CROWN HILL OPEN SPACE PARK – A BRIEF HISTORY
What we know today as Crown Hill Open Space Park wasn’t always a public venue. One year before the end of the American Civil War, in 1864, a young man named Henry Lee sojourned west from Iowa to join his brother, William, who had a farm east of Golden, on the south side of Clear Creek.
The land was rich, fertile enough to support wheat fields (Wheat Ridge), fruit orchards (Fruitdale) and further to the north, the farms that would one day become the city of Arvada.
While William worked the farm, Henry traveled on the narrow gauge railroad up Clear Creek Canyon to the mining camps in Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Park counties, selling vegetables to the residents.
In less than 10 years from the time of his arrival, Henry had met and married Jennie Paul, another Iowa ex-pat, and settled down to a married and family life on land that Henry was now farming. Read more
Seen Any Moose Around Here Lately?
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
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.
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
PLAN Jeffco Stewardship Academy – It’s Here!
PLAN Jeffco Academy Presents: Stewardship of Open Lands
ALERT: 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.
What will we talk about?
- The role of PLAN Jeffco’s volunteers in the origination and development of the Jefferson County Open Space Park System has resulted in preservation of more than 56,000 acres of public land to date.
- The history of land stewardship in Jefferson County.
- The geological and ecological significance of our open lands.
- Issues facing our ecosystems, especially along the Front Range, and how we can help address those issues.
- Ensuring that open space parks are welcoming for all visitors.
- How individual actions impact the land, other visitors, and maintenance needs and costs.
- How you can help ensure that our open lands remain healthy into the future.
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:
- A full day of presentations by local experts in conservation, biodiversity, land management, and more.
- An optional group stewardship project in one of the Jeffco Open Space Parks.
- One-year full membership in PLAN Jeffco.
- An intimate connection to the original founders of PLAN Jeffco and the Open Space program, as well as the opportunity to meet and greet the current PLAN Jeffco Board Members and possibly, become a Board Member yourself!
Enroll now. Download planned curriculum HERE.
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
Unsure about whether or not you want to participate in this Stewardship Academy? Not able to make it this time because of conflicts? No problem – sign up and we’ll keep you informed about future Academies as we roll them out.
*limited scholarship available upon request. Contact ac*****@********co.org for more information.
