Committee to Focus on Outdoor Opportunities and Preservation

The newly formed Parks, Trails, and Open Space Committee will begin meeting to bring together key stakeholders interested in recreation, tourism, preservation and creating more outdoor opportunities for those who live, work and play in Elbert County. 

The Committee will include a group of diverse leaders from across the County who will help shape a vision to create desirable communities, encourage healthy, active lifestyles and bring more recreation opportunities closer to home.

Members include community stakeholders from Elbert County, local incorporated towns, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, developers, school district representatives and the Elizabeth Parks and Recreation District. They will meet to:

·         Guide implementation of open space and recreation

·         Recommend funding for certain projects

·         Interact with public and private landowners

·         Collaborate with stakeholders and jurisdictions to secure grant funding

"With no public lands in Elbert County, other than State Land Board land, we need to be thoughtful and proactive in creating outdoor spaces that offer public access," said Marc Dettenrieder, Elbert County Economic Development Manager.

The Committee will meet once a quarter to build upon the vision outlined in a 1999 Elbert County Open Lands, Parks, and Trails Plan and a 2016 Elbert County Open Lands Study. The 1999 Plan focused on agriculture, wildlife, maintaining views, and recreation opportunities with short- and long-term tools and strategies for protecting lands and documenting existing inventory. This initial Plan also recommended that a trail planning committee be established.

The 2016 Study was completed in partnership with the Douglas Land Conservancy.  The focus of this study was open lands conservation with an emphasis on protecting and retaining the County's local character and culture and providing resources for land owners and land use planners.