On March 17, 2017, Jeffco Open Space (JCOS) and Clear Creek County Open Space (CCCOS), with grant assistance from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and in partnership with The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT), finalized the land acquisition of a 108-acre parcel, called North Floyd Hill. Located on the north side of Interstate-70 in Clear Creek County, this purchase marks the first acquisition JCOS has made outside of Jefferson County. The procurement signifies the strengthening of important partnerships between multiple land management agencies and land trust organizations.
The cooperative efforts between counties and agencies demonstrates a committed prioritization of visitor benefits over jurisdiction ownership. By adding a new trailhead and approximately 5.2 miles of new trail, North Floyd Hill will serve as a connecting hub to CCCOS lands, JCOS lands and other public lands totaling more than 7,000 acres. This procurement includes the prospect of new access points onto the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park, assisting with visitor and traffic dispersion along the popular US Hwy 6 Clear Creek corridor.
MALT and TPL initially approached JCOS about the project in early 2016 and facilitated partnerships with the neighboring agencies. To finalize the purchase, a true community endeavor developed with JCOS contributing $200,000, CCCOS providing $300,000, and GOCO awarding $545,000 in grant monies to TPL, in partnership with MALT. TPL and MALT also received $5,000 from GOCO for the connecting youth to the outdoors through this project. This grant is part of GOCO’s Open Space Grant Program which will protect 13,000 acres of land in this latest cycle. This is not the first time that JCOS has partnered with CCCOS; they have worked together on a segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail straddling the county line in Clear Creek Canyon as well.
The property will be co-owned by Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties, with continued partnership in future design, development and improvements. Clear Creek County will be responsible for operational management, visitor services and regulation enforcement. MALT will hold the conservation Easement permanently protecting the public access, open space and wildlife habitat.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners were supportive of the acquisition and approved it knowing the long-term vision and benefits to the public.
Read More about Clear Creek County Open Space
Read More about Great Outdoors Colorado
Read More about Mountain Area Land Trust
Read More about The Trust for Public Land
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 230 miles of trails in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Matt Robbins
Community Connections Manager
303-271-5902
[email protected]