July 2026: Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons

July 2026: Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has acquired a 340-acre conservation easement on a working ranch near the town of Lyons. The easement permanently protects critical wildlife habitat along the St. Vrain Creek corridor and preserves agricultural land from future development while keeping the property in private ownership.

The project includes improvements along Nelson Road between Louisville and the intersection with Coal Creek Canyon Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 with completion expected within 12 months.

Transportation access remains a key concern. Boulder County’s Via mobility program provides door-to-door transit service for residents in Louisville and surrounding communities who cannot access fixed-route bus service. RTD routes B, J, and BOLT serve major corridors.

Community Impact

Affordable housing remains the top priority identified in the 2024 Community Survey. Boulder County’s Worthy Cause program has funded 894 affordable housing units since its inception, with 165 additional units in the development pipeline.

Volunteers contributed over 10,946 hours to this program last year. The Resource Conservation coordinates with 18 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

How to Participate

Colorado state law requires all counties to provide these services to eligible residents. Boulder County exceeds minimum state requirements by offering expanded hours, multilingual support, and online access. In 2024, the county received a state award for excellence in service delivery.