by Vicky Gits
“Colorado Open Lands was an experiment. It was the incorporation of a citizens effort to save what Coloradans love about Colorado,” wrote former Gov. Richard Lamm (1975 to 1987) in an introduction to COL’s 30th anniversary report in 2011.
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Colorado Open Lands
Location: Lakewood
Year founded: 1982
Executive director: Tony Caligiuri
Conservation easements in Jefferson County: 6
Acres preserved in Jefferson County: 1,903
Total conservation easements: 297
Total acres statewide in conservation easements: 267,687 in 40 counties
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A statewide land trust based in Lakewood since 1982, Colorado Open Lands is an outgrowth of the 1980 Colorado Front Range Project, a citizens group created by then-Gov. Lamm to help shape the state’s future.
In 1982, Colorado Open Lands helped prevent the 3,200-acre Evans Ranch at the foot of Mount Evans in Clear Creek County from becoming a subdivision with hundreds of homes. With the help of a loan from the Gates Family Foundation, COL purchased the land, which was strategically divided into five lots, preserving the bulk of the property.
As of 2015, the nonprofit had 267,687 acres in its portfolio of conservation easements. Conservation easements enable private owners to use their land while agreeing to maintain it in a natural state and forgo real estate development. The landowner receives significant state and federal tax advantages for having donated or sold the easement and the land remains private. The conservation easement “runs with the land,” meaning it applies to present and future owners.
In connection with holding conservation easements, land trusts are responsible for stewardship of the related land, which includes inspecting it on an annual basis and verifying it is being maintained according to the terms of the easement agreement.
Passing the torch
Dan Pike, the former president and CEO of Colorado Open Lands, retired late last year after 17 years.
“Dan Pike has been an iconic leader in the land conservation industry both in Colorado and the national stage,” said Tony Caligiuri, president and CEO, who joined the organization in November from the National Wildlife Federation where he was senior vice president for conservation and education. “Pike was a leader in building Colorado’s first statewide land conservation organization into an organization of national stature,” Caligiuri said.
In 2004, Pike secured the conservation easement on 80,000 acres of the Trinchera Ranch in Costilla County, marking the largest such easement in Colorado history. Now owned by investor Louis Bacon, Trinchera previously was owned by Malcolm Forbes, who set up the conservation easement in 2004.
Pike also chaired the commission that helped establish the parameters for certifying land trusts that hold conservation easements where the state tax credit is used.
In June 2013, COL announced another major achievement with conservation easements on 21,000 acres of Louis Bacon’s Tercio and Red River ranches near Trinidad in southern Colorado.
Pike also initiated outdoor excursions, fishing opportunities and farm-products access to help connect people to conservation lands.
Growth impacts
Caligiuri said current conditions are somewhat less favorable to conservation efforts. “We are currently in a period of economic growth which can impact land values and diminish the ability of land trusts to conserve important landscapes. At the same time, many land trusts established in previous decades are evaluating their own capacity to steward land in perpetuity and the wisdom of too many organizations doing similar work. This is prompting some exciting conversations about partnerships and innovative evolution of the land conservation industry, which should help strengthen the outlook for the future,” Caligiuri said.
While continuing to pursue conservation easements, COL has launched a pioneering program to connect people to conserved land. The Conserved Colorado initiative allows buyers to purchase items such as beef, wine and family vacations, from people who have chosen to permanently conserve their land.
“Conserved Colorado allows people to support conservation through their buying power, and creates an additional incentive for property owners looking at the potential benefits of conserving their land,” Caligiuri said.
COL is certified by the state Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and also accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance. Colorado requires that all easement holders be certified by the state under a law signed by Gov. Bill Ritter in 2008 in order for donors to receive the tax credit.
COL in Jefferson County
Conservation easements: 6
Total acres: 1,903
Bear Tooth Ranch – North Hogback Valley
Heine Wildlife Sanctuary – Wheat Ridge
Indian Hills
Knoebel (B Bar K) South turkey Creek
Mirador Ranch – North Mountains
Williams Wildlife Preserve (Five Fridges Farm) – Wheat Ridge
A few of COL’s successes are:
Trinchera Ranch, 80,000 acres, 2004.Costilla, County, San Luis Valley. Malcolm Forbes- donated conservation easement, largest conservation easement in Colorado history.
Pine Cliff Ranch, Douglas County, 3,400 acres. Donated by Sedalia resident James Rathbone Falck for protection in 1986.
Heil Valley Ranch, 1,200 acres. Now part of Boulder County’s North Foothills Open Space, Heil Valley Ranch was a conservation easement to ensure the protection of County-owned open space purchased using Great Outdoors Colorado funds.
Wahatoya Valley, 1,019 acres, late 90s. Spanish Peaks area.
Wahl-Coleman Ranch, Park County, 3,600 acres, 1999. Protects iconic gateway views from Kenosha Pass.
Heron Pond Natural Area, 46 acres. South Platte River Greenway.
Allis Ranch Preserve, Douglas County, 830 acres. 1.5 miles of West Plum Creek.
Bar K Ranch III, Gunnison County, 480 acres.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to preserve the significant open lands and diminishing natural heritage of Colorado through private and public partnerships, innovative land conservation techniques and strategic leadership while bringing a statewide perspective based on our staff’s collective 100-plus years of experience.”
New Apex Park trailhead opens Thursday, 8/27
/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Events & Parties, JeffCo Open Space /by Michelle PooletWe are very pleased to announce that we will be opening the new trailhead area on the east side of Apex Park tomorrow. Although a more formal grand opening will occur next month, all trailhead amenities will be open tomorrow. The trailhead includes many new features including a new restroom with water (water fountain, bottle filler and dog watering fountain). The trailhead also has a new improved parking area, concrete trail connection for all users and a soft surface trail for hikers. A new kiosk will also provide information and educational information.
Please note, the temporary upper parking area and trailhead will now be closed and all access on the east side will move to the new trailhead area.
Happy Trails everyone!!
Tim
Tim Sandsmark
Lookout Region Supervisor
D 720.497.7602 C 303.916.6553
jeffco.us/parks
Join Jeffco Open Space in Celebrating National Public Lands Day
/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Events & Parties, JeffCo Open Space /by Michelle PooletVolunteer Work Centered on Elk Meadow Park
National Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 26, and Jeffco Open Space welcomes your volunteer contributions at Elk Meadow Park in Evergreen. Volunteers will help to improve the trail that originates at the Buchanan Park Recreation Center and travels through Noble Meadow. They’ll also restore plants native to the area.
Registration is required through www.jeffcoopenspace.eventbrite.com. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Heavy rains in 2015 have resulted in damage to the trail. As visitors have tried to avoid muddy areas, the trail has widened and braided, becoming three separate paths in some areas.
Nearly a mile of the trail, to the north of Painter’s Pause, will be improved to withstand storm damage, including a slight re-route.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. To learn more, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/about.
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. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, the agency has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.
Communications Assistant
303-271-5963
jeffco.us/parks
For more information or to comment on this posting, please contact Thea Rock, Communications Manager, Jeffco Open Space, tr***@****co.us or 303-271-5902.
Designated Use Experiment Aug. 29 at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
/0 Comments/in JeffCo Open Space, News & Views /by Michelle PooletTemporary study tests designated-use strategy
A temporary designated-use study that will affect hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers will take place at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park on Saturday, Aug. 29.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Evergreen Mountain Trail West will be open for multi-directional use for hikers and equestrians and uphill-only use for mountain bikers. Evergreen Mountain Trail East will be open only for downhill mountain bikers.
Jeffco Open Space assures the public that it has no plans to implement any of these changes permanently at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park. This temporary experiment is meant to test alternate strategies for managing future trails in other locations.
The trial is an outcome of a working group of volunteer stakeholders created at a recent Trails Talk public forum presented by Jeffco Open Space.
Additional tests are scheduled for Deer Creek Canyon Park on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Alderfer/Three Sisters Park on Sunday, Sept. 27.
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. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, the agency has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.
Communications Assistant
303-271-5963
jeffco.us/parks
for additional information or to register comments about this plan, contact Thea Rock, Communications Manager, Jeffco Open Space, tr***@****co.us or 303-271-5902
Keeping the Canyon Beautiful: Clear Creek Land Conservancy
/0 Comments/in Features & Opinions Archive /by BlogMasterby Vicky Gits
Clear Creek Land Conservancy works in the Clear Creek drainage basin from the Continental Divide to Golden, covering parts of Clear Creek, Gilpin and Jefferson counties. Its focus is Clear Creek Canyon, a ruggedly beautiful and historically development-threatened area.
Clear Creek Land Conservancy
Location: Golden
Year founded: 1986
Executive director: Claire Riegelman
Jefferson County: 1,901.7
Gilpin County: 260
Clear Creek County: 74.42
Total acres protected: 2,236
(Includes acres acquired and owned in fee; acres covered by a conservation easement and acres acquired and transferred to public entity.)
CCLC has conserved lands in and around Mount Vernon, Cody Park, Rilliet Park, the Beaver Brook Trail and throughout Clear Creek Canyon.
The nonprofit treasures the canyon as a place “where people and nature exist together for the benefit of both.” The organization aims to ensure the canyon remains its “near-to-natural state forever.” (Board of Directors job description, 2014)
The goal of the land trust is to preserve as many acres as possible and steward them successfully in perpetuity. However, the increasing level of state regulation is having a significant effect on the pace of land conservation, said Claire Riegelman, CCLC executive director.
“Though the increased regulation is helping to ensure sound conservation transactions, the additional administration and costs are making it more difficult for land trusts and landowners to conserve land,” Riegelman said.
Inspirational donation
Carla Coleman, a Denver psychologist and early conservationist, inspired the creation of CCLC by donating a 240-acre conservation easement on the Clear Creek Canyon side of Lookout Mountain in 1986. She and her husband owned a cabin in Rilliet Park on Lookout Mountain.
CCLC supports the Peaks to Plains Trail construction on Clear Creek and holds the conservation easement on the key Oxbow Parcel, (2009), at the west end of tunnel 5 on Highway 6.
Remaining flexible
CCLC is working on a multifaceted project in the Mount Vernon area that exemplifies an important aspect of the work done by land trusts: flexibility. “Land trusts have plans for how they hope projects will proceed, but the projects rarely if ever, follow those plans. The projects succeed because land trusts stay on their toes and remain flexible in order to preserve as many conservation values as possible,” Riegelman said.
Conservation in action
The conservancy’s role has two parts: active conservation through conservation easements and stewardship of its conserved lands in perpetuity. For example, last November, CCLC took measures to camouflage red graffiti defacing rock outcroppings on the Beaver Brook Trail.
The 8-mile-long Beaver Brook Trail extends from Windy Gap on Lookout Mountain to Stapleton Drive in Genesee Park off Interstate 70 and is owned and managed by three entities: Jeffco Open Space, the Clear Creek Land Conservancy and Denver Mountain Parks.
CCLC received its state certification in 2009.
A few of CCLC’s successes are:
Carla Coleman Conservation Easement, 240 acres, 1986. First conservation easement donated to CCLC. Includes more than one mile of the east end of the Beaver Brook Trail.
Mount Vernon, 160 acres, 1996, includes over one-half mile of Beaver Brook Trail.
Rilliet Park, 273.5 acres, 1997, donated by homeowners corporation, Rilliet Park Association.
Estella Leopold “Shack West,” 260 acres, 2006, donated by ecologist Aldo Leopold’s daughter, Estella, who lived there in the ’70s. Shack East is the property Aldo Leopold made famous in the book, “Sand County Almanac.”
Northwoodside Asset Transfer (CCLC – Northwoodside Merger) 644 acres, 2008.
Lookout Mountain land, 2.3 acres adjacent to Windy Saddle Park, 2011. Transferred to Jeffco Open Space.
Mission statement: “Clear Creek Land Conservancy is dedicated to the preservation, conservation and stewardship in perpetuity of the open spaces and natural and scenic resources of the mountain and foothills region of the Clear Creek area.”
Citizens Saving Vanishing Vistas: Colorado Open Lands
/0 Comments/in Features & Opinions Archive /by BlogMasterby Vicky Gits
“Colorado Open Lands was an experiment. It was the incorporation of a citizens effort to save what Coloradans love about Colorado,” wrote former Gov. Richard Lamm (1975 to 1987) in an introduction to COL’s 30th anniversary report in 2011.
Colorado Open Lands
Location: Lakewood
Year founded: 1982
Executive director: Tony Caligiuri
Conservation easements in Jefferson County: 6
Acres preserved in Jefferson County: 1,903
Total conservation easements: 297
Total acres statewide in conservation easements: 267,687 in 40 counties
A statewide land trust based in Lakewood since 1982, Colorado Open Lands is an outgrowth of the 1980 Colorado Front Range Project, a citizens group created by then-Gov. Lamm to help shape the state’s future.
In 1982, Colorado Open Lands helped prevent the 3,200-acre Evans Ranch at the foot of Mount Evans in Clear Creek County from becoming a subdivision with hundreds of homes. With the help of a loan from the Gates Family Foundation, COL purchased the land, which was strategically divided into five lots, preserving the bulk of the property.
As of 2015, the nonprofit had 267,687 acres in its portfolio of conservation easements. Conservation easements enable private owners to use their land while agreeing to maintain it in a natural state and forgo real estate development. The landowner receives significant state and federal tax advantages for having donated or sold the easement and the land remains private. The conservation easement “runs with the land,” meaning it applies to present and future owners.
In connection with holding conservation easements, land trusts are responsible for stewardship of the related land, which includes inspecting it on an annual basis and verifying it is being maintained according to the terms of the easement agreement.
Passing the torch
Dan Pike, the former president and CEO of Colorado Open Lands, retired late last year after 17 years.
“Dan Pike has been an iconic leader in the land conservation industry both in Colorado and the national stage,” said Tony Caligiuri, president and CEO, who joined the organization in November from the National Wildlife Federation where he was senior vice president for conservation and education. “Pike was a leader in building Colorado’s first statewide land conservation organization into an organization of national stature,” Caligiuri said.
In 2004, Pike secured the conservation easement on 80,000 acres of the Trinchera Ranch in Costilla County, marking the largest such easement in Colorado history. Now owned by investor Louis Bacon, Trinchera previously was owned by Malcolm Forbes, who set up the conservation easement in 2004.
Pike also chaired the commission that helped establish the parameters for certifying land trusts that hold conservation easements where the state tax credit is used.
In June 2013, COL announced another major achievement with conservation easements on 21,000 acres of Louis Bacon’s Tercio and Red River ranches near Trinidad in southern Colorado.
Pike also initiated outdoor excursions, fishing opportunities and farm-products access to help connect people to conservation lands.
Growth impacts
Caligiuri said current conditions are somewhat less favorable to conservation efforts. “We are currently in a period of economic growth which can impact land values and diminish the ability of land trusts to conserve important landscapes. At the same time, many land trusts established in previous decades are evaluating their own capacity to steward land in perpetuity and the wisdom of too many organizations doing similar work. This is prompting some exciting conversations about partnerships and innovative evolution of the land conservation industry, which should help strengthen the outlook for the future,” Caligiuri said.
While continuing to pursue conservation easements, COL has launched a pioneering program to connect people to conserved land. The Conserved Colorado initiative allows buyers to purchase items such as beef, wine and family vacations, from people who have chosen to permanently conserve their land.
“Conserved Colorado allows people to support conservation through their buying power, and creates an additional incentive for property owners looking at the potential benefits of conserving their land,” Caligiuri said.
COL is certified by the state Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and also accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance. Colorado requires that all easement holders be certified by the state under a law signed by Gov. Bill Ritter in 2008 in order for donors to receive the tax credit.
COL in Jefferson County
Conservation easements: 6
Total acres: 1,903
Bear Tooth Ranch – North Hogback Valley
Heine Wildlife Sanctuary – Wheat Ridge
Indian Hills
Knoebel (B Bar K) South turkey Creek
Mirador Ranch – North Mountains
Williams Wildlife Preserve (Five Fridges Farm) – Wheat Ridge
A few of COL’s successes are:
Trinchera Ranch, 80,000 acres, 2004.Costilla, County, San Luis Valley. Malcolm Forbes- donated conservation easement, largest conservation easement in Colorado history.
Pine Cliff Ranch, Douglas County, 3,400 acres. Donated by Sedalia resident James Rathbone Falck for protection in 1986.
Heil Valley Ranch, 1,200 acres. Now part of Boulder County’s North Foothills Open Space, Heil Valley Ranch was a conservation easement to ensure the protection of County-owned open space purchased using Great Outdoors Colorado funds.
Wahatoya Valley, 1,019 acres, late 90s. Spanish Peaks area.
Wahl-Coleman Ranch, Park County, 3,600 acres, 1999. Protects iconic gateway views from Kenosha Pass.
Heron Pond Natural Area, 46 acres. South Platte River Greenway.
Allis Ranch Preserve, Douglas County, 830 acres. 1.5 miles of West Plum Creek.
Bar K Ranch III, Gunnison County, 480 acres.
Mission statement: “Our mission is to preserve the significant open lands and diminishing natural heritage of Colorado through private and public partnerships, innovative land conservation techniques and strategic leadership while bringing a statewide perspective based on our staff’s collective 100-plus years of experience.”
Keep ’em Cool, Prevent Heat Distress and Heatstroke in Dogs
/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Items of Interest, JeffCo Open Space, News & Views /by Michelle PooletContact: Thea Rock, Communications Manager, tr***@****co.us or 303-271-5902
As the heat of mid-summer grips Colorado, Jeffco Open Space and Jefferson County Animal Control urge park visitors to take precautions to keep dogs from suffering heat distress and heatstroke.
Through prominent signs at trailheads, videos (bit.ly/keepemcool), contacts in the field and social media, Jeffco Open Space is promoting dog safety in the dog days of summer.
Last year Park Rangers responded to 12 incidents of heat distress in dogs. Sadly, four dogs did not make it after suffering heatstroke.
Help keep dogs safe. Know how to prevent and treat overheating.
Remember, it’s probably just as hot on the trail as it is in your neighborhood, and dogs wear fur coats. Never leave dogs in the car while recreating in a park. Park Rangers and Jefferson County Animal Control have been responding to calls about this issue, which can be cited as Animal Cruelty and Neglect and constitutes a violation of state statute.
Avoid hot trails and pavement.
If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the surface of the ground for longer than a count of five or walk barefoot, it’s too hot for dogs.
Heatstroke is dangerous to dogs and their owners. When a dog’s temperature goes too high, it may start to stumble, vomit or have diarrhea. Heatstroke starts with heat distress. Early signs of distress are:
Seek shade. Give the dog cool water, and place cool, wet cloths or bandanas on feet, stomach and around its head. Fan air around the dog and get it to a veterinarian right away. Don’t use cold water or ic
e, as this could make the situation worse.
In short, Keep ’em Cool!
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. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, the agency has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was founded in November 1859 and today serves 550,000 residents of Jefferson County with a patrolling responsibility to 189,720 residents in the unincorporated areas of the 773 square miles of the county. As chief law enforcement officer of the county, Sheriff Jeff Shrader oversees the largest full-service sheriff’s office in Colorado with 542 state certified deputies and 283 professional staff. Additionally, about 300 volunteers support Sheriff’s operations.
Many Thanks,
Will Lebzelter, Communications Associate, jeffco.us/parks
D 303-271-5961, C 720-556-3353
SB-206 Signed Into Law: Greater Incentives for Conservation in Colorado
/0 Comments/in Features & Opinions Archive /by BlogMasterThis morning, Governor Hickenlooper signed Colorado Senate Bill 15-206 into law, providing greater financial return to landowners who wish to protect their land and water with a conservation easement.
Effective January 1, 2015, the bill increases the amount of the individual conservation easement tax credit in Colorado to 75% of the first $100,000 of the fair market value of the easement, and 50% of the fair market value above that amount. The cap is increased to $1.5 million.
THANK YOU to Sen. Roberts, Sen. Hodge, Rep. Garnett, and Rep. Keyser for sponsoring this bill. Another big thanks to CCLT lobbyist Benjamin Waters, CCLT public policy committee, and policy contractor Brandon Rattiner – your tireless efforts made the difference! SB-206 improves this conservation incentive and supports landowners in their decision to place conservation easements on their land.
Trails Talk (May 2015)
/0 Comments/in Features & Opinions Archive /by BlogMasterOpen Space held their Second Trails Talk program at the Mountaineering Center April 29. Trails Talks are planned for the spring and fall of each year to make the public aware of the trails activities and to obtain feedback from the public. About 40 public and 15 staff were present.
Tom Hoby, Open Space Director, announced that JCOS has started using the Twitter blog#jeffcotrails as a means of communicating trail conditions. The Twitter blog allows trail users to report their observations of trail conditions on the web where others can access them. Significant closures will still be posted on the Open Space Website, but the Twitter blog will allow for instantaneous communication.
Open Space with funding from the Jeffco Outdoors Foundation is preparing a series of eight regional trail maps that will include all trails, recreational facilities, parking areas, and much additional information within each region. The goal is to have all eight maps available by the fall Trails Talk program. The printing cost of the maps will be supported by advertising and donations; they will be available at no cost to the public.
Hoby also mentioned that JCOS’ first priority was taking care of what we already have and increasing volunteer stewardship of the trails. The Friends of Apex put in about 600 hours last year in repairing flood damage to Apex trails and have committed this year to continuing the work, especially in some areas on the Pick and Sledge trail that are subject to erosion.
The above items are implementations of goals presented in the 2014 Master Plan. The 2011 Citizen Survey indicated the desire to have equal weighted priorities for preservation and recreation.
Dave Davenport, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, discussed the development of difficulty ratings for each of the trails. The trails will have an over-all rating and each trail intersection will indicate the rating for the next section of trail. The ratings are:
Least Difficult
More Difficult
Most Difficult
Typically the Least Difficult trails will have average grades of less than 3% and elevation gains minus losses of 100 feet. The More Difficult trails will have grades of less than 10% and elevation gains minus losses of less than 1000 feet. The Most Difficult trails will have grades greater than 10% and elevations gains minus losses greater than 1000 feet. These trail ratings will help bikers and equestrians, especially, gauge the difficulty of a trail before starting off and possibly finding themselves in trouble mid-trail.
At present Jeffco has 87 miles of Least Difficult, 115 miles of More Difficult, and 27 miles of Most Difficult. As new signs are placed on the trails they will indicate the difficulty: a green circle for Least Difficult, a blue square for More Difficult, and a black diamond for Most Difficult.
Kim Frederick, Trails Services Superintendent, discussed the Annual Trails Assessment made at the beginning of each year. The assessment then is used to set the maintenance priorities for the year. Since Jeffco has three types of trail surfaces the assessment basis varies for each type: Natural Surface, Crusher Fines Surface, and Concrete Surface.
Trails in good condition and expected to remain in good condition are scheduled only for routine maintenance. Trails in fair condition probably will require some corrective action to stabilize the trail condition in order to deter further degradation. Trails in priority condition need major attention because of impacts to the natural resource and the recreational experience. It may be necessary to close these trails until stabilization work has been completed. This year 85% of the trail mileage was in good condition, 13% was in fair condition, and only 2% was in priority condition requiring prompt attention.
Volunteer assistance is appreciated for all levels of maintenance. To volunteer, go to http://jef fco.us/open-space/volunteer/, or call Jana Johns, Volunteer Services Administrator, at 303-271-5922.”
Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Superintendent, discussed the changes in Designated Use Trails that will be effective May 15, 2015. These changes are an outcome of feedback from the 2014 Trails Talk attendees. Open Space had 33 trails with designated uses with the goal of improving visitor safety and their experience. The designated uses were: Hiker Only, Bike Only, Alternate Day Use, Multiple Use, Hiker/Horse, No Dogs/Horses/Bikes, and Directional Use. When staff began their evaluation, the objective was to:
Improve Visitor Safety;
Enhance the Visitor Experience;
Reduce Confusion.
Outcomes were: 1) Centennial Cone – restrict horseback riding to weekdays and the non-biker weekend days to reduce the conflict with bikers traveling at faster speeds; 2) Deer Creek – horses will be allowed on the previously hiker-only trails; 3) Lair o’ the Bear – remove the bikes/horses signage between the entry road and the restroom and also allow horses and dogs on the Creekside Loop; 4) Mount Falcon – allow horses on the Turkey Trot Trail and designate Parmalee and Tower Trails as multiple use; 5) South Valley – allow horses on the Swallow Trail.
Amy Ito, Planning and Stewardship Manager, discussed the new trails process, The 2014 Master Plan goal was a minimum of 25 miles of new trail by 2019. The implementation goals for new trails are to address the demand, enhance the experience, and focus on trails closer to homes. At present there are 25 miles of trail in the planning process; these are being studied for practicality, potential routing, and impact on the natural resource. There are 2 miles in detailed design. There are 17 miles presently under construction.
One question after the program was the potential for trails on Mt. Glennon, near the town of Morrison. Director Hoby said that Mt. Glennon was under natural resource study this year prior to potential route evaluations, but that a trail along the hogback from Alameda to Morrison probably would be completed first.
The evening ended with most of the audience discussing specifics with staff at the various stations set up to support the subject matter of the program.
Birds of Chatfield
/0 Comments/in Articles That Educate /by BlogMasterImage: Great-horned owlets in the nest, sighted at Chatfield State Park. Photo by Rob Raker.
Hiking, biking and horse-back riding are not the only things that you can do in the open spaces of Jefferson County. Ann Bonnell, long-time PLAN Jef fco Board Member and volunteer naturalist (and inveterate birder) for Roxborough State Park, South Platte Park, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Audubon Society of Greater Denver, recently sent these photos from some of her Tuesday Birder excursions at Chatfield State Park, which she guides.
The Tuesday Birders are a group of dedicated bird watchers who visit a different area of the Front Range at least once a month.
Common Mergansers in flight over Chatfield Reservoir, photo by Jim Esten, April 7, 2015
Tree Swallows at Chatfield State Park, photo by Jim Esten, April 7, 2015
Red-shafted Flickers (male at top, female below) sighted at Chatfield State Park, photo by Jim Esten, April 7, 2015
Killdeer (nesting pair?) sighted at Chatfield State Park, photo by Jim Esten, April 7, 2015
Great-horned owlets in the nest, sighted at Chatfield State Park, photos by Rob Raker, April 7, 2015
Belmar Park, Englewood: Great Blue Herons engaged in nest-building. Photo by Jim Esten, April 2, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Ann Bonnell
5 Great Feats of Jeffco Preservation
/0 Comments/in Items of Interest, JeffCo Open Space, Land Preservation, News & Views, Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge /by Michelle PooletThere are many ways to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. One way is to savor the land preservation achievements of Jeffco Open Space.
From the many preservation feats in our 42 years, we mark five that are each great in their own way. Our first acquisition was completed a little more than 3 years after Earth Day’s debut on April 22, 1970. In total, we’ve preserved 53,617 acres, including land that has been conveyed to cities, and park and recreation districts for their management. Today Jeffco Open Space manages 43,675 acres—about the same land area as Washington, D.C. With the support of residents who want us to continue preserving land, we will continue to work with willing sellers and donors of properties that meet the criteria of our Master Plan.
for more information, contact Thea Rock, Communications Manager, Jefferson County Open Space
tr***@****co.us or 303-271-5902