Boulder Open Space          
             
 

Introduction

The citizens of Boulder and Boulder County have long recognized the unique beauty of their lands and have worked over the years to protect special places from development. Beginning with actions to protect Chautauqua meadow and the Flatirons backdrop around the turn of the 20th century, Boulder County citizens have set aside more than 120,000 acres of land under city and county open space protection. In 1967, Boulder City residents supported a sales tax levy to provide funds necessary to purchase lands. The county initiated a counterpart program in the 1980s. Now there are similar programs in Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette, and Erie. The open space model pioneered here has caught on around Colorado and in many other states.

Friends of Boulder Open Space is committed to the long-term conservation and use of these lands for the benefit of present and future generations.

Open Space Articles

  
 
             
             
 

Background

“Open space” refers to lands that have been intentionally set aside from residential or commercial development. Landowners may voluntarily choose to place such restrictions on their property, for example through a conservation easement that is held by a qualified land trust or governmental entity. In Boulder County, we have two tax-funded programs under which the city and county may purchase private lands for the purpose of maintaining those lands as open space.

Boulder has a long tradition of acquisition of lands to serve community interests. Perhaps the first such action was the City’s purchase of farmlands adjacent to the foothills in 1898 to create Chautauqua Park. In 1907 the U.S. gave 1,600 acres of land on Flagstaff Mountain to the City. In 1912, the City purchased from the U.S. another 1,200 acres on the Mountain for $1.25 per acre.

The idea of establishing a tax-funded program specifically targeted at purchase of lands to preserve their open space values emerged in the 1960s. The impetus was concern about development in the city’s unique mountain backdrop. PLAN Boulder led the successful effort in 1967 to get voter approval for a 4/10th of one cent increase in the sales tax that would be used to purchase lands in Boulder’s “greenbelt,” the as-yet undeveloped area immediately surrounding the City. The County established a department of parks and open space in 1975.

For a more complete history.
 
 

Harold Malde

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Lands

As of 2006, the City has acquired 375 separate properties at a cost of about $150 million, comprising in total over 43,000 acres. The lands are managed by the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP). City Council merged the Mountain Parks and Open Space programs in 2001.

Direction for the acquisition and management of City Open Space lands is provided by a charter, adopted by the voters of Boulder in 1986. Strong emphasis is placed on preservation of natural areas, water, wildlife habitat, fragile ecosystems, and scenic areas. The Charter includes preservation of lands for agricultural use. Provision is specifically made for recreational uses so long as they are “passive,” defined by example as hiking, photography, or nature studies. Where specifically designated, uses may also include bicycling, horseback riding, or fishing.

City Open Space and Mountain Parks lands serve to limit urban sprawl, focusing most human development within City boundaries and providing distinct separation between the City of Boulder and its neighboring cities and towns. In addition to this important urban shaping function, OSMP lands preserve parts of the area’s rich agricultural tradition. In most cases, historically agricultural lands have been maintained in agricultural use. Cattle grazing still occurs on suitable lands, and pasture lands are still irrigated and hayed. Some agricultural lands remain in private ownership, but are covered by a conservation easement held by the City (or the County) assuring they will never be developed for residential or commercial uses.

Most lands either remain undeveloped or have returned to largely pre-development conditions. Particularly those lands that never had been farmed still maintain their native vegetation. Because OSMP lands vary considerably in topography, elevation, and soil types they support a wide diversity of vegetation types. There are an estimated 700 species of trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, and ferns on OSMP lands.

OSMP lands provide important habitat for a wide array of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Among the 59 species of mammals found on OSMP lands are elk, deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes. Of special concern is the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. More than 100 species of birds have been identified on OSMP lands, including eagles, falcons, wild turkeys, and flammulated owls.

Hiking on OSMP Lands

Approximately 32,000 of the 43,000 acres included within the OSMP system are open for public use. About 8,000 acres are under conservation easement and, thus, still privately owned. Most of the remainder is closed due to hazardous conditions or to protect sensitive resources.

There are about 130 miles of designated and maintained trails providing access to the 32,000 acres of land. There are 32 designated trailheads, with parking for more than 900 vehicles. In addition, there are another 75 designated access points to reach trails.

Hiking opportunities range from steep and challenging routes in the foothills to strolls through meadows and grassland prairies. There may not be another community in the country with the variety and quality of hiking that is readily available to Boulder residents (and others). The entire trail system is open to equestrians, and about 60 miles of trail are open to mountain bikers. Dogs are allowed on most trails. For some trails, dogs must be on leash. For others, dogs may be off leash if they are under “voice and sight” control.

The OSMP web site has more details about trails and maps.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space

Citizen interest in a county-level system of open space also emerged in the 1960s. In 1968 the County Commissioners established a citizen’s group, the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC), to help develop a plan for county open space. The County Commissioners established a Parks and Open Space Department in 1975. Initial lands included in the county program were parks, dedicated to the county during subdivision processes, and Bald Mountain Scenic Area, state lands leased by the county.

The first new additions to system were the Betasso Preserve, a former ranch located west of Boulder off Sugarloaf Road, and the Walker Ranch, a 2,566 acre property on the top of Flagstaff Mountain. The 1978 Boulder County Comprehensive Plan set out the goals and policies for preserving open space. It identified areas of “proposed” open space, lands regarded as especially suitable for open space protection if so desired by their owners. Today the County owns or protects 21 parks and open space with about 89,000 acres of land. For an excellent overview of county activities.

Hiking on County Parks and Open Space

There are over 90 miles of trails open for hiking, biking, equestrian use, and other activities on park lands. For more information about park locations and trail maps or individual areas and dogs.

  
             
     

OSMP Charter

The Charter of the City of Boulder describes and mandates the purposes of land acquisition as Open Space (see excerpt below).

For the complete text of the city charter pertaining to Open Space and Mountain Parks.

Sec. 176. Open Space purposes-Open Space land. Open Space land shall be acquired, maintained, preserved, retained, and used only for the following purposes:

  • Preservation or restoration of natural areas characterized by or including terrain, geologic formations, flora, or fauna that is unusual, spectacular, historically important, scientifically valuable, or unique, or that represent outstanding or rare examples of native species;
  • Preservation of water resources in their natural or traditional state, scenic areas or vistas, wildlife habitats, or fragile ecosystems;
  • Preservation of land for passive recreation use, such as hiking, photography or nature studies, and if specifically designated, bicycling, horseback riding, or fishing;
  • Preservation of agricultural uses and land suitable for agricultural production;
  • Utilization of land for shaping the development of the city, limiting urban sprawl and disciplining growth;
  • Utilization of non-urban land for spatial definition of urban areas;
  • Utilization of land to prevent encroachment on floodplains; and
  • Preservation of land for its aesthetic or passive recreational value and its contribution to the quality of life of the community.