Embedded Files
Open Space and Mountain Parks Department
Open Space and Mountain Parks Department
City of Boulder, Colorado
City of Boulder, Colorado
Summary Statement of Conservation Objectives
Summary Statement of Conservation Objectives
Mission: The City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks Department preserves and protects the natural environment and land resources that characterize Boulder. We foster appreciation and use that sustain the natural values of the land for current and future generations.
Mission: The City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks Department preserves and protects the natural environment and land resources that characterize Boulder. We foster appreciation and use that sustain the natural values of the land for current and future generations.
City Charter: Open space land shall be acquired, maintained, preserved, retained, and used only for the following purposes:
City Charter: Open space land shall be acquired, maintained, preserved, retained, and used only for the following purposes:
(a) Preservation or restoration of natural areas characterized by or including terrain, geologic formations, flora, or fauna that are unusual, spectacular, historically important, scientifically valuable, or unique, or that represent outstanding or rare examples of native species;
(a) Preservation or restoration of natural areas characterized by or including terrain, geologic formations, flora, or fauna that are unusual, spectacular, historically important, scientifically valuable, or unique, or that represent outstanding or rare examples of native species;
(b) Preservation of water resources in their natural or traditional state, scenic areas or vistas, wildlife habitats, or fragile ecosystems;
(b) Preservation of water resources in their natural or traditional state, scenic areas or vistas, wildlife habitats, or fragile ecosystems;
(c) Preservation of land for passive recreational use, such as hiking, photography or nature studies, and, if specifically designated, bicycling, horseback riding, or fishing;
(c) Preservation of land for passive recreational use, such as hiking, photography or nature studies, and, if specifically designated, bicycling, horseback riding, or fishing;
(d) Preservation of agricultural uses and land suitable for agricultural production;
(d) Preservation of agricultural uses and land suitable for agricultural production;
(e) Utilization of land for shaping the development of the city, limiting urban sprawl, and disciplining growth;
(e) Utilization of land for shaping the development of the city, limiting urban sprawl, and disciplining growth;
(f) Utilization of non-urban land for spatial definition of urban areas;
(f) Utilization of non-urban land for spatial definition of urban areas;
(g) Utilization of land to prevent encroachment on floodplains; and
(g) Utilization of land to prevent encroachment on floodplains; and
(h) Preservation of land for its aesthetic or passive recreational value and its contribution to the quality of life of the community.
(h) Preservation of land for its aesthetic or passive recreational value and its contribution to the quality of life of the community.
Open space land may not be improved after acquisition unless such improvements are necessary to protect or maintain the land or to provide for passive recreational, open agricultural, or wildlife habitat use of the land.
Open space land may not be improved after acquisition unless such improvements are necessary to protect or maintain the land or to provide for passive recreational, open agricultural, or wildlife habitat use of the land.
Driver(s) of Conservation Efforts
Driver(s) of Conservation Efforts
The drive for OSMP acquisition and management has always come from the citizens of Boulder. They have repeatedly voted for sales tax funding to support the department and support the work done by the department.
The drive for OSMP acquisition and management has always come from the citizens of Boulder. They have repeatedly voted for sales tax funding to support the department and support the work done by the department.
Basic Statistics
Basic Statistics
Land area of region
Size of total mapped area : 223,100 acres (348 mi2)
Size of OSMP land: 45,000 acres (70.3 mi2)
Population
City of Boulder population = 104,000
Boulder County = 322,000
Nearby Denver Metro Area = 3+ million
Number of counties: 2 -Eastern portion of Boulder County + one property in Jefferson County
Number of cities: 1 - Boulder, but adjacent to number of other cities
Proportion of privately owned v publicly owned land in the region
Boulder County = ~62% public land
Amount (area) of land protected to date
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks = 45,000
Boulder County Parks and Open Space = 100,000
Goal for amount (area) of protected land
As much as possible- acquisitions are slowing down as area continues to be developed
Key Readings
Key Readings
Boulder North Trail Study Area (see particularly inventory report and appendices associated with inventory report)
Boulder West Trail Study Area (see particularly inventory report-natural resources)
Image Credits
Image Credits
Chautauqua Park, Boulder - Jan Thompson; Joder Ranch - George Hess
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