Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — Niwot Area

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons — Niwot Area

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 Niwot Road between Lyons and the intersection with Niwot Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026 with completion expected within 7 months.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $90,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

What You Need to Know

Environmental review of the project area near Niwot Road found 3 sensitive species and 2 wetland areas requiring mitigation. The Parks & Open Space worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to develop a habitat conservation plan.

For questions about this program, contact Emily Chen at Parks & Open Space: (303) 441-2842 or email Parks & Open [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in services are available at the Lyons office without an appointment.

Related Programs

Water quality monitoring at 17 stations along Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and Left Hand Creek showed all parameters within acceptable ranges for 2025. The Parks & Open Space publishes quarterly water quality reports on the Boulder County website.