Open Space Update 9/17/2020
Miss Mountain Manners here. It’s time to catch up with what’s been happening behind the scenes in our beloved Jeffco Open Space Parks. As park visitors, it’s hard to envision all the hard work and planning that goes into making our Open Space Parks the wonderful places that they truly are. Here’s some insight:
More COVID-19 Info
During our [Jeffco Open Space] All Team meeting last week most of the questions and comments pertained to COVID-19. This shows our ongoing awareness and commitment to prevention and that we are not succumbing to the pandemic and letting our guard down. For that, I applaud all of you and encourage your continued commitment to prevention and following safety protocols.
As an additional resource, we are preparing a short video on prevention and response. I hope you view this periodically to refresh your memory about best COVID practices and protocols.
In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID case in the workplace, supervisors and managers will begin the process of contact tracing to determine which, if any, employees have been in close contact within the last 48 hours with the person in question.
What constitutes close contact? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines close contact as: a person that has been within six feet of the infected person for greater than 15 minutes.
So, what is Contact Tracing? It is this simple process of asking questions of employees that have been in close contact with the person or persons in question to gather information including:
Were you closer than six feet for more than 15 minutes with any of your colleagues/coworkers with or without a face covering?
- If no, the only action needed is for the potentially infected employee to go home for the required symptom-free period. The symptom-free period is 72 hours without medication, or ten (10) days since the first symptom.
- If yes, identify the coworkers and explain the circumstances of the close contact:
- Was the close contact in an indoor or outdoor setting?
- If indoors, was the area enclosed or ventilated?
- Did one or both of you have face coverings on?
- Was there physical exertion or a lot of animated conversation?
If you must be closer than six feet to anyone, keep the time you are close to fewer than 15 minutes. This will mitigate exposure risk considerably. You can further mitigate exposure risk by wearing a face covering, opening windows, propping doors open, and reducing strong or animated conversation.
2020 Conservation Awards Canceled
The tough decision was made to not host the Conservation Awards this year. Rather, we will be developing a celebration video to be shared with all Staff, Volunteers and Partners.
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pex Park – New Trail Management Implementation Begins Today [September 10,2020]!
With the new management change at Apex Park happening today, several JCOS teams braved the cold weather earlier this week to replace 20 trail signs and infographics to reflect the updates as well as cleared hanging branches and drains in preparation for what will likely be a busy weekend. As a reminder, you must now know the calendar date to safely use the Park.
[Bikes in the restricted segments of trails only on even-numbered days; no bikes on odd-numbered days.]
Centennial Cone Park Travois Trail – BLM Right-of-Way
Since 1995, the County has leased two parcels of land totaling 240 acres from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) north of Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon. The JCOS Centennial Cone Park Travois Trail traverses through portions of the property.
During the lease term, BLM policies changed, and these parcels now fall under BLM’s Right-of-Way (ROW) permit system. JCOS worked with BLM to establish a permanent, 25-foot-wide ROW permit along the length of the Travois Trail.
South Valley Park: South Trailhead Scheduled to Open the week of Sept. 21
We are on schedule to have the trailhead completed and open the week of September 21. Towards the end of last week, the concrete flatwork around the kiosk and restroom was poured and the curb and gutter were completed by Road & Bridge’s contractor. Due to the weather this week [it snowed], asphalt paving will be pushed back to next week, along with striping and revegetating the site.
Cartegraph Asset Management – Pavement
The Cartegraph Implementation Team has reached a major milestone with the launch of a new Open Space asset into the test environment. The preliminary footprint of the Open Space Pavement Asset covers over 2.4M sq. ft. equaling 57 acres. Assets like pavement are crucial in providing visitors and staff safe and sustainable access to the Open Space system. Big shout out to Christy Bouchard, Cory Marusin, Rob Thayer, Sean Perkins, Park Services and Building & Historic Sites for getting this asset and its data to where it is now.
Governor Polis Provides Update on COVID-19 Response (9/15/2020)
Please see the press release below from the Governor’s office. On Tuesday, the state announced a new format for the reopening plan, called A New Dial for Protect Our Neighbors, Safer at Home and Stay at Home. This tool will provide transparency and predictability for local governments and allow for a visual representation of a county’s success in suppressing the virus.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial
Dinosaur Ridge – Crocodile Creek Stairs Project
Phase 1 construction at the Crocodile Creek Stairs project at Dinosaur Ridge has been completed. Improvements include rock scaling and stabilization, along with the installation of storm water diversion structures and concrete piers. The piers will serve as the foundation for future stairs and a viewing platform to be installed in Phase 2, once fundraising is complete.
If you are interested in helping Dinosaur Ridge bring this project to completion, you can find out more information here: https://dinoridge.org/support-dino-ridge/
South Table Mountain – Undesignated Trail Restoration Begins
This week, undesignated trail (UT) restoration work began at South Table Mountain. The UTs will be chewed up using a mini excavator then a native seed mix will be put down. Once completed later this month, approximately 1.4 miles of undesignated trails will be closed. The goal is that by next spring these UTs will be officially restored.
Heritage Square Land Exchange
On Tuesday morning [9/14/2020], the Board of County Commissioners approved the Heritage Square Exchange Agreement with Martin Marietta Materials (MMM), which proposes to exchange approximately 64 acres of the Matthews/Winters Park property for approximately 131 acres of MMM property located in the vicinity of Heritage Square. MMM will now submit an application to Jeffco Planning & Zoning requesting that the 64 acres be rezoned to permit mining, a process that will take 9-12 months. If the rezoning is approved, JCOS will request approval to proceed with the land exchange in late 2021.
Flying J Ranch Park – Firewood Sale Begins
This past weekend [9/12 – 9/13] kicked off our annual firewood sale and approximately 100 cords of wood were removed. This is a great start and we have two weekends left to continue chipping away at the log pile.
23 Volunteer Group Projects will be Completed by Month’s End
By the end of the month, Volunteers will have completed 23 group projects including a women’s only trail runners volunteer project, three light trail maintenance projects with NREL and a project with Life’s Too Short fitness. Thanks to all of those who helped facilitate these valuable projects.
Now that you know how hard our dedicated Open Space staff, volunteers and partners work to make these parks such special places, the next time you see a Ranger, Park Host or Patroller, take a moment to say “thank you”. And don’t forget your mask!
Recent events: The fire at Deer Creek Canyon Park in August of 2019 burned 20 – 25 acres and was human caused. It required evacuations and six fire agencies to fight the blaze. In July, 2020, the “Elephant Butte Fire” west of Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, due to lightning, burned about 50 acres. A heavy rain helped that firefighting effort. In April, 2020 the “560 Fire” in the Pike National Forest in Jeffco burned at least 83 acres in the Hayman burn scar. Looking further back, in 2012, the “Lower North Fork” fire turned deadly, claiming 3 lives and torching thousands of acres in the Conifer area. We probably all remember the massive Hayman fire in 2002, which burned 138,114 acres across four counties including Jefferson. It can happen again.
The week’s news from Jefferson County Open Space’s Director:
South Valley Park: South Trailhead
Lava Loop Trail 
Today we have a little history lesson plus a talk about proper trail etiquette. I want to show you what happens when visitors to the parks fail to #StayOnTrail.
The trail took six years to finish; it was completed in 1971. To build the switchbacks, Jack had to move boulders that weighed up to two tons with just his block and tackle – truly a labor of love! The rock retaining walls on the trail stand as a tribute to his efforts.
According to Colorado Lifestyle: “No one ever hikes the Lubahn Trail by itself. Instead they use it as the primary way to get part way up South Table Mountain in Golden and then use one of the many unofficial (social) trails to the top of Castle Rock (formally known as Table Rock). According to the city, this additional excursion is illegal because it traverses private property.”
These photos show what can (and does) happen to a trail when it’s abused. Over its lifetime, trekkers and hill climbers, on foot and mountain bike, have short-cut the switchbacks, causing damage – in some places, significant damage – to the original rock work that forms the walls that line the trail. As a knowledgeable Park Visitor, I’m sure you would never do something like this, because if you did, then you would be adding to the damage on the trail.
As you can see from these photos, the Lubahn Trail can be narrow in parts. Social distancing in this age of Covid is not possible when encountering others coming in the opposite direction, so have your mask ready and put it on. 
There is no clear boundary between the private and JCOS land, although there are some recently installed posts on the JCOS border along the new JCOS trail, saying that it is private land behind the posts. None of these posts are visible from where one attains the mesa top via the Lubahn trail, and no one taking the Lubahn would have any way of knowing they were on private land. It’s also not clear where the border is between city of Golden and private land.
A half-block away is the new JCOS trail. It has a COVID signboard plus a newly installed map of South Table Mountain open space. There is no official parking or public restrooms. The neighborhood street is almost always packed with parked cars. Any park visitor would assume both trails are sanctioned for use. A very common hike is to go up one trail and come down the other.
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Don your mask and make like the Lone Ranger – with your nose and mouth covered when near others. The Lone Ranger says, “There comes a time when good man must wear a mask.” That time is now. Take your trusty steed – boots, bike, dog (leashed), or horse (properly controlled) – and head out to some Jeffco Open Space on your own or with a trusted friend (preferably one). But beware, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by so many of us who are seeking respite from the COVID-19 restrictions and stressful uncertainties our lives. Our dedicated park rangers and volunteers are out again helping us all do the right thing, but they are stretched thin and need your support and cooperation. Their numbers are limited, and they can’t be everywhere at once.
