Class-1 e-bikes allowed at Open Space Parks

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After one year on a trial basis, Jeffco Open Space revealed Oct. 23 that some power-assisted bicycles would be allowed on all trails, according to a report in the Evergreen Canyon Courier. JCOS previously has experimented with allowing bikes on paved trails and bikeways as well as natural surface trails.

Class 1 is the lowest of three classes of e-bikes and is motorized only when the rider is pedaling. The top speed allowed with assistance is 20 mph.

Mary Ann Bonnell, visitors service manager, unveiled the decision at a staff briefing with commissioners, according to the Courier. Of the 59 comments about bikes, 54 percent were positive, 29 percent neutral and 17 percent negative.

Update: March 2019, Open Space will permit Class 1 E-bikes on all trails and Class 2 E-bikes on paved trails.

 

U.S. legislators propose to save 400,000 acres in Colorado

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Mount Sneffels in the autumn. The CORE Act would preserve this beautiful mountain.

Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse, both Democrats, jointly plan to propose legislation in Congress on Monday, January 28, 2019, to preserve 400,000 acres, including 29,000 in the area around Camp Hale.

In southwest Colorado, the act would protect nearly 61,000 acres of the San Juan range and would designate a number of the area’s highest peaks, including fourteeners Mount Sneffels and Wilson Peak, as wilderness.

Named the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act or CORE, it also designates as wilderness nearly 32,000 acres near Telluride, Norwood, Ouray and Ridgway.

The Denver Post posted the article on its website in the afternoon of Jan. 25.  https://www.denverpost.com/2019/01/25/bill-preserve-colorado-public-lands-michael-bennet-joe-neguse/

Photo courtesy GoHikeColorado

Elk Meadow restoration to cost about $450,000

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As phase two of the project is about to begin, the cost to restore the former Elk Meadow Dog Off Leash Area is projected to be about $450,000 as revealed in the Canyon Courier Oct. 31.

Executive Director Tom Hoby told the county commissioners he is going to ask them for $250,000 for channel stabilization and additional upland vegetation. Jeffco has also asked for a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado to offset costs.

The dog park closed in 2017 after officials deemed the land, vegetation and streams had been dramatically negatively affected by overuse at the area off Stagecoach Boulevard in Elk Meadow Open Space park near Evergreen.

Photo courtesy GoHikeColorado

Centennial Cone Park Hunting Closure Begins

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Jeffco Open Space News Release, November 28, 2018

The late-season hunting access at Centennial Cone Park will begin December 1, closing the park to all other uses through the end of January. This includes the Mayhem parking lot along US Hwy 6. The majority of the park will reopen to multi-use recreation on February 1, 2019.

Jeffco Open Space hunting access permits are limited to 55 elk and 35 deer license-holders this year and are granted through a lottery. This year, Jeffco Open Space received 79 applications for elk permits and 285 applications for deer permits.

Permit applicants must have a valid late-season license for antlerless elk, female or either-sex deer from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the Jefferson County portion of Game Management Unit 38. Successful applicants are provided an online Jeffco Open Space hunting orientation presentation prior to gaining access to Centennial Cone Park. The purpose of allowing hunting is to control elk and deer populations that are not being held in check by natural predators.

Permitted hunter lottery winners are expected to follow all Jeffco Open Space Regulations.

More information about hunting at Centennial Cone Park

Questions? Concerns? Please contact Matt Robbins, Jeffco Open Space Community Connections Manager, mr******@****co.us or 303.271.5902

Permanent fire ban in effect in Open Space parks

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Due to the difficulty of enforcing bans and the increasing threat of wildfire, Jeffco Open Space officials decided to implement a ban on open flames in the Open Space Parks. Personal propane and gas grills are still allowed. Public grills have been removed from open space lands and new signs are being put into place to notify campers of the change.

For more information about Park rules and regulations, and where you can camp in the Jeffco Open Space Parks system, go to https://www.jeffco.us/1479/Camping

 

Photo courtesy GoHikeColorado

JCOS Gets Trail Courtesy GOCO Grant

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From Jefferson County Colorado Parks Insights, 10/15/2018

 

JCOS, in partnership with City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), recently received a $100,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to study trail conflicts and the potential to reduce trail conflicts through effective, persuasive signage with unified messaging among the three agencies.

The two-year study will look at the effectiveness of trail courtesy signage and will ultimately form a plan for promoting responsible trail usage. The study will be conducted at North Table Mountain Park, Marshall Mesa, and Eldorado Canyon State Park. The long-range plan is to encourage other agencies in Colorado to review the study and potentially adopt similar language and signage.

Congratulations to our own Jefferson County Open Space staffers for their dedication and insight into trying to make everyone’s visit to our parks enjoyable and meaningful!

JCOS & the Climbing Community Re-bolt North Table

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From the Jefferson County Colorado Parks Insights, 10/15/2018:

  Rock climbers who use Jeffco Open Space Parks will be delighted to hear that on September 29, more than 40 volunteers came together to replace aged and deteriorating climbing hardware at the Golden Cliffs climbing area of North Table Mountain. The event was sponsored by the Boulder Climbing Community, Foothills Climbing Community, Access Fund, American Safe Climbing Association, and JCOS.

JCOS contributed 100 bolts and hangers, and the partners contributed another 114 for a total of 214 bolts and hangers replaced across 41 individual routes. This was the largest single re-bolting event that any of these organizations have completed, according to the Insights newsletter. The new stainless steel hardware will likely not need to be replaced for another 40-50 years and will provide much more reliable fall protection.

If you’re planning a guided rock or ice climbing adventure, check out the permitting required at https://www.jeffco.us/1512/Permits-Reservations. To view the overall regulations that govern access to Jeffco Open Space Parks, go to https://www.jeffco.us/1583/Regulations.

It’s Not Too Late for In Plein Sight® 2018!

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In Plein Sight 2018 is off to a roaring start, with a wonderful day of painting this past Monday at Lair O’ the Bear Park in Idledale.  Tuesday was the Artists choice day, as we set up the Art Gallery in the Golden Community Center. Today we were at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park in Evergreen, and what a beautiful day it was!

It’s not to late to view the two dozen plein air painters as they work in the field. Tomorrow, Thursday, 9/13, we’ll be at Elk Meadow Park, Lewis Ridge trailhead, 2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen.

On Friday we tackle Centennial Cone Park, the Ralph Schell (north) trailhead, 3956 Camino Perdido, Golden.

And Saturday we’ll be painting along Clear Creek in Golden (the booth will be opposite the Golden Community Center and adjacent to the trail, off 10th Street.)

So you see, there’s plenty of time to join us in the field!

In addition to the “in the Parks” experience, you can view the paintings produced during the week in our Art Gallery and even take home one or two of your favorites. The Art Gallery is at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, 80401, 2nd floor, in the Coal Creek Room.

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

Saturday evening we’ll be having a Reception at the Art Gallery, starting at 5:30 PM. This will give you a chance to meet the artists and talk to them about the work they’ve been doing all week. So make plans now to join us for In Plein Sight 2018, and celebrate the beauty and wonder of our Jefferson County Open Space Parks.

In Plein Sight® in Mile High on the Cheap

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See the article, “Live Painting Across Jeffco” in Mile High on the Cheap. “There’s little doubt that Jefferson County has some beautiful spaces. Now artists will paint within a variety of Jeffco Open Space parks as part of the famous In Plein Sight® event.  You can see the results.” Go to milehighonthecheap.com/live-painting-in-plein-sight-across-Jeffco/

Stapleton Scoop connects with In Plein Sight®

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Denver’s Stapleton Scoop featured PLAN Jeffco’s In Plein Sight over the weekend on their Facebook Page. For details go to Facebook.com/StapletonScoop