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Public land agencies remind everyone to #recreateresponsibly this summer
With visitation to Front Range trails expected to increase over the next several weeks, a group of eight federal, state, and local Colorado land managers remind visitors to recreate responsibly on public lands. Recreating outdoors is an important way of life for all Coloradans, and public land agencies need everyone’s cooperation to help them sustain enjoyable outdoor experiences and preserve natural areas for future generations.
Please “know before you go,” plan ahead, and remember several essential responsible recreation guidelines over the summer, including:
- Enjoy and protect shared public lands
- Be courteous and inclusive
- Plan visits ahead of time and know your limits
- Don’t park illegally at full trailheads and follow all rules and regulations
- Continue to follow all public health guidance and requirements
- Stay on trail and walk through mud
The group of public land agencies who participated in this joint news release remind visitors to check individual websites for critical advisories and trail maps BEFORE planning visits to public lands.
>> Learn More
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Clear Creek Canyon Park - Gateway Segment of Peaks to Plains Trail Update
The restroom at the main trailhead of the Gateway Segment is near completion. The stone veneer has now been added, dividers and fixtures are almost completely hung, and finishing touches are being made as we approach the grand opening later this summer. The permeable pavers have been installed and most of the concrete has been poured.
>> Check out the video for all the latest updates
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What to do if you see smoke?
Park Ranger Justin Doty and Captain Randon Grimes from Foothills Fire Protection District give some tips on how to call into 911 if you see smoke. Reporting smoke accurately helps get first responders to the scene faster, protecting the land and wildlife from catastrophic fire events.
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Fire Safety Reminders
As we dive into summer, please remember these fire safety tips:
At Jeffco Open Space Parks:
- No campfires, including at campgrounds
- No charcoal grills or open flames - visitors are allowed to use liquid or gas fueled grills or camp stoves in designated camping and picnic areas only
- No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed trailhead area that is devoid of all vegetation. Visitors must safely and properly dispose of all cigarette butts.
In general and at your home:
- Keep an eye out for Red Flag warnings and limit hazardous activity on those days
- Properly dispose of cigarette butts in receptacles
- Do not burn brush or trash
- Avoid parking in dry grass
- Do not operate machinery which could cause sparks or open flames (torches, chainsaws, etc.)
- Keep trailer chains from dragging on the ground and sparking
- Create a defensible space around your home by using the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) zone concept
- Choose fire-resistant plants
- Regularly prune trees, mow grassy areas, and remove dead and dry plants that could fuel a fire
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Jeffco SLASH Helps Reduce Wildfire Danger
Reduce wildfire danger and protect your property through Jeffco SLASH: Sustainable Lands and Safer Homes. Beginning this weekend, you can drop off tree debris and other organic material at collections all summer long. Accepted material includes tree debris and limbs with a maximum length of eight feet and a maximum diameter of six inches, as well as loose pine needles, tree bark, and pine cones. The 2021 slash collection will be each weekend at various locations throughout Jefferson County from June 5 until October 31.
>>Find a collection location near you!
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Trails Volunteers Climb to New Heights
Since late February, 174 unique Trails Volunteers have put in over 1,600 hours on 44 different projects. Over 3,000 feet of unauthorized trails were restored, more than 100 native plants planted, 221 pounds of trash removed from the parks, and 21 miles of natural surface trail maintained. A huge thank you to ALL of our great volunteers!
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Parking Information
The Lot Spot app can tell you which of our 14 Lot Spot enabled trailheads have available parking, and assist with avoiding peak hours, safe and legal parking, and having a back-up plan for visiting a different park.
>>Watch the Denver 7 News video here
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Improve your Gardening Skills with Free Classes from CSU Extension
Want to learn something new to improve your home landscape? CSU is offering a series of gardening webinars for free to improve your gardening skills and the success of your landscape. Topics include “A Guided Walk Through the Perennial Trial Gardens at CSU” to “Troubleshooting Your Irrigation” to “Pickling Basics for your Summer Vegetables.” Visit the site at the link below for a complete list of the classes and registration information. Classes are free, registration required.
>>Register Now
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Pets and Wildlife: Don't Get Too Close for Comfort
We live in Colorado for a reason—the outdoors! And, just as much as we enjoy hitting the trails, parks, open spaces, and even our neighborhoods, so do our dogs. The smells, sights, and places to explore are enough to get your intrepid companion’s tail wagging faster than you can fill your water bottle! But, those same places we love to take our pups are homes to wildlife. Even a stroll around the block can bring a surprise critter encounter, and a little knowledge goes a long way.
The Dumb Friends League spoke with Visitor Services Manager, Mary Ann Bonnell, about some tips to make your outdoor experience the best and safest possible. (image by Andrew DuBois)
>>Learn more to make your outdoor experience as safe as possible
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South Valley Park Raptors
One of the many reasons why South Valley Park is STAY ON TRAIL and STAY OFF ROCKS is to protect excellent raptor nesting habitat. This year, the Natural Resources team has observed FIVE different species of raptors actively nesting in the Park including golden eagles, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, great-horned owls and the smallest falcon, the American kestrel. The hogback rock formations offer protected locations for nests and the surrounding grass/shrublands provide plenty of hunting habitat to feed young. In the photo, a male (right) and female (left) kestrel share a small mammal snack.
Photo taken from a distance by volunteer raptor monitor, Audrey Boag.
Have you taken any great photos in Jeffco Open Space parks recently? Send them to us at jeffcoparks@jeffco.us or on social media, and you could be featured in next month's Panorama!
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