Jeffco Open Space and Parks Receives National Agency Accreditation

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Matthews-Winters Jeffco Open Space & Parks has recently earned National Agency Accreditation from CAPRA, the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. This accreditation is in recognition to JCOS’ commitment to excellence.

The accreditation process is a self-assessment which is then reviewed during a CAPRA on-site visitation, which was done last July. The CAPRA Commission rendered their decision on October 13, based on their assertion that JCOS met 143 of 144 established CAPRA standards. Jeffco Open Space and Parks is now CAPRA Accredited through 2018 when the agency must seek re-accreditation.

Read the full story at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/jeffco-open-space-and-parks-receives-national-agency-accreditation/

 

DOUGLAS MOUNTAIN PROPOSED ACQUISITION CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS & LISTENING LOG

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Douglas Mountain listening log_first page image

On the 22nd of October, Jeffco Open Space held a Community Meeting to discuss the proposed acquisition of 964 acres on the top of Douglas Mountain. This is the first page of the listening log — a summary of feedback from the audience. Click on the image to see a clearer copy; read the entire listening log here:  http://jeffco.us/parks/documents/douglas-mountain-documents/jcos-listening-log-douglas-mountain-community-meeting-final/

SINGLE USE TRAILS WORKING GROUP IN JEFFCO

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Aldefer Three SistersFrom: Thea Rock, Thursday, October 30, 2014
Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) will be forming a working group to study the feasibility of single use trails within JCOS Parks. JCOS currently provides 236 miles of trail for outdoor, nature-based experiences. While the majority of these trails are open to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use under our multi-use definition, 21.5 miles offers an experience for specific user types. Today, JCOS offers 14 miles of hiker only, 7 miles of hiker and equestrian only and 0.5 miles of bike only trails. An additional 18.75 miles have some type of directional or alternating use management in place.
With the goal of being responsive to our user communities and reducing the potential for trail conflict, this working group will be assessing the effectiveness of our existing single use trails and exploring the possibility of providing this experience on new or existing trails.
This Working Group for Single Use Trails will be formed from JCOS staff, partner agencies, user advocacy groups and interested citizens. The purpose will be to explore the feasibility of single use trails in Jefferson County Open Space. The outcome of this working group will be a report on group findings that should include the pros and cons of providing single use trails in the Parks, and if applicable, indicate potential test sites with monitoring programs to gauge effectiveness. The Group will make a recommendation of action to JCOS management team.
The Group makeup will consist of 3 to 4 JCOS staff members, 9 to 10 representatives from user advocacy groups, reps from other partner agencies, and interested citizens. To apply, interested citizens must submit a resume and letter of interest to Dave Davenport, Outdoor Recreation Management Coordinator, by end of business, Friday, November 14, 2014 to ddavenpo@jeffco.us or 700 Jeffco Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401.
Selection criteria of Working Group members will include but is not limited to: residency or business interest in Jefferson County; involvement with JCOS as a volunteer, advocate, or have conducted permitted activities in the Parks; and individuals who identify themselves with more than one user group.

Mountain Area Land Trust Newsletter – Fall 2014

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MALT newsletter fall 2014

Click on this link to read the full newsletter in your web browser.

CCLC Calendar Photo Contest Reception, Thu 10/30

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CCLC Calendar 2015The Clear Creek Land Conservancy (CCLC) Calendar Photo Contest Reception is this Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at Mount Vernon Country Club.  David McKenna, the Art Director at 5280 Magazine and the final judge this year, will give a presentation on his work and a critique of this year winning photographs.  There will be appetizers and a cash bar, and this is the perfect time to pick up your CCLC calendars, as they will be unveiled at the reception.

Please feel free to invite friends and supporters.  A $15 donation is suggested, or purchase a calendar (which is $15).

RSVP by Monday, October 27th and please include the number and name of your guests. RSVP to:

Claire Riegelman

Executive Director

Clear Creek Land Conservancy

303.718.9546

claire@clearcreeklandconservancy.org

www.clearcreeklandconservancy.org

 

JCOS Hosts ‘Trails Talk’ Forum Wed 10/29

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Jeffco Open Space to Hold Follow-Up ‘Trails Talk’ Forum

Jeffco Open Space is hosting a second Trails Talk public forum this year to continue the dialog on experiences in the parks and on the trails. Come to listen, join the conversation, or sign up to put boots on the ground.

This event will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401 in the first floor conference rooms.

In addition to talk of flood recovery, Jeffco Open Space will provide an update on new trails, the status of working groups, and volunteer involvement opportunities. Following a presentation, staff experts will be available for one-on-one questions on a variety of topics.

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. We are funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax that has preserved over 53,000 acres and created 28 regional parks and 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County.

For more information contact Thea Rock, Jeffco Open Space
303-271-5902, trock@jeffco.us

 

JEFFCO OPEN SPACE ACQUIRING GOLDEN CLIFFS CLIMBING AREA

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Jeffco Open Space and The Access Fund will celebrate the ownership transfer of the Golden Cliffs rock-climbing area at North Table Mountain Park on Friday, Oct. 24, from 3-4 p.m., at the Peery Trailhead on the south portion of the mesa. Representatives from Jeffco Open Space, The Access Fund, and the climbing community will be present at the celebration; the general public is invited to participate. Light refreshments will be served.

Read the full story at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/golden-cliffs-transferring-to-jeffco-open-space-oct–24/

Golden Cliffs has been a popular destination with many established sport- and traditional-climbing routes. Jeffco Open Space adds this location to its inventory of climbing venues — Cathedral Spires, Clear Creek Canyon and Mt. Lindo. For more information on climbing, please visit the climbing page on our website at http://jeffco.us/parks/recreation/climbing/.

 

Feds OK Chatfield Project; Suit Looms…

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Chatfield project ok-edPage 4A in Friday, October 10, 2014 issue of The Denver Post, “Feds OK Chatfield Project; Suit Looms”

Deal will add to water supply but inundate 10% state park…by Bruce Finley, The Denver Post

Federal water engineers on Thursday launched the long-planned and controversial Chatfield Reservoir water supply project, closing a deal with Colorado sponsors.

Audubon Society opponents filed a lawsuit…

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If you’ve been following the Army Corp of Engineers’ proposal to heighten the dam at Chatfield, and you missed this article in the Denver and the West section, first page, I hate to break the news to you, but the project has been green-lighted, according to the Denver Post on Friday, October 10th.

The Chatfield Reservoir was initially constructed in 1975 for flood control. Supporters of this project claim that the Denver area will require additional water reserves in order to deal with an estimated population of 8.6 – 10.3 million residents by 2050. By reallocating these waters for residential, industrial and agricultural uses and increasing the holding capacity of the Reservoir, Denver water engineers hope to avoid having to siphon water from the Western Slope.

Conservation groups have fought long and hard to halt this project, citing the impending loss of bird, wildlife and recreational habitat due to the 12-foot projected rise in water level, and the eventual lack of snow melt to fill the larger reservoir. The Audubon Society of Greater Denver filed suit last week in U.S. District Court, arguing that federal authorities dismissed better alternatives without appropriate due diligence, and cited the Clean Water Act, which allows only the least-damaging alternative solution.

For the full story go to http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/DenverPost/Default.aspx?href=TDP%2F2014%2F10%2F10&pageno=4&view=document

 

Jefferson County Open Space Community Meeting – Douglas Mountain Proposed Acquisition

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There will be a community meeting for the proposed Douglas Mountain acquisition (North Jeffco) on Wednesday, October 22,2014, at the Jeffco Open Space Ponderosa meeting room, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, at 6:30PM. Be there on time; a presentation starts promptly at 6:35PM, after which you’ll have a chance to ask questions and review maps.

Read the full letter of invitation here: Doug Mtn letter – final_invitation to public comment mtg

Douglas Mountain Proposed Acquisition map

JCOS Earns CAPRA Certification!

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CAPRA logo

The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) approved National Agency Accreditation for Jeffco Open Space and Parks, recognizing their commitment to excellence.  The accreditation process is a comprehensive self-evaluation and peer review of business practices that take place in three phases: the development of the agency self-assessment report submitted in April, the on-site visitation held in July and the Commission’s review and decision held today, October 13, 2014.

Read the full press release at http://jeffco.us/parks/news/2014/jeffco-open-space-and-parks-receives-national-agency-accreditation/