History of Jefferson County Open Space

“Information taken from:

PLAN Jeffco and Open Space Historical Review 1972-2002
History of Jefferson County Open Space by Thea Rock
1975, 1975, 1985 Reports to the Public
Mike Moore
John Litz
Articles found in files

Abbreviations:

PJ: PLAN Jeffco
JCOS or OS: Jefferson County Open Space
MM: Mike Moore
JL: John Litz

1967
• Boulder becomes first city in the US to pass a .4 % sales tax to preserve open space.

1969
• Following the incorporation of the Cities of Wheat Ridge and Lakewood in 1969, residents began to recognize that Jefferson County were being overtaken by unmanaged sprawl.

1970-71
• Jefferson County League of Women Voters initiated a study of this issue. From these roots, a group of concerned citizens formed PLAN JeffCo and planned a bold approach to preserving the native lands of Jefferson County.

1971
• PLAN Jeffco worked with the Board of County Commissioners and other local governments to place a ballot initiative before the voters of Jefferson County. This ballot proposal provided funding for acquisition of “lands of scenic, natural and historic value” and “trails thereon.”

1972
• PJ “doorbellers” bring campaign to victory.
• Jefferson County voters approved a ½ cent sales tax to fund planning, acquiring, maintaining and preserving open space properties. A portion of sales tax revenue is allocated to Jeffco cities and special districts in unincorporated area.

1973
• CO Open Lands assists Jeffco in purchasing Mt. Falcon Park (1490 acres) to be repaid when revenues begin to be collected.
• Hiwan Homestead in Evergreen purchased.
• The first Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) includes PLAN Jeffco leaders Carol Karlin and Mike Moore. OSAC consists of three city representatives, three county representatives, three at-large representatives and one representative of the recreation districts and two alternates.

1974
• Ray Printz is hired as OS Director. PJ goes dormant, believing its work is done.
• Apex Park (400 acres) and White Ranch (3002 ac) Parks acquired. Standley Lake (210 ac)
• Part of the Open Space vision includes acquisition of historical resources. Hiwan Homestead placed on National Register of Historic places. Visitation to the 17-room, log home museum is 15,000 annually. Admission is free and a multitude of special programming brings history and Native American art to life.

1975
• With the goal of building an environmental ethic in young people, the program initiated a summer Youth Work Program that continues today, some returning year after year, maintaining and building new trails for Open Space.
• Reynolds Ranch (1100 ac), Van Bibber (92 ac), Green Mountain (1564 ac) purchased.
• Ken Foelske is hired as full time planner.

1976
• Mathews-Winters (868 ac), Alderfer/3 Sisters (239 ac)

1977
• Jefferson County Commissioners adopt the first OS Master Plan.
• JCOS partners with National Park Service, BLM, local nursery, The Nature Conservancy, professional groups such as ranger training program.

1978
• Jeffco Board of Commissioners Robert Clement and Harold Anderson (Commissioner Joanne Paterson voted no) proposed three amendments to divert funds that threatened the original intent of the program.
• PLAN JeffCo reorganized and campaigned against the Commissioners. JeffCo voters supported the fledgling program by defeating all three.
• Scenic and historic value of Apex Trail attracts designation as part of National Trails System by US Dept of Interior.
• Arvada, Lakewood, Edgewater, and Westminster sue JeffCo to obtain their full attributable share of Open Space sales tax revenue. The courts ruled that the Open Space fund was adopted by County citizens, was a County tax, and was to be administered by the County.

1979
• PJ members lead neighborhood push to acquire Crown Hill Park (182 ac) for Lakewood and Wheat Ridge to manage.

1980
• County Commissioners propose three amendments again, this time including use of OS sales tax funds to built a new jail. They initiate a SLAPP suit against PLAN JeffCo leaders Margot Zallen, John Litz, and Sandy Bryant. PJ countersues claiming the use of county funds for advertising must include both sides of an issue. Court orders Commissioners to provide both sides. Massive publicity from Denver dailies and broadcast rally JeffCo voters to defeat all but one proposal that allows OS funds for capital improvements.
• The establishment of a Joint Venture Grant program allowed for competitive application for matched grant funds. Voter approval also allowed OS to provide campgrounds at White Ranch and Reyolds Parks and a regional multiple sports complex at Clement Park.
• Objectives identified in the 1980 Open Space Study/Master Plan identified goals for neighborhood parkland, community parkland, and natural Open Space. Of the natural open space land, two categories existed: Open Space Greenbelt lands left in their natural state and Cultural Heritage lands of archeological or historical importance. Golf courses, shooting ranges and riding stables were left to the private sector or city and special districts to develop.

1981
• Mt. Glennon Hogback (315 ac) purchased.
• PJ begins regular newsletter and constant oversight of OSAC meetings.
• OS assumes management responsibilities for the Hiwan Homestead Museum and JeffCo Nature Center.

1982
• PJ initiates photography, map-reading, and cross-country ski clinics to publicize OS parks.
• JCOS receives Land & Water Conservation Fund $750,000 grant toward Clement Park acquisition.

1984
• PJ starts dinners with Commissioners and OSAC to improve communication.

1985
• PJ objects to use of OS revenue to purchase “poison park” near Rocky Flats.
• Green Mountain Park annexed by Lakewood, which takes responsibility for management.
• Pine Valley Ranch (820 ac) purchased.
• Some OSAC members and the County Commissioners felt that the ½ cent sales tax could be better used on other needs, claiming “10,000 acres of Open Space is enough.” At the same time, Open Space sought to acquire and develop Clement Park in an unincorporated area for active recreation.

1986
• Elk Meadow (1268 ac), Jeffco Government Center (99 ac), Meyer Ranch (397 ac) purchased.
• PLAN Jeffco requests a 17- member Ad Hoc Committee to examine where OS was headed. The controversy over OS development of Clement Park questioned purpose of recreation management or land preservation. While the Committee met for 18 months, a moratorium was placed on acquisitions until a Master Plan was completed.
• OSAC approves land trade with Arvada for Westwoods Golf Course.
• Clear Creek Land Conservancy is formed to preserve the Clear Creek Corridor.

1987
• Ad Hoc Committee recommends types of projects appropriate for OS.
• Lair O’ The Bear (317 ac) purchased.

1988
• PJ challenges County Commissioners use of $413,000 OS revenues to improve W. Bowles Ave. The county returned $90,000 to OS.
• JCOS receives Park Design Excellence Award for Robert Clement Park.
• Security and Leisure Services were dissolved and a Ranger program evolved from an initial Park Host program.
• Canyon Defense Coalition formed to fight Goltra Quarry proposed for Clear Creek Canyon.
• PJ begins in-depth series on city use of attributable share in quarterly newsletter.

1989
• Master Plan completed and acquisition moratorium lifted ($50 million had accumulated).
• Deer Creek Canyon (1781 ac) acquired.
• Trails 2000 Plan drafted; Intergovernmental agreement with Denver Mountain Parks
• PJ supports citizen outcry to keep Nature Center as educational arm of OS program.
• JCNA identifies tallgrass prairie areas near Rocky Flats; PJ supports protection of these unusual native plant communities.

1990
• Lakewood prevails over PJ opposition to using OS revenues to build Fox Hollow Golf Course.
• PJ recommends an ecological inventory of county, in response to JCNA suggestion.
• Many properties in Bear Creek Corridor finalized to complement Denver’s early preservation.
• Hawkwatch begins on Dakota Hogback; raptor migration monitored March and April.

1991
• PJ begins lobbying for a Volunteer Coordinator staff position in OS.
• Lair o' the Bear (designated Best New Park by Westword.
• PJ newsletter draws concerned attention to the slow rate of actual land acquisition, publicizes need for more staff, more flexibility, examination of too-lengthy process.
• JCOS receives Achievement Award from National Association of Counties.

1992
• PJ turns focus on biodiversity and need to preserve ecological balance.
• A quarry operator at Heritage Square proposes a land exchange involving quarry expansion into Matthews/Winters Park for acreage on North Table Mountain. The proposal never went to the Commissioners. Western Mobile withdrew the plan due to intense opposition and OSAC denial. PJ fights land exchange proposal to give up 100 acres at Mathews-Winters for 400 acres on North Table Mtn., fearful of the precedent it would set. OSAC and Commissioners deny proposal to exchange 100 acres of Mathews Winters for 400 acres of North Table Mtn.
• Mt Lindo (763 ac) purchased; Bear Creek Canyon (1400 ac) acquired from Bear Creek Dev. Corp. with Trust for Public Lands aid.
• PJ and Clear Creek Land Conservancy convince Commissioners to deny Goltra mining proposal for Clear Creek Canyon and plan to preserve the entire canyon.
• Open Space purchased the Wagner Ranch for the Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center.

1993
• Colorado Natural Heritage Program completes Inventory report to guide acquisition of natural areas.
• JCOS receives award from National Association of Counties for its Adopt-a-Trail Program.
• Pleasant View Metro District gets Colorado Lottery Starburst Award for Park Improvements.

1994
• Citizens rally to preserve Noble Meadow; PJ endorses formation of Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT.
• Ralston Buttes (185 ac); Quarter Circle (708 a); Stenger Sports Complex purchased.

1995
• More than 4,500 acres acquired, bringing total to 29,000 acres of OPEN SPACE!
• Citizens rally for South Valley.
• PJ Annual Meeting again addresses Master Plan; participants overwhelmingly support acquisition of natural lands, preservation, ecological considerations, and education. “How many times do we have to say this?”
• OSAC approves $1.8m for construction of new Lookout Mountain Nature Center. PJ members take active interest in Future Jeffco Strategic Plan.
• Trail user issues surface due to influx of mountain bikers.
• Commissioners Laurel, Miller, and Stone approve gravel mining permit on remnant tallgrass prairie identified in Heritage Inventory, on condition that 5-year study be conducted to evaluate similar plant communities and consider conservation plan.
• Jeffco Citizen Needs Survey identifies acquiring large tracts of land to prevent development and provide trails as top priority. Golf courses ranked dead last!
• Westminster, Arvada, and Broomfield propose OS funding of golf course at Jeffco Airport.
• Noble Meadow (382 ac) acquired.
• Trails Task Force begin to address conflicts between hikers and mountain bikers.

1996
• Apex Trail rendered virtually inaccessible to hikers due to heavy use by mountain bikers.
• Clear Creek properties (totaling 1100 ac) purchased.
• South Valley (895 ac) acquired.
• Park Ranger program begins.
• Director Ray Printz and JCOS receive Jane Silverstein Ries Award from American Society of Landscape Architects or pioneering stewardship of land use values in the Rocky Mountain region. Printz retires after 22 years of service.
• Jefferson County is designated a Trail Town USA by American Hiking Society. Two million people are now using 200 miles of trail, and no county resident is more than 4 miles (15 minutes) from a trail. When citizens were surveyed, 95.5% of residents said they use Open Space parks and trails and 88% were satisfied with the quality of trails and facilities.

1997
• County Commissioners Lawrence, Holloway, and Sheehan hire Ron Holliday as new OS director. Six months later, they advance Holliday to County Administrator.
• PJ urges test of trail separation, e.g., alternate day closures, to resolve continued user concerns.
• JCOS celebrates 25th Anniversary and New Lookout Mountain Nature Center opens.
• PJ Annual Meeting presents facts showing that 60 approved property acquisitions would have long delays for purchase within present revenue projections. The meeting included examples of different types of taxing or bonding and the possible rate of acquisition they could provide.

1998
• Ralph Schell is replaced Ron Holliday as OS Director.
• Commissioners support Open Space $160 million Bonding proposal for November ballot. The Save Open Space (SOS) campaign promises no tax increase as acquisitions using bonds will be paid with future sales tax revenues. It gained 71% voter approval. Cities and recreation districts negotiated for a Regional Sports Facilities Grant Program to match funds with bond money. Commissioners approved $10 million ear-marked for regional sports facilities over a five-year period to bridge the gap between need and severe lack of facilities.
• PJ works with Open Space staff to prepare Legacy Grant proposal for GO Colorado funding.
• GoCo awards $5 million to OS for Clear Creek Corridor.
• PJ supports Canyon Area Residents for the Environment (CARE) in their effort to define and create a Colorado Heritage Area at the "Gateway to the Rockies."

1999
• An intense flurry of acquisitions secured priority park acquisitions in urban areas: Westminster City Park, Standley Lake, Whitlock Center and Washington Heights in Lakewood, Majestic View in Arvada, Greenbelt in Wheat Ridge, and Tony Grampsas Memorial Sport Complex in Golden.
• Open Space Foundation is privately organized to solicit, receive, administer, and disburse donations of money or land to benefit JCOS.
• PJ sponsors workshop on Conservation Priorities and Wetlands identification.
• Open Space purchases Goltra property along Clear Creek.
• OSAC recognized for outstanding service to the park, recreation, and conservation movement by the National Recreation and Park Assoc. Midwest Regional Council.

2000
• Save The Mesas group and PJ oppose proposed Nike headquarters on South Table Mountain. North and South Table Mountains have been priority acquisitions since 1973.
• Park Management Plans scheduled. Review of physical conditions and needs, citizen uses.
• Trail Plan for Centennial Cone separate hiking and biking trails; hunting will be allowed for the first time on OS land.
• TJ recommends Commissioners consider ecosystems as a priority for identification.
• Mt. Vernon Country Club, Denver Mountain parks and JC Open Space worked to preserve hiker-only trial overlooking Clear Creek Canyon’s stunning inner gorge and mountain meadows trail at west junction of historic Beaver Brook Trail. They named trail for Gudy Gaskill (leader and builder of Colorado Trail).

2001
• OSAC and Commissioners plan Founders Recognition located at Elk Meadow Park. Original PJ organizers honored with a rock mounted plaque.
• Fehringer Ranch involved a unique cooperative venture with private and public partnerships to incorporate commercial, recreational and educational facilities. A portion of the property was acquired using Open Space Fond Funds for active recreation fields leased to the Foothills Park and Recreation District.

2002
• PJ reviews, provides input, and approves Lafarge land trade proposal (initially proposed by previous owner Western Mobile raised intense opposition) for 60 acres of Matthews-Winters Park land for 400 acres on North Table Mountain.
• The Lafarge land trade called for a more stringent policy regarding disposal of Open Space property. The Commissioners approved a strengthened property transfer policy requiring significant ecological, recreational or cultural benefits for Open Space and approval by a super majority of the Open Space Advisory Committee members.
• JeffCo OS celebrates 30th Anniversary with nearly 50,000 acres now acquired.

2003
• Open Space Master Plan 2003 outlines the values sought for property acquisition:
• Natural Area Plan Sites
• Trails 2000 or other trails
• Contiguity
• Unique or scenic point/corridor
• Threatened, endangered or species of concern
• Historical/archaeological site
• Front Range Mountain Backdrop/Foreground
• City or Recreation District priority—recreation/open space potential
• Congruence with community plans
• Buffers

2004
• OS bond funds were matched with Great Outdoors Colorado to acquire South Table Mountain Park lands from Coors Brewing Company at the end of 2004.
• Many Open Space parks are adjacent to 10,000 acres of historic Denver Mountain Park properties. Denver and Jefferson County entered into an agreement for more effective planning, as well as resource and recreational management.

2005
• A vital component of the Open Space success and public support has been a base of volunteers who greet park visitors, build and patrol trails, observe wildlife, and share their love of nature with visitors. Over 750 volunteers assisted Open Space in 2005.
• Preservation of over 50,805 acres of land. Built over 189 miles of trails. Collected over $623 million in sales tax revenues. Distributed over $176 million directly to cities to support park, recreation and open space objectives. Awarded $67 million in grants to cities and special districts from county funds.