 Contact Us • Site Map • Search Become a Jeffco EDC Investor Today! |
Recreation
The Jefferson County Open Space program, established by a vote of the people in 1972, is one of the most renowned and ambitious in the country. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the county's uniqueness–striking mountain vistas, rolling plains, fish-filled streams, and abundant wildlife–for future generations of Jefferson County citizens to enjoy. Since 1972, over $211 million has been spent to acquire land and facilities. To date, the program has preserved over 51,000 acres of scenic land, hiking, biking, and riding trails, and wildlife habitats in urban and rural areas of the County. There are a total of 30 open space parks/facilities, 196.8 miles of trails. Open space lands include unique, abundant wildlife habitats, streams, lakes, historic areas, trail corridors, parks, and recreation facilities. The Open Space Department has just moved into Phases 2 and 3 of its $160 million plan authorized by voters in 1998 to preserve more land in the County for open space. Over $20 million has been allocated for the Trails 2000 program to aquire and develop 100 miles of trail and trail connectors. Maps showing open space locations in Jefferson County Jefferson County Open Space 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100 Golden, CO 80401 303-271-5925 Camping Jefferson County Open Space offers semi-primitive camping opportunities at two locations, White Ranch Park, northwest of Golden, and Reynolds Park, southeast of Conifer. Both locations offer the solitude of mountain camping with the convenience of being close to the metro area.  More information on camping in Jefferson County Golf Courses There are over 20 public and private golf courses located throughout Jefferson County. With our temperate climate and extremely mild winters, golfing is a year-round sport in Colorado. Hang Gliding/Paragliding The truly adventurous take advantage of Golden's Lookout Mountain for hang gliding and paragliding activities. Hiking Colorado is a mecca for adventurous climbers who seek some of the highest of all U.S. mountain peaks. Colorado has 54 "Fourteeners" (mountain peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) - six of which can be easily reached from Jefferson County. They are:
Kayaking The only championship-caliber kayak course in metro Denver, the Clear Creek Kayak Course is extremely popular, attracting hundreds of sports enthusiasts wanting to test the wild rapids of Clear Creek in Golden. Established kayak companies in the area rent equipment and provide classes. The course has attracted the Eddie Bauer Kayak International as well as youths training for the U.S. Junior Olympics. Mountaineering The American Alpine Center is home to the American Alpine Club, which moved its headquarters from New York City to Golden in 1993, and the Colorado Mountain Club. The Center has the largest mountaineering library in the western hemisphere, a 350-seat auditorium, and features including a mountaineering museum, climbing wall, and conference facilities. The Center encourages the preservation of mountain environments while cultivating interest in mountaineering. American Mountaineering Center 710 10th Street Golden, CO 80401 303-279-3080 ext. 102 Mountain Biking  Excellent mountain biking trails can be found in many of Jefferson County's Open Space parks. In addition, some of the ski resorts in Colorado offer mountain biking opportunities during the summer. More information and downloadable maps can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management, or the U.S. Forest Service.Nature Center The Nature Center's mission is to create awareness, understanding and conservation of Jefferson County's natural systems through free, year-round public programs and exhibits. The 110-acre park's trails wind through towering ponderosa pines and mountain meadows. The Center also serves as a wildlife habitat. Lookout Mountain Nature Center 910 Colorow Road Golden, CO 80401 303-526-0594 Parks There are 29 open space parks/properties in the County. The parks have a variety of features, including picnic shelters/pavilions, wildlife viewing, fishing, swimming, walking paths/trails, cross-country skiing, playgrounds, historical points of interest, handicap facilities, and ball fields. Detailed listing of parks and their amenities Skiing/Snowboarding  Colorado has some of the most beautiful and popular ski resorts in the world–and Jefferson County offers convenient access to nearly all of them. The nearest ski resort is only 25 minutes away. Some of the ski resorts that can be easily accessed from Jefferson County are:
Spectator Sports/Metro Denver Baseball - Colorado Rockies Football - Denver Broncos - 1999 & 1998 Super Bowl Champions Hockey - Colorado Avalanche - 2001 & 1996 Stanley Cup Champions Basketball - Denver Nuggets Soccer - Colorado Rapids Lacrosse - Colorado Mammoth |
||||||||||||||||||||||
