Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — Follow-Up Report

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — Follow-Up Report

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.

For questions about this program, contact Jennifer Walsh at Community Planning & Permitting: (303) 441-8877 or email Community Planning & [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Niwot office without an appointment.

Funding of $308,000 for this initiative comes from a combination of federal grants, state matching funds, and the Boulder County General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners approved the allocation during the 2025 budget session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Historical context: Boulder County was established in 1861 and covers 741 square miles of diverse terrain from the Great Plains to the Continental Divide. The county’s population of approximately 330,000 residents is served by 2472 county employees across 47 departments and offices.

Volunteers contributed over 3,668 hours to this program last year. The Community Planning & Permitting coordinates with 11 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.

Next Steps

Environmental review of the project area near Left Hand Canyon Drive found 6 sensitive species and 3 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Community Planning & Permitting worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.