Alana Ruby, In Plein Sight® 2018

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Spring Run Off at Emerald Lake by Allana Ruby

Allana Ruby, Evergreen, CO

Allana is an artist living in Evergreen, Colorado. She primarily paints in oil and enjoys painting en Plein Air as well as still life in the studio.

Kent’s Ford Tractor by Allana Ruby

Allana is currently exhibiting at the Framed Image gallery, Happy Canyon Shopping Center (5066 East Hampden Avenue, Denver)  Blue Monday Show, through August 31st. She is a member of Plein Air Artists Colorado and is showing at the PAAC exhibition in the Sorrel Sky Gallery 2018 Show Catalog (https://bit.ly/2Ldqxpb).

For more information about Allana visit https://bit.ly/2MBc0IC

Allana will be painting in the Open Space Parks as part of In Plein Sight 2018. Come and watch her as she creates her lovely renderings of Jefferson County’s public parks, some of the finest in the country. Her schedule:

Monday 9/10 – Lair O’ the Bear Park, 22550 State Highway 74, Idledale

Tuesday 9/11 – Artists are on their own as we set up the Gallery

Wednesday 9/12 – Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, west trailhead, 5136 South Le Masters Road, Evergreen

Thursday 9/13 – Elk Meadow Park, Lewis Ridge trailhead, 2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen

Friday 9/14 – Centennial Cone Park, Ralph Schell (north) trailhead, 3956 Camino Perdido, Golden

Saturday 9/15 – Clear Creek in Golden (the booth will be opposite the Community Center and adjacent to the trail, at 10th Street and a small parking lot)

The works that Allana creates will be on display and available for purchase at the In Plein Sight 2018 Gallery, Golden Community Center, Coal Creek Room (2nd floor), 1470 10th Street.

Gallery hours:

Wednesday 9/12 – 2 to 8 PM

Thursday 9/13 – 2  to 8 PM

Friday 9/14 – 2 to 6 PM (building closes at 6 PM)

Saturday 9/15 – 10 AM to 8 PM

Sunday 9/16 – 10 AM to 4 PM

Make plans now to join us for In Plein Sight 2018, and celebrate the beauty and wonder of our Jefferson County Open Space Parks.

Welcome Returning Artists to In Plein Sight® 2018

/in , , , , , /by

Windy Platte River by Cliff Austin

On Monday, September 10th, 2018, 25 plein aire artists will descent upon Lair O’the Bear Open Space Park, in the opening act of In Plein Sight® 2018. Nine of these artists are returnees; they were part of the first In Plein Sight® event in October 2016. PLAN Jeffco proudly welcomes them back.

Cliff Austin, Littleton CO

Windy Platte River by Cliff Austin

Windy Platte River by Cliff Austin

Cliff Austin is a graduate of Denver Institute of Technology and The Rocky Mountain School of Art. An award-winning Colorado artist, Cliff has been painting and illustrating since 1980 and is affiliated with several Colorado art organizations including the Pastel Society of Colorado, Plein Air Artists of Colorado, Oil Painters of America and American Impressionists Society. The core of Cliff’s art is the relationship of light on shape using line and tone and color as it wraps and flows around the landscape, cityscape and figures. His work can be described as colorful, impressionistic and abstract. For more information, visit www.cliffaustin.com.

Patty Dwyer, Littleton CO

Image 9723 by Patty Dwyer

Image 9723 by Patty Dwyer

Whether working “en plein air” or in her studio, a sublime connection with nature permeates Patty Dwyer’s paintings, which have been described as expressive, joyful, textural, colorful and ebullient. A self-taught, life-long artist who works primarily in oils and soft pastels, Patty only recently began showing and selling her work. Patty is a member of Plein Air Painters of Colorado, Pastel Artists of Colorado, Greater Castle Rock Art Guild and the Denver Art Students League. As the founding member and chairperson of the Arts Committee at Cherokee Ranch & Castle in Sedalia, she is very involved in building long-term arts and programs at this historic castle and ranch. For more information, visit www.pattydwyerartist.com.

Shelley Howard, Denver CO

Golden Overpass by Shelley Howard

Golden Overpass by Shelley Howard

Originally from Ohio, Shelley Howard received a BFA in drawing and painting from Bowling Green State University, and later an MA in visual arts education from The University of Northern Colorado while teaching art in the public schools in Colorado. From the beginning, her work has been inspired by the architectural landscape in Colorado and New Mexico. The interplay of edges with expressive brushstrokes, or in Shelley’s case, mark making in pastel, helps unify the works while creating a feeling of rhythm throughout each piece. Shelley regularly exhibits her work as an active member of the Pastel Society of Colorado, the Plein Air Artists of Colorado and the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. For more information, visit www.artistshelleyhoward.com.

Janeice Linden, Littleton CO

Storm at Red Tail Overlook by Janeice Linden

Storm at Red Tail Overlook by Janeice Linden

Painting landscape and wildlife has been Janeice Linden’s passion for more than 20 years. She has participated in the Southeastern Wildlife Art Show, Natureworks Art Show and Out West Art Show, and her work has been featured at OPA Salon Show of Traditional Oils, OPA Western Regional Show, Society of Animal Artists Exhibition, American Miniatures and Small Works Great Wonders. Additionally, Janeice’s paintings have been exhibited at Horizon Art Gallery, Settlers West, Wildhorse Gallery and the Beverly McNeil Gallery. For more information, visit https://artofsunshine.com/.

Norbert Nagel, Lakewood CO

Morning Serenity by Norbert Nagel

Morning Serenity by Norbert Nagel

Norbert Nagel is an award-winning plein air artist. Originally from Cincinnati, Norbert moved west to study at Colorado State University. Norbert is an Art Teacher at Jefferson County Public Schools, and he currently teaches art for the City of Lakewood. He currently serves as co-president of the Pastel Society of Colorado. Most of his painting is done en plein air, working to capture the feeling of a landscape more than copying it. Follow Norbert Nagel on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/norbert.nagel.5.

Rodgers Naylor, Denver CO

7:30 AM by Rodgers Naylor

7:30 AM by Rodgers Naylor

Rodgers Naylor takes a strong interest in the effects of light and shadow and warm/cool colors, and is intrigued by the interplay between the landscape and its human inhabitants. Each painting is both an abstract composition of light and dark shapes, and the starting point of a story whose details and conclusions may be imagined by the viewer. Rodgers completes some work “alla prima,” in one painting session, and others as a part of a group of paintings done together over a period of weeks. He paints both in the studio and en plein air. Rodgers is a member of the American Impressionist Society, the Art Students League of Denver, Oil Painters of America and Plein Air Artists Colorado. For more information, visit http://RNaylorStudio.com.

Mike Ray, Littleton CO

South View Red Rocks by Mike Ray

South View Red Rocks by Mike Ray

Mike Ray paints about half of his work on location, outdoors. He has received numerous national and international awards for his pastel painting work and is a Master signature member of the Pastel Society of Colorado. Born and raised in Colorado, most of Mike’s subject matter comes from front range locations west and south of Denver. For more information, visit www.mrray.faso.com.

Jennifer Riefenberg, Castle Rock CO

Aspen Impressions by Jennifer Riefenberg

Aspen Impressions by Jennifer Riefenberg

A fourth-generation Colorado native, born and raised in Jeffco, Jennifer Riefenberg has degrees in engineering and mathematics and is an award-winning plein air artist who feels most at home outside with nature and oil paint. Jennifer is a board member of Plein Air Artists of Colorado (PAAC) and member of the American Impressionist Society, Women Artists of the West, and Oil Painters of America.  She has been juried into national shows with her plein air paintings, including PAAC and WAOW, and has received several awards in area plein air competitions including Best of Day and Award of Excellence (Plein Air Magazine) in Fairplay, Best of Show at Paint the Town in Florence, Best of Quick Draw in Meeker and others. For more information, visit www.artofsunshine.com.

Beverly Thomas, Denver CO

Rocks at Gunnison by Beverly Thomas

Rocks at Gunnison by Beverly Thomas

Most of Beverly’s larger paintings start out as sketches , watercolors or small studies out in the field, where color and shapes are enhanced intuitively. Bev has been a life time painter, teaching for a while in Rhode Island before moving to CO in 2014. Bev’s work can be seen at Artists on Santa Fe in Denver. For more information, visit www.bevthomasonline.com.

Please join us on this opening day of In Plein Sight® 2018, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In Plein Site Artists to Return to Jeffco Sept. 10-16

/0 Comments/in , , /by

SAVE THE DATE! Experience plein air painting and celebrate the beauty of open space in the glorious fall season. Twenty-five select professional artists will be painting in various locations in Jefferson County Open Space parks and along Clear Creek in Golden the week of Sept. 10-15. Their fresh works featuring local scenery will be available for purchase in the Golden Community Center September 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

PLAN Jeffco successfully staged the event for the first time in 2016 and we look forward to doing it again. Everyone is invited to watch the artists as they work and to purchase a work of art. Part of the proceeds benefit PLAN Jeffco.

The following parks will be featured: Lair o’ the Bear (9/10), Alderfer-Three Sisters, barn parking lot (9/12); Elk Meadow – Lewis Ridge parking lot (9/13); Centennial Cone – North trailhead (9/14); Along Clear Creek in Golden (9/15). Artists’ choice on 9/11.

Painting is “Mount Falcon Hills” oil by Robert Moore.

Seasonal Wildlife Closures Begin Feb. 1

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Centennial Cone Park. Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park, including the interior of the park, is closed from February 1 through mid-June to protect elk during their calving season. All other trails are open.

Clear Creek Canyon Park. Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park near Mile Marker 270 are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation and Ghost crag. The Fault Caves are also included in this closure.Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Tunnel 2, are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Highlander, Evil Area, and Tetanus Garden.

North Table Mountain Park. Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

Cathedral Spires Park. Cathedral Spires Park is closed from March 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory.

Crown Hill Park. The Crown Hill Park National Urban Wildlife Refuge is closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.
Each year Jeffco Open Space uses seasonal wildlife closures at the parks to protect species at sensitive times in their life cycles.
Seasonal wildlife closures apply to all park visitors and all types of visitation. (Source: Jeffco Open Space)

Rattlesnake activity closes Cottonwood Canyon Trail

/0 Comments/in , /by

Jeffco Open Space closed the Cottonwood Canyon Trail in North Table Mountain Park Oct. 20 due to rattlesnake activity.  The 1-mile-long trail is accessed from the bottom of the mesa on the east side of the park. For information on closures, see https://www.jeffco.us/964/Parks

In a separate incident, a hiker who was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Mount Galbraith Park on Saturday, Oct. 7, died the next day at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood. The 31-year-old was about 1 and 1/2 miles from the trailhead when he was bitten, according to the Denver Post. A friend called for help and emergency responders hiked in to help him.

Andrew DuBois

OSAC Meeting Notes, Sept 7, 2017

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Open Space Administrative Office

700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO

 September 7, 2017

 STUDY SESSION

3:45 p.m.       Committee to Meet at Open Space

Field Trip:  North Table Mountain Park – Rattlesnake Study, Mary Ann Bonnell

 7:00 p.m.       REGULAR SESSION – PONDEROSA ROOM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
  3. Approval of Minutes  –  Litz moved, West 2nd approved
  4. Additions to Agenda & Determination of Sequence
  5. General Public Comments  None
  6. Information Item

Ride-along Survey, Mary Ann Bonnell.  Is a ten question survey relating to the OSAC ride-along with park services staff.  Questions included:

  • Did it give you a better understanding of the park services duties
  • Did it give a better understanding of the park visitors
  • Did it give a better understanding of park operations
  • Rate the available trailhead services
  • Rate the quality of the trailhead services available
  • Rate the equipment available to park services staff
  • Rate the training of park services staff
  • Rate the number of staff available
  • Any recommendations
  1. Action Items

A. City of Wheat Ridge – Open Space Reverter JCOS17-04, Resolution #17-10, presented by Joy Lucisano

Subordinated the reverter on a portion of the Wheat Ridge Rec Center property to install a storm drainage line from a planned reconstruction of the gas station on the northwest corner of 38th and Kipling.  Litz moved, Murphy 2nd  passed

B. South Table Mountain Park, Public Service Company Agreement, JCOS16-29, Resolution #17-11, presented by Joy Lucisano

To purchase the power line corridor on the western top of South Table Mountain from Public Service.  Public Service will hold an easement for the power lines.  Corridor is 150 feet wide and totals about 14 acres.  Cost is $172,752.  Litz moved, Murphy 2nd  –  passed

  1. Director’s Report

Attached below

  1. Legal Counsel Report  – no report
  2. Open Space Advisory Committee Comments: Discussed the Sept 29 opening of the Big Easy portion of the Peaks to Plains Trail.  .  OSAC members to make their own arrangements.   no comments
  3. Adjournment   at 7:50 p.m.

Jeffco Open Space Advisory Committee, Regular Session – Directors Report

  1. Golden Giddyup Event and Stewardship

On August 19th, 67 volunteers worked at North Table Mountain, Apex and Windy Saddle Parks as part of a combined trail stewardship effort. The project was in partnership with the Giddyup Trail Team who sponsored this event and has donated 2,375 hours of volunteer trail time to our Parks! A special thank you to our Trails Team staff for making this event and our partnership with the Giddyup Trail Team a success. On September 10th, The Golden Giddyup ride/race will culminate in Lions Park to celebrate a year of great trail work and stewardship of JCOS Parks.

  1. PLAN Jeffco celebrated its 45 Anniversary

On August 29th, PLAN Jeffco celebrated its 45th Anniversary with a Summer Picnic in the Park at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center. The event was well received and thank you for those of you that could attend.

  1. Board of County Commissioners Update (included in your Dropbox)
    On August 29th, staff presentation to the BCC for the following:

A. GOCO and Colorado Youth Corps Association

Requested permission to apply for a grant to GOCO and Colorado Youth Corps Association for up to $72,000. The grant funding will support 8 weeks of youth corps crews to complete a variety of stewardship projects such as trail construction and maintenance, fence deconstruction and forest management.

B. Dinosaur Ridge Track Cover Project

Based on feedback received from both the Open Space Advisory Committee and the Board of County Commissioners, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge revised conceptual plans for the dinosaur track cover project. Design revisions include a non-reflective overhead structure composed of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene with a uniform pattern designed to create minimal visual disturbance while allowing sunlight to illuminate the tracks below.

  1. Visit to Pitkin County

On September 5th, Scot Grossman and I meet with Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners and the Open Space and Trails Board to present our Peaks to Plains Trail project. We were invited to share our experiences so Pitkin County can use that information as they embark on a similar project – the 83-mile-long Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail.

  1. JCOS Staffing Change

Zhanna Yermakov resigned as JCOS Stewardship Manager. She accomplished many things during her tenure with us and her work to advance our mission to Preserve, Protect and Provide is greatly appreciated. Mary Ann Bonnell has been appointed as Interim Stewardship Manager.

  1. Edgewater Civic Center Ground Breaking Ceremony

On September 23rd at 10:00 a.m., the City of Edgewater has invited the Committee and other County officials to attend the Edgewater Civic Center Ground Breaking Ceremony. The new facility will be home to several City and County services. Please let Rosanna know if you plan to attend.

  1. Local Park & Recreation Grants

Discussion

 

Note from your editor: Our Open Space Director and Staff have a lot going on. They work hard for the all of us and for the Open Space Parks, and too often, their efforts go unrecognized.  Every month, usually on the 4th Thursday evening, they meet with OSAC  — the Open Space Advisory Committee, a group of county residents, appointed by our Board of County Commissioners. It’s OSAC’s job to review and consult with Open Space staff regarding Park operations and initiatives, and to advise the BCC on such. Until I started regularly attending the OSAC meetings, I had no idea just how hard the Open Space staff works, or even what was going on in the Parks. I suspect that if you’re reading this posting, that you don’t, either. These notes, taken by PLAN Jeffco Board members during an OSAC meeting, is our attempt to help you understand what a valuable resource we have in our Open Space staff.

OSAC Meeting Notes, June 1, 2017

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Our Open Space Director and Staff have a lot going on. They work hard for the all of us and for the Open Space Parks, and too often, their efforts go unrecognized.  Every month, usually on the 4th Thursday evening, they meet with OSAC  — the Open Space Advisory Committee, a group of county residents, appointed by our Board of County Commissioners. It’s OSAC’s job to review and consult with Open Space staff regarding Park operations and initiatives, and to advise the BCC on such. Until I started regularly attending the OSAC meetings, I had no idea just how hard the Open Space staff works, or even what was going on in the Parks. I suspect that if you’re reading this posting, that you don’t, either. These notes, taken by PLAN Jeffco Board members during an OSAC meeting, is our attempt to help you understand what a valuable resource we have in our Open Space staff.

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Open Space Administrative Office, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO

June 1, 2017

AGENDA

3:30 p.m. STUDY SESSION FIELD TRIP

Peaks to Plains, Scot Grossman

The majority of OSAC participated in the field trip.  We took I-70 to the top of Floyd Hill then down to Clear Creek past the North Floyd Hill property acquired in partnership with Clear Creek County.  Clear Creek County anticipates putting up to 5 miles of trail on the property including a trail down to Clear Creek at the “ox bow” on the Peaks 2 Plains Trail.  MALT holds an easement on the property and will assist in the trail planning.

We then proceeded to the “Big Easy” area, about one-half mile east of the Mayhem Gulch Trailhead.  During the early part of this year, Open Spaces contractor shaved a cliff and put up a concrete wall to allow room to build three lanes of US 6 north of the original alignment.  On May 2 and 3, the highway was moved onto the new alignment and a pedestrian bridge was placed across the creek .  The original highway alignment is being converted into a parking lot for about 60 cars.  The area between the parking lot and creek will become a developed recreation area restrooms, shelters, tables, and access to the creek.

The bridge leads across the creek and the trail goes west for about 3/4 miles to connect with the existing Peaks 2 Plains trail.  The Mayhem Gulch parking lot is being expanded for about 50 more cars.  The area has new signage which is much more explicit than before and hopefully will make it easier for visitors to navigate and not be confused about the alternating week-end days on Centennial Cone.
6:00 p.m. PONDEROSA ROOM, OSAC Administrative Office

Final Review of Presentation for June 8th BCC/Committee Meeting

June 8, OSAC meets with the Board of County Commissioners.  We reviewed the presentation to be used and suggested changes.  OSAC members make the presentation, not staff.

 

7:00 p.m. REGULAR SESSION – PONDEROSA ROOM

Call Meeting to Order

Roll Call and Determination of Quorum

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the April 6 meeting were approved as presented.

Additions to Agenda & Determination of Sequence

No additions

General Public Comment

No public comment

Information Items

2017 Park Regulations Update, Mary Ann Bonnell. Mary Ann Bonnell presented the updated park regulations.  It had been about 4 or 5 years since the last changes were made.  The proposed regulations are listed below.  OSAC will vote on these at another meeting.

Planning & Projects Team Update, Nancy York & Scot Grossman. Nancy noted that this year Open Space had reviewed more than 300 cases and provided comments on 17.  One of interest is a 25-acre parcel east of Meyer Ranch on South Turkey Creek where the owner is considering a private dog park.

The FLAP grant from the Federal Highway Admin to bring the Rocky Mountain Greenway Trail across Rock Flats has been approved.  Concerns by Broomfield of impact ot the trail on Walnut Creek has led to moving the trail to the south and west sides of the Fish & Wildlife Service property.  This route also has the possibility of being used as part of the proposed Front Range trail.  Confirmatory soil samples and analysis will be done before the project begins.  Design is planned in 2018 with construction in 2019.

The Master plan for Beaver Ranch is complete and a community meeting is scheduled for June 7 at 6:00 p.m.

Three updated management plans are scheduled: Ranch area (Map 1), North Plains (Map 2), and the Mesas (including Mt. Galbraith.)

A trail plan for South Table is scheduled for this year.

The 1996 Water Resources Management Plan is being updated.

Projects underway in addition to the P2P on the west, include a new water diversion structure on the South Platte in Pine Valley Park to allow Open Space to maintain their water right.  Removal of the Hall dam in Mt. Galbraith Park is underway.  The P2P trail at the canyon mouth is funded and proposals are due later in June and a contract will be issued in the fall.  It will be a design-build contract with design in 2018 and construction in 2019.

Mesas Region Management Plan Update, Regina Elsner & Andrew Valdez. Regina and Andrew gave a detailed review of the plan development process.  The finished plan will be the basis for making day to day decisions on park management.  The process starts with gathering data, evaluating the data, setting goals within a vision for the park, a monitoring plan, and finally the developed management plan.  The entire processes is a balance between protecting the resource and providing a natural experience.  (An example is signing to stay on trail in sensitive areas and not signing in non-sensitive areas.)  North Table in particular has critical natural resources.  A geo-spacial model for the park has been developed based on density of users and appropriate impact distances.   This will allow evaluation of the placement of existing and potential trails and designation of protected areas.  Two open houses, June 13 and 22, will be held to allow for public input.

Director’s Report

  • 2018-2019 Budget and Fund Balance. The projected fund balances at the end of 2017 and 2018 will be less than one million dollars plus the required reserve.  This will impact the ability for making acquisitions and major capital investments.  It may be necessary to adjust the grant program if a great property or project comes along.
  • JCOS Preservation Progress – 2016 Annual Report. Each year, Jeffco Open Space provides an annual report on accomplishments made toward our 2014-2019 Master Plan goals. The JCOS 2016 Annual Report, Preservation Progress, shares how JCOS has invested in public open space, parks and trails that enrich life throughout Jefferson County.
  • Dakota Ridge Trail Extension Project. Thank you for those who joined staff of the site visit last month of the Dakota Ridge Trail Extension Project. I have heard from many of you how impressed you are with the skill and vision that is being used at that location.
  • Deer Creek Canyon Park – Black Bear Trail Fence Construction Two positive developments have occurred with this project since the last update. First, Lockheed Martin has agreed to waive the requirement for privacy slats on the 2014 Trail Easement fence. Secondly, the fence construction contract will also include installation of approximately 4,400 linear feet of a wildlife friendly wire fence along the north boundary of the County’s 1992 Martin Marietta Trail Easement Agreement. This fence will replace the existing chain link fence, which is required by the Easement Agreement.
  • Jeffco Open Space Volunteers Celebrate Earth Day. On April 22 JCOS staff and their volunteers were very busy celebrating the 47th Annual Earth Day! They participated in the Lakewood Earth Day event, engaging with 675 visitors at the booth. Additionally, 80 volunteers worked on three separate volunteer projects in the parks. At Crown Hill Park, 51 volunteers moved 26 tons of crusher fines to redress existing trails, closed a social trail and erected new fencing. Other volunteer projects took place at Windy Saddle and Clear Creek Canyon Parks in rock climbing areas. Thank you to the Jeffco Open Space Trails, Park Services and Lookout Mountain Nature Center teams for all their hard work in making the events a success.
  • P2P Honors – ACEC and DRCOG.  On April 25, Jeffco Open Space, along with the contractor Muller Engineering Company Inc., received an Honor Award for the Peaks to Plains Trail, from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). Additionally, JCOS was one of eight recipients of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) 2017 Metro Vision Awards. The award is for the three-mile segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail that was opened last year, and DRCOG focused on the community partnerships involved and the future connections the trail will make in the state.
  • Big Easy Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park.  On May 4, a U.S. Highway 6 closure brought us one step closer to the grand opening of the Big Easy Trailhead in Clear Creek Canyon Park. Realigning and paving the highway near mile marker 262.5 allows for construction of a new 50 car parking lot and creek-side recreation area. The closure allowed for the safe delivery and installation of the fourth Peaks to Plains Trail bridge. Spanning 129 feet and weighing over 70,000 pounds, the bridge was built and transported in across Clear Creek.
  • Bark Rangers in the Parks!  The first graduating class of Jeffco Open Space Volunteer Bark Patrollers was May 7, at the Foothills Animal Shelter and supported by Jeffco Animal Control. This is a collaborative effort to provide stewardship education around dog safety and etiquette in our parks through the Park Patroller program. The training integrated important messages around pet licensing and the important work the Shelter does toward animal welfare in the Jeffco community. Jeffco Animal Control officers provided the “test” dog who helped assess temperament for suitability as a dog safety and awareness presence in our parks.
  • 3rd annual Welchester Elementary School Service/Education Day.  On May 10, JCOS held our 3rd annual Welchester Elementary School Service/Education Day at Welchester Tree Grant Park. 37 4th graders and their teachers braved the elements and helped improve their Park as well as learn about its ecosystems. Many thanks to Nature Center staff for preparing and leading the education portion of the morning and the Natural Resources Team for spearheading the service part of the morning.
  • National Trails Day at Dakota Ridge.  Our next large volunteer event is this Saturday, June 3 at Dakota Ridge. National Trails Day is the country’s largest celebration of trails. Staff is encouraging volunteers to joining us in the construction of the Dakota Ridge Trail. Volunteers will be using hand tools to build sustainable rock structures such as, bank turns, rock walls, steps and drops.
  • Beaver Ranch Community Meeting. On June 7, staff will be host a community meeting on the Beaver Ranch Master Plan and Forest Management Project. The event will take place at the Beaver Ranch Main Lodge in Conifer from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Personnel Changes.  Don Klima, Manager of Administration & Real Estate has announced his decision to retire after 30+ yrs. of public service. Don has worn many hats while at JCOS and we are forever grateful for his contributions. In anticipation of Don’s departure, we are happy to report that we have conducted interviews for his replacement.  I’m pleased to announce that our new Administration and Real Estate Manager will be Gina Barton.  Gina will be joining our team on June 19th  which will allow her to spend several weeks transitioning with Don before he departs.  I believe Gina will be a great asset to our already awesome team.  She has worked in the parks and recreation field for over 23 years and has a Bachelors degree in Finance from Regis University.  For the past  19 years she has worked for the City of Westminster Parks, Recreation and Libraries as Management Analyst and as Manager of the City Park and WI

Adjournment

 

What Is a Conservation Easement and Why Do I Care?

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Aubert Ranch was put into permanent conservation in 2006 and owner Maxine Aubert received transferable tax credits through the Mesa Land Trust. Photo courtesy of John Fielder.

What is a conservation easement? And how does a conservation easement compare to the lands owned by the Jefferson County Open Space Program?

The Land Trust Alliance (www.LandTrustAlliance.org) defines a conservation easement as a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. A conservation easement ensures that the land will never be subdivided or commercially developed. In return for “encumbering” the property and restricting future value, the landowner receives tax credits from the State.

Land under a conservation easement is still owned by the original landowners, is generally inhabited by the land owners, and can be worked as an active cattle ranch or farm or whatever it was before the conservation easement was attached to the land. Lands conserved with a conservation easement are not public lands, and the public cannot hike or trek across the land without the express permission of the landowner.

Our Open Space Parks differ from lands preserved with a conservation easement in that the land is owned by the public and administered by Jefferson County, humans are not allowed to live in an Open Space Park, the Park isn’t worked as a ranch or a farm, and the public is encouraged to enjoy the park via the many trails and facilities that are constructed in the Park.

In both cases, the beauty of nature is preserved, and even if we can’t hike a conservation easement (unless the landowner is a personal friend), we can still find pleasure in the fact that these open lands are not going to become a subdivision or a shopping mall.

Conservation easements are not cheap to put in place. The landowner has to pay thousands of dollars in up-front fees (appraisal fees, legal fees, etc) before ever seeing any of the tax credits. In addition, landowners are often land-rich but cash-poor, so tax credit may not be very beneficial to them. Colorado was the first state in the nation to establish a transferable conservation easement tax credit, which they did in 2000. By giving the landowner the option to sell the tax credits to high-income tax payers, the landowner is able to recoup their investment in the conservation easement, and the land is preserved from subdivision and development. This is a win-win-win solution.

But, as with all good solutions, there’s some room for improvement. Rob Bleiberg, Executive Director of the Mesa Land Trust (southwest Colorado), penned an op-ed in The Denver Post, explaining about conservation easements and the some of the issues that the Colorado program has run into.

Conservation Tax Credit Program Too Critical Not To Fix
By Rob Bleiberg, Opinion Columnist, The Denver Post, January 28, 2017

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/28/conservation-tax-credit-program-too-critical-not-to-fix/

Open Space Parks, like ours in Jeffco, are wondrous places, but without the complimentary preservation capability of conservation easements, our State would be a lesser place. By 2016, more than 2.2 million acres of land have been protected by conservation easements.

“Colorado’s future will be defined by the individual decisions that thousands of farmers, ranchers and other landowners make in exercising their private property rights in the coming years. Conservation easements offer an essential tool if we are to pass our state’s grandeur on to future generations.”

Elk Meadow Dog Off-leash Area Meeting Schedule

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Fans of the Jeffco Open Space Dog Off-leash Area (DOLA) are facing changes in their favorite park. The January 11th edition of the Canyon Courier has reported that there will be three public meetings scheduled to discuss the situation.

First meeting, Thursday January 19th at the Buchanan Rec Center, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen. 8 PM. This will include a briefing on the challenges facing the dog park (stream water quality, excessive dog waste, loss of vegetation, stream embankment damage, pedestrian and dog safety), followed by a brainstorming session between DOLA users, residents and Jeffco Open Space staff.

Second meeting, Thursday February 9th, presumably also at the Buchanan Rec Center, 8 PM. At this meeting, DOLA users, residents and Jeffco Open Space staff will categorize potential solutions and narrow down the options.

Third meeting, Thursday February 23rd, presumably also at the Buchanan Rec Center, 8 PM. At this meeting, Jeffco Open Space staff will present the solutions and an action plan for the DOLA.

If you are a DOLA user, a fan of the park, or simply have an interest in what will happen to the DOLA in upcoming months, plan to attend one or all of these meetings.

If you have a subscription to the Courier newspaper, you can read the entire article here, or paste this link into your web browser:

http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/meetings-scheduled-issues-elk-meadow-leash-area-0

 

John David Phillips, Artist of the Taj

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

john-david-phillips-portrait“All of my paintings are inspired by the effects of light on a place and how it creates a sense of connection to that landscape. That happens in a very personal way for each of us.”

John David Phillips was born in Roswell, New Mexico in 1955. His first memories are of the open vistas and changing skies of the American Southwest.  John began painting at the age of eight, inspired to capture on canvas his impressions of natural beauty wherever he lived; in the Southwest, California, Australia, Texas, and Asia .  He now lives in the  Colorado foothills, painting both in-studio and en plein air.   His goal as an artist is share the many moods inspired by nature.

Artist’s Email:

ph************@ms*.com











Artist’s website: http://www.johndavidphillips.com/

PUBLICATIONS

Phillips’ article “Chamisa in Taos” was featured in the July 2007 issue of American Art Collector Magazine.

Work featured in the July 2007 issue of American Art Collector Magazine, Spring 2007 issue of American Artist’s Workshop Magazine.  

Feature article on Phillips’ Colorado Painting Workshop in Spring 2007 issue of American Artist’s Workshop Magazine.

“The paintings of Colorado artist John David Phillips show an overriding concern for conveying the mood of a scene.  He has a unique approach to lighting, composition and perspective.” – Southwest Art Magazine 

Work featured in Southwest Art’s October 2002 Collector Issue

The paintings of Colorado artist John David Phillips show an overriding concern for conveying the mood of a scene.  He has a unique approach to lighting, composition and perspective.”  —Southwest Art Magazine

Work featured in Art Talk’s December 1999 issue “Eight Young Artists Worth Knowing in the New Millenium”

“John David Phillips’ landscape subjects span a much wider range than can be seen in any one image. They literally go from the darkest of dark scenes, full of mood, to light snow scenes. Drama is evident in his work. Phillips is drawn to unusually lit subjects, and patches of wildly vivid color infuse sometimes otherwise neutral scenes.  In short, his work is distinctive.” – Art Talk Newspaper

Paintings featured in 5280 Denver’s Mile High Magazine.

Featured in Southwest Art Magazine’s December 1999 article “New Directions in Realism”

HIGHLIGHTS

Phillips’ article “Chamisa in Taos” in the July 2007 issue of American Art Collector Magazine

Phillips’ painting “Golden Evening” 36” X 48” is on display in lobby of U.S. Congressional offices, Washington D.C.

Best of show 2005 Plein Air New Mexico Invitational Exhibit, Ventana Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe

Several of Phillips’ landscapes are on display in the Governor’s Office of the Colorado State Capitol Building

Phillips’ painting “From the Top” was purchased by the Denver Art Museum in 2004

Phillips’ work was featured in Southwest Art Magazine’s October 2002 Collector Issue, “Landscape Collections Across the West”

Phillips teaches in-depth painting workshops for Art in the Aspens Workshops, Pueblo

GALLERIES

Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO www.marywilliamsfinearts.com

Art Images & Art at the Loft – Willoughby Galleries, Denver www.artimagesgalleries.com

Total Arts Gallery, Taos, NM www.totalartsgallery.com

AWARDS

2013 Winner of Coutts Museum Juror’s Award, 7th Annual Paint the Parks Mini Competition

 “Golden Evening”, 36″X48″ on display in U.S. Congressional Offices, Washingtion D.C.

Best of Show 2005 Plein Air New Mexico Invitational Exhibit, Ventana Fine Art, Santa Fe

“From the Top”, 18″X24″ was purchased by the Denver Art Museum in 2004

2005-2014 Sangre de Cristo Art’s “Representing the West” Invitational Exhibit, Pueblo, CO

1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2014 OPA National Exhibitions, 2009 OPA Western Exhibit

 

John’s works will be on display at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO, in the Rotunda, from September 19th to October 9th.

 Clear Creek Canyon Park, “Clear Creek Vista”, oil on canvas

Matthews/Winters Park, unnamed, oil on canvas

South Valley Park, unnamed, oil on canvas