News Flash

March 24, 2017 - Clear Creek County Communications, Colo. – Clear Creek County Open Space (CCCOS), Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS), Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), The Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT), finalized the land acquisition March 17th , of a 108-acre parcel, called ‘Floyd Hill Open Space’. This property was purchased to protect the scenic gateway to the County along I-70 and provide new recreational opportunities. 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. By adding a new trailhead and initially about 5.2 miles of new trail, Floyd Hill Open Space will serve as a connecting hub to over 700 acres of CCCOS lands and 12,000 acres of JCOS lands. The trail system will provide another way to access the the Peaks to Plains Trail which runs along Clear Creek in Clear Creek Canyon as well as providing additional hiking and mountain biking opportunities.
“This is truly a significant acquisition because it provides access from the I-70 corridor to the Clear Creek Canyon trail system,” said Martha Tableman, Clear Creek County Open Space Coordinator. “I can’t thank our great team (JCOS, GOCO, TPL, MALT) enough for their hard work, contributions and vision for Colorado,” she added. MALT was also awarded a Connecting Youth Initiative GOCO grant to fund guided hikes for kids from the Denver area which will use the Floyd Hill Open Space.

TPL initially approached CCCOS and JCOS about the project in early 2016 and facilitated the partnerships between the two agencies and MALT. To finalize the purchase, a true community endeavor developed with CCCOS providing $300,000, JCOS contributing $200,000, and GOCO awarding $545,000 in grant monies for the purchase of the 108 acres. This grant is part of GOCO’s Open Space Grant Program which will protect 13,000 acres of land in this latest
cycle. The Conservation Easement on the property is held by MALT to ensure its permanent protection.
This is not the first time that CCCOS has partnered with JCOS. They have worked together on building a segment of the Peaks to Plains Trail straddling the Clear Creek/Jefferson 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 Open Space will be responsible for operational management, visitor services and regulation enforcement.
The Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners approved the acquisition recognizing the importance of the gateway and the recreational opportunities for Clear Creek citizens and others.
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
In November 1999, the voters of Clear Creek County, Colorado, approved the establishment of a County Open Space Program to be administered by the Clear Creek County Open Space Commission. The voters also approved a 1 mill tax levy and a bond authority for $1.5 million to be used for the acquisition and management of open space lands within the county jurisdiction.
The mission of the Clear Creek County Open Space Commission is to preserve and maintain the county’s unique character and natural environment by protecting our streams, woodlands, meadows, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities prominent vistas, geologic features, and cultural resources to enhance the quality of life for residents and the enjoyment of the out-of-doors for residents and visitors.
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For more information, contact John Bryan, Communications Specialist, at 303-679-2307, or email: jbryan@co.clear-creek.co.us.
Clear Creek County Official Website: http://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/
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