CCLC Calendar Photo Contest Reception, Thu 10/30
The Clear Creek Land Conservancy (CCLC) Calendar Photo Contest Reception is this Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at Mount Vernon Country Club. David McKenna, the Art Director at 5280 Magazine and the final judge this year, will give a presentation on his work and a critique of this year winning photographs. There will be appetizers and a cash bar, and this is the perfect time to pick up your CCLC calendars, as they will be unveiled at the reception.
Please feel free to invite friends and supporters. A $15 donation is suggested, or purchase a calendar (which is $15).
RSVP by Monday, October 27th and please include the number and name of your guests. RSVP to:
Claire Riegelman
Executive Director
Clear Creek Land Conservancy
303.718.9546
cl****@***********************cy.org
www.clearcreeklandconservancy.org
JCOS Hosts ‘Trails Talk’ Forum Wed 10/29
Jeffco Open Space to Hold Follow-Up ‘Trails Talk’ Forum
Jeffco Open Space is hosting a second Trails Talk public forum this year to continue the dialog on experiences in the parks and on the trails. Come to listen, join the conversation, or sign up to put boots on the ground.
This event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401 in the first floor conference rooms.
In addition to talk of flood recovery, Jeffco Open Space will provide an update on new trails, the status of working groups, and volunteer involvement opportunities. Following a presentation, staff experts will be available for one-on-one questions on a variety of topics.
Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972 to preserve land, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy nature-based experiences. We are funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax that has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.
For more information contact Thea Rock, Jeffco Open Space
303-271-5902, tr***@****co.us
JEFFCO OPEN SPACE ACQUIRING GOLDEN CLIFFS CLIMBING AREA
Jeffco Open Space and The Access Fund will celebrate the ownership transfer of the Golden Cliffs rock-climbing area at North Table Mountain Park on Friday, Oct. 24, from 3-4 p.m., at the Peery Trailhead on the south portion of the mesa. Representatives from Jeffco Open Space, The Access Fund, and the climbing community will be present at the celebration; the general public is invited to participate. Light refreshments will be served.
Read the full story at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/golden-cliffs-transferring-to-jeffco-open-space-oct–24/
Golden Cliffs has been a popular destination with many established sport- and traditional-climbing routes. Jeffco Open Space adds this location to its inventory of climbing venues — Cathedral Spires, Clear Creek Canyon and Mt. Lindo. For more information on climbing, please visit the climbing page on our website at http://jeffco.us/parks/recreation/climbing/.
Feds OK Chatfield Project; Suit Looms…
Page 4A in Friday, October 10, 2014 issue of The Denver Post, “Feds OK Chatfield Project; Suit Looms”
Deal will add to water supply but inundate 10% state park…by Bruce Finley, The Denver Post
Federal water engineers on Thursday launched the long-planned and controversial Chatfield Reservoir water supply project, closing a deal with Colorado sponsors.
Audubon Society opponents filed a lawsuit…
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If you’ve been following the Army Corp of Engineers’ proposal to heighten the dam at Chatfield, and you missed this article in the Denver and the West section, first page, I hate to break the news to you, but the project has been green-lighted, according to the Denver Post on Friday, October 10th.
The Chatfield Reservoir was initially constructed in 1975 for flood control. Supporters of this project claim that the Denver area will require additional water reserves in order to deal with an estimated population of 8.6 – 10.3 million residents by 2050. By reallocating these waters for residential, industrial and agricultural uses and increasing the holding capacity of the Reservoir, Denver water engineers hope to avoid having to siphon water from the Western Slope.
Conservation groups have fought long and hard to halt this project, citing the impending loss of bird, wildlife and recreational habitat due to the 12-foot projected rise in water level, and the eventual lack of snow melt to fill the larger reservoir. The Audubon Society of Greater Denver filed suit last week in U.S. District Court, arguing that federal authorities dismissed better alternatives without appropriate due diligence, and cited the Clean Water Act, which allows only the least-damaging alternative solution.
For the full story go to http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/DenverPost/Default.aspx?href=TDP%2F2014%2F10%2F10&pageno=4&view=document
Jefferson County Open Space Community Meeting – Douglas Mountain Proposed Acquisition
There will be a community meeting for the proposed Douglas Mountain acquisition (North Jeffco) on Wednesday, October 22,2014, at the Jeffco Open Space Ponderosa meeting room, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, at 6:30PM. Be there on time; a presentation starts promptly at 6:35PM, after which you’ll have a chance to ask questions and review maps.
Read the full letter of invitation here: Doug Mtn letter – final_invitation to public comment mtg
JCOS Earns CAPRA Certification!
The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) approved National Agency Accreditation for Jeffco Open Space and Parks, recognizing their commitment to excellence. The accreditation process is a comprehensive self-evaluation and peer review of business practices that take place in three phases: the development of the agency self-assessment report submitted in April, the on-site visitation held in July and the Commission’s review and decision held today, October 13, 2014.
Read the full press release at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/jeffco-open-space-and-parks-receives-national-agency-accreditation/
NORTH FORK TRAIL OPEN
From: Thea Rock, JCOS Communications Manager, tr***@****co.us:
Friday, October 03, 2014
Trail Completed from Reynolds Park to South Platte
North Fork Trail Ready for Hiking, Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding
Beginning Saturday, October 11, 2014 outdoor enthusiasts will be able to challenge themselves and enjoy a new 9.3-mile trail from Reynolds Park to the South Platte in Jefferson County.
The North Fork Trail provides a regional connection from Jeffco Open Space to the abundant recreation opportunities of the Pike National Forest. …
In 2004, Reynolds Park was designated for equestrian and hiking opportunities to maintain the Park’s relative serenity, current visitation and intact natural values. With the designation, a commitment to construct a multiuse trail to the south was leveraged….
Learn more about Reynolds Park and the North Fork Trail by visiting the website jeffco.us/parks/open-space or view the updated Park map here.
Flooding at Crown Hill Open Space Park
Greetings Crown Hill Friends,
Areas of the Park are flooded. Please be aware that there is water 2-3” deep flowing across the trails between Crown Hill Lake and Kestrel Pond. Rainy weather and irrigation equipment problems for Crown Hill Cemetery has resulted in water being over delivered into Crown Hill Lake. Jeffco Open Space is working with Crown Hill Cemetery to resolve this issue. Please use caution and try to avoid these flooded areas.
https://planjeffco.org/open-space-park_crown-hill-park.html
Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this issue.
Apex Park Flood Recovery Update
A year has passed since the historic record-setting rains and flooding along the northern Front Range of Colorado damaged towns, homes, roads and parks. Today, much of the damage has been remedied with areas of greatest impact still closed. At Apex Park, 3.8 miles or 40% of the Park’s trails were severely damaged. Community support and staff dedication has allowed the majority of the park to be reopened for public enjoyment. Portions of Apex Trail, which runs the length of the Park, have remained closed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3ovhNwC41Ok
Earlier this year, Jeffco Open Space anticipated that the work on Apex Trail would be completed and the remaining closures lifted by September 30. That target date will not be met as elements in the process for trails recovery have been out of the agency’s control. By the end of 2013, the County committed to seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for recovery efforts. Factors that influenced the process included federal and local delays. One of the final steps in order to receive federal funding for trail restoration, an environmental assessment needed to be completed before any work could get underway. The draft environmental assessment public comment period closed on August 29, 2014 and the FEMA approval and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) could be issued as early as the end of September or as late as mid-October. With the appropriate local and state permits obtained, and federal approvals, Jeffco Open Space can then begin Apex Trail restoration as well as remaining work at White Ranch Park and North Table Mountain Park.
Trails supervisor, Kim Frederick, anticipates Apex Trail restoration can be completed by November 26, 2014 and the remainder of the Park reopened, providing the weather cooperates. The Apex Trail project will include building of abutments and placing bridges over severely washed-out treads and other restoration activity to provide a safe and enjoyable trail experience. Upon completion of Apex Trail work, the odd-day directional travel by mountain bikers will be reinstated on Apex, Argos and Enchanted Forest Trails, as had been in effect prior to the flooding events.
The realignment of the damaged Pick N’ Sledge Trail will be completed by the spring of 2015 with limited trail closures for construction. For additional information please see jeffco.us/parks/parks-and-trails or register for Apex Park emails by sending a message to ap******@****co.us to join the list.
I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of you who have volunteered time over the past year towards our flood recovery efforts at Apex and elsewhere in the Open Space system. We could not have done it without you!
Tim Sandsmark
Lookout Region Supervisor
Jeffco Open Space
720-497-7602 direct
303-916-6553 mobile
