The Jefferson County Open Space Program

“Sprawl is claiming farmland at the rate of 1.2 million acres a year. Throw in forest and other undeveloped land and, for net annual loss of open space (nationwide), you’re waving good-bye to more than two million acres.”

—National Geographic, July 2001

Some Jefferson County residents became visionaries in 1972. The consequences of unplanned sprawl were obvious so they campaigned for a half-cent sales tax to preserve land. About 40 citizens founded PLAN JeffCo and convinced doubtful County Commissioners to let the voters decide. The 40 expanded to 600 who knocked on 80% of JeffCo’s front doors to win voter approval. Today, we see the extraordinary result of this world-class Jefferson County Open Space program of nearly 55,000 acres.

Natural “passive” outdoor spaces are a primary amenity supporting real estate values and a high quality of life. With constant support of voters, JCOS inspired developers, cities and special districts to provide excellent parks and “active” recreation services with half of the $480 million that has been collected. JeffCo cities have received a total “attributable share” of $187 million and cities and special districts have received $70 million in joint-venture grants. In 1998 voters approved a $180 million bond to complete the Open Space master plan. Developers of Ken Caryl Ranch, Genesee, and others joined the “bandwagon” by preserving thousands of “private” open space acres.

JCOS has completed a total of 846 transactions with cities, districts, and landowners to produce 2007 results! Sales tax revenue has preserved 55,000 unincorporated JeffCo acres for 22 parks with more than 200 miles of OS trails! The most significant preservation areas are:

• Mountain backdrop & hogback
• Clear Creek Canyon
• North and South Table Mountains
• Trails 2000 corridors
• Community buffers
• Natural heritage areas of significant wildlife habitat and unique vegetation.