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Woodland Park’s Avenger Open Space earns Colorado Lottery Starburst Award; council approves Forest Service access permit
Summary
Council members celebrated Avenger Open Space’s community-led protection and unanimously approved a Forest Service special‑use permit needed to secure access and a conservation easement, completing steps tied to a Great Outdoors Colorado grant and the property’s Starburst Award recognition.
The Woodland Park City Council applauded the community effort behind Avenger Open Space on June 4 and unanimously approved a Forest Service special‑use permit intended to secure required access and preserve the property in perpetuity.
Adrien Barney, proceeds manager for the Colorado Lottery, presented Avenger Open Space with a 2026 Starburst Award, saying the program recognizes projects that “go above and beyond” in design, community connection and long‑term impact. Barney said about 25% of Colorado Lottery proceeds fund parks, trails and open‑space projects statewide.
Jeff Webb, chair of the city’s Parks Board, described Avenger as a grassroots effort that raised roughly $90,000 in community donations and involved partners including Palmer Land Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service. Webb said the project preserves daily recreational access and creates a “legacy” protected for future generations.
City staff told the council that Great Outdoors Colorado awarded a land‑acquisition grant (reported at $523,250) and that the city purchased Avenger Open Space in April 2024 for $650,000. As a condition of the acquisition grant, the city contracted with Palmer Land Conservancy to hold a conservation easement. Council was also told the project required about 0.70 acres of Forest Service land to provide legal access and that the National Environmental Policy Act review was completed in January 2026.
Planning staff recommended approval of Forest Service special‑use permit PPK903 and asked the mayor to be authorized to execute documents and amendments, subject to final city‑attorney approval. Council moved, seconded and voted unanimously to approve the permit.
The council acknowledged Cindy Kading and parks staff for persistent follow‑up with federal partners during the project’s permitting. With the permitting vote and the Starburst recognition, officials said Avenger is positioned to remain public open space with stewardship partners in place.
Council did not attach new funding or implementation tasks to the permit approval; staff said subsequent steps will be administrative (easement execution and coordination with federal partners).
