Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons Near Louisville

Parks & Open Space Acquires 340-Acre Conservation Easement Near Lyons Near Louisville

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.

Eligible participants include Boulder County residents with household incomes at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI). For a family of four, this is approximately $87,000 per year. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Data from the 2025 Boulder County Community Survey shows that 68% of respondents rated this service as “important” or “very important.” The survey, conducted every two years, received 4,276 responses from residents across the county.

Eligibility

Funding of $478,000 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.

Safety data from the Erie area shows 22 reported incidents in the past 12 months, a 29% change from the previous year. The Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols along SH-119 Diagonal Highway and added community outreach programs in response to resident feedback.

Resources

Boulder County has partnered with the cities of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, and Louisville on this project. Combined investment across all jurisdictions totals $478,000, making it one of the largest collaborative efforts in the county’s history.

Volunteers contributed over 11,004 hours to this program last year. The Resource Conservation coordinates with 17 nonprofit partner organizations throughout Boulder County to deliver services.