Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — August 2024

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — August 2024

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.

Residents in the Boulder area should note that service boundaries may differ from city limits. For properties in unincorporated Boulder County, contact Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience at (303) 441-1999 to verify eligibility and requirements.

The Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience processed over 2,266 applications last year, with an average processing time of 9 business days. Staff are available at the Boulder office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Next Steps

Data from the 2026 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 46% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,128 responses from residents across the county.

The program is modeled after similar successful initiatives in Larimer County and Jefferson County. Boulder County’s version includes additional provisions for wildfire mitigation, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.