After a year and a half of rock work, winching, cutting and rock placement, an extension has been added to the Dakota Ridge Trail in Matthews/Winters Park, part of Jeffco Open Space. Located on the geological formation known as the hogback, above C-470 and the Bandimere Speedway, the original Dakota Ridge Trail from I-70 to the Alameda Cut led to multiple undesignated trails. The trail extension adds 1.3 miles of “Most Difficult” rated trail to Matthews/Winters Park and connects the trail back to Red Rocks Park Entrance 2 on the west side of the park.
The trail experience includes multiple bike-optimized features which are designed to be ridden in a clockwise direction and were designed and built with the help of many committed community groups and over 1,600 volunteer hours. Work will continue on Dakota Ridge South Trail, which is scheduled to open later this year.
The Jeffco Open Space Trails team credits the dedication of several groups for the completion of this project: Colorado Mountain Bike Association, International Mountain Biking Association, Elevation Outdoors, Golden Giddyup Team, REI, Guerrilla Gravity, School to Work Alliance Program, and Boulder Brands.
View Dakota Ridge Trail Extension Fact Sheet and Map
Jeffco Open Space was founded as a land conservation organization in 1972. Our mission is to preserve open space and parkland, protect park and natural resources, and provide healthy, nature-based experiences. Funded with a one-half of one percent sales tax, our organization contributes to city and park district projects, has preserved more than 54,000 acres, and manages 29 open space parks and more than 236 miles of trails in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Matt Robbins
Community Connections Manager
303-271-5902
[email protected]