Board adopts Jefferson County Conservation Greenprint to guide five‑year parks and open‑space priorities

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 4 to adopt the county’s Conservation Greenprint, a five‑year strategic plan from Jeffco Parks & Open Space that sets priorities for land preservation, habitat stewardship, trail access and community engagement.

Senior planners Elizabeth Stoner and Christina Duff presented the plan, describing a multi‑year public‑engagement effort that included a statistically valid resident survey, five open houses and iterative online feedback. The greenprint identifies five broad initiatives—engage, learn and lead; steward ecosystem health; preserve land; enhance nature‑based experiences; and manage park assets—and roughly 30 staff‑recommended actions for the next five years.

Director Tom Hobie told commissioners the plan is grounded in county feedback and will be funded in part by the county’s half‑cent open‑space sales tax; he highlighted partnerships with cities, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service and nonprofit groups such as Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and the Open Space Foundation. Hobie said the plan includes an attached five‑year financial plan to prioritize investments and retains staff flexibility to update action plans biannually.

Commissioners asked about strategies to improve equitable access, and presenters described language translations, expanded volunteer programs, adaptive recreation equipment, accessible trail design and pilot alternative‑transportation programs (including a West Tracks shuttle pilot with RTD and partner entities). The board approved item 8.1 and the attached action plans during the meeting.