe a day full of learning, a day full of presentations on ecosystems, and the many ways to conserve our natural resources? It was fun. It was engaging. It created an awareness of what is happening in the conservation world and what each of us can do about it.
On the 29th of April, 2023, a room full of open space enthusiasts gathered to hear the full story of Jefferson County Open Space, from how it was in the beginning, to the geological, climatological, and biological treasures encompassed within and outside the parks, to future directions in visitor management. Alternative methods of land conservation were introduced. Interactive discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion, and advocacy kept the participants engaged throughout the day. Read more
Git Yer SLASH On
The 2023 SLASH Schedule – it’s that time of year, time to collect up all that woody debris that’s been hanging out in the yard and getting rid of it. SLASH collections have started and will continue through the summer and into the fall.
When and where? and what time are the SLASH sites open?
All the SLASH sites will open at 9AM. The last load will be admitted at 3:30PM.
Mount Tom is Conserved!
On Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, a joint effort between Jeffco Open Space, The Conservation Fund, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and Great Outdoors Colorado came to fruition with the conservation of some 2,000 acres within the Mount Tom Conservation Corridor area. This swath of land is located adjacent to the Ralston Creek State Wildlife Area, northwest of Denver and Golden.
The Mount Tom Conservation Corridor is comprised of fee-owned and conservation easements. It connects to other previously conserved areas, extending in a landscape-wide manner the natural resources for wildlife and Colorado communities while protecting floral and faunal species of special concern, as well as endangered species that live in this area, plus a critical watershed, the headwaters of Van Bibber Creek, a tributary of the South Platte River. The area is not yet open to the public, but following intensive monitoring, investigation and inventory of the future preserve, access for outdoor recreation for the publicly-owned sections are planned.
To read the entire press release, go to the JCOS News Flash here.
Another success for land acquisition! Let’s hear it for this quorum of conservation organizations — many thanks to all the fine folk who worked so long and so hard to make this happen.
PLAN Jeffco treasurer John Litz named to the Jefferson County Hall of Fame 2022
“Few people have benefited Jefferson County and the surrounding area more than John Litz.”
—Jefferson County Historical Commission, Historically Jeffco magazine 2022
In recognition of the multitude of responsibilities John Litz has generously assumed on behalf of the community over many years, the Jefferson County Historical Commission has named John Litz to the Jefferson County Hall of Fame 2022. Read more
Conservation Smart Brief 11/17/2022
PLAN Jeffco started with an idea that open spaces are vitally important to the health and welfare of all, and since 1972 has been building on that idea. Time brings change, and so PLAN Jeffco has had to consistently adjust as change occurs.
PLAN Jeffco tries to keep its thumb on the pulse of the conservation community. Every month, as part of our regular Board meetings, there’s a “President’s Report”, which records the activities of various conservation groups that PLAN Jeffco feels are community leaders. We’ve decided to share as much of this information with you, dear reader, as we can, so that you can understand where we’re going, and why.
Conservation Smart Brief, November 17, 2022:
Recently posted to our website blog:
2020-2025 Conservation Greenprint – September 2022
Open Space Update – August 2022
Jeffco Open Space News & Events
https://www.jeffco.us/1523/News-Events
Know before you go! Check these sites for additional information on Park and Trail closures, openings, and other operations that may impact your Jeffco Open Space Park experience…
Jeffco Fairgrounds – calendar
https://www.jeffco.us/calendar.aspx?CID=27
Denver Area Mineral Dealers Gem & Mineral Show, Exhibit Halls, November 18th & 19th, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, November 20th, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Summit School of Chess Youth Chess Tournament, Exhibit Halls, December 3, 2022, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Westernaires Holiday Party, Exhibit Halls, December 11, 2022, 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
4-H Ring Rides, Event Center, December 13, 2022, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Convenience Pet Hospitals’ Golden Holiday Pet Bazaar, Exhibit Halls 1 & 2, December 17 & 18, 2022, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
…and much more. Please check the Fairgrounds website calendar for detailed information for these events.
Colorado Open Lands
https://coloradoopenlands.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoOpenLands
Arkansas River Community Preserve in southern Lake County adds 100 acres, thanks to a decade-plus collaboration between Central Colorado Conservancy, Lake County, Colorado Open Lands, funders and other partners. The ARC Preserve protects important wetlands and wildlife habitat for bighorn sheep, elk, beaver, and many bird species. The public will be able to access the area in about a year to hike, fish, and more.
Big Country Ranch, 698 acres in Grand County, connects a portion of Arapahoe National Forest to large swaths of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and other private conservation easements. The property is a known winter range for elk, and habitat for Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse, bighorn sheep, black bear, pronghorn, mule deer, and numerous songbirds, raptors, small mammals, amphibians and lizards. Wetlands and several small ponds and a reservoir provide additional habitat value. The water rights are tied to the land with the easement as well. The Grand County Open Space, Rivers, and Trails program was a project partner.
Big Bend Pasture, located in the upper Tomichi Creek Valley, east of the City of Gunnison, is part of the Irby Ranch cattle and hay operation. The property, which provides summer and fall grazing ground for the family’s cattle, consists of irrigated meadows, sagebrush shrublands, subalpine forest, and ¾-mile of frontage along Big Bend Creek and 1.75 miles of frontage along Marshall Creek. The property is habitat for bald eagle, ferruginous hawk, greater sandhill crane, northern leopard frog, bighorn sheep, black bear, elk, moose, mountain lion and mule deer. It was the largest previously unprotected private property in the Marshall Creek drainage. This project was completed in partnership with Trust for Public Land.
Mountain Area Land Trust
https://www.savetheland.org/ https://www.facebook.com/MountainAreaLandTrustCO/
November 2, 2022: MALT has closed on a conservation easement in Boulder County. This 12-acre property is located west of Boulder, along Sunshine Canyon Drive. This CE is a connector between Boulder County Open Space and BLM lands. It ensures that scenic views of the Bighorn Mountain Natural Landmark are permanently protected, and is recognized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as habitat for many large mammals, including mule deer, elk, black bear and mountain lion.
November 4, 2022: MALT, Keep It Colorado and Park County Land and Water Trust Fund have joined forces to enable the Sacramento Preserve Conservation Easement, 56.5-acres in Park County near the town of Fairplay. This area features a rich riparian and wetlands habitat, beaver ponds, wildlife and a small cabin. The owners, Tri-Walk LLC, Lynn Grams and Christine Smith, wish to preserve their families’ legacy with this Conservation Easement.
Keep It Colorado
Our mission is to unite, elevate and empower Colorado’s conservation community to protect the lands and waters that define our state.
Great Podcasts to Check Out https://www.keepitco.org/podcasts
Stewards of Golden Open Space
SOLVE(Save Open Lands, Vistas and the Environment)
Follow the postings from other Conservation Groups, listed at the bottom of our web pages:
Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA)
https://landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts (to search for a specific land trust organization)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
Jefferson County – Sustainability Commission
Do you have questions about the County Climate Action Plan? Meetings, members and resources? Sustainability awards and the Sustainability Foundation? Find out more at https://www.jeffco.us/3406/Sustainability-Commission
Jefferson County – COVID-19 Updates
Confused about COVID? Find out the latest alerts, recommendations and requirements at https://www.jeffco.us/3999/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19
Watch This Space…
Update on Denver Golf Course
Park Hill golf course’s redevelopment just got a step closer to reality. But the deal is far from done If Westside redevelops the Park Hill golf course, a long-desired grocery store in Northeast Park Hill is not guaranteed. https://denverite.com/2022/10/20/park-hill-golf-course-redevelopment/
Hogback mine expansion in North Golden gets State approval.
To get more information on the Protect The Hogback group, go to https://www.protectthehogback.com/
Bear Creek Reservoir Expansion Proposal
Gross Reservoir Updates
https://www.denverwater.org/grossreservoir
10/01/2022 – Boating season at Gross Reservoir has ended for 2022. There is no on-water recreation between Oct. 1 and May 26. Other recreation activities, including hiking, fishing and picnicking, are permitted year-round, sunrise to sunset. Click here for additional information about recreation at Gross Reservoir.
Climate Change Articles of Interest
How to buy a San Luis Valley reservoir. A local water district, a federal land agency, a state wildlife group and a national environmental nonprofit partnered on a creative water deal with multiple benefits for the valley. https://coloradosun.com/2022/11/02/shaw-reservoir-new-owners/?mc_cid=21b1b3f453&mc_eid=7396f15ef3
Fire Season Updates
Foothills Fire Protection District Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was updated in December 2020. The plan in its entirety is posted at this link: https://foothillsfire.colorado.gov/cwpp
And there you have it. This is part of what we do, who we follow, what we’re interested in, because Conservation just doesn’t happen by itself…it takes a community to make it work. And as always, stay well, stay safe, be conservation-minded at all times.
Open Space Update – October 2022
Autumn – the leaves are turning gold and red and brown and falling to the ground. In some of the higher altitude parks the snows are accumulating, while the critters are getting ready for their long winter’s nap.
Let’s take a look and see what’s been going on at Jeffco Open Space these last two months…
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY 2022 – A WHOPPING SUCCESS
The Clear Creek Trail Open Space Park got a thorough scrubbing on Saturday, September 24th, National Public Lands Day, when nearly 700 volunteers from Jeffco Open Space, the City of Golden and the City of Wheat Ridge cleaned up a 22-mile stretch of the Peaks to Plains Trail. Read more
September 2022 Newsletter
Inside this issue: Stewardship Academy 2022; Conservation Awards; South Table Solar; Mt. Tom Conservation Area; Forest Management; Courtesy Signs; OSAC Notes
SLASH Collections 2022 – Just A Few More Weeks!
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.
