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Individual Properties
Backcountry Wilderness Area of Highlands Ranch »
This 8,200-acre parcel lies in the southern reaches of Highlands Ranch. It represents 37% of the 22,000 acres in Highlands Ranch. The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) and Shea Homes were joint applicants in developing a management plan.
Belfield Conservation Easement»
The 113-acre Belfield property lies in an extensive riparian area with Plum Creek running within its border and several ponds dispersed throughout the land. There is no public access permitted on this privately owned property.
Big "D" Conservation Easement »
Big "D" is a tract of land with a conservation easement on it, donated by the Perry Park Metropolitan District, who manages the land. The grassland meadow of Big "D" is in the Perry Park Subdivision. The land is open to passive recreation for Perry Park residents. Motorized use is prohibited.
Cherokee Ranch Conservation Easement »
Douglas County purchased a conservation easement on this ranch to protect the important wildlife habitat, agricultural heritage and the historic attributes of the Cherokee Ranch. The ranch previously owned by Tweet Kimball was deeded to the Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation; a private entity that owns and manages the ranch. Events are sponsored by the foundation throughout the year.
Columbine Open Space»
Columbine Open Space is the combination of two separate properties (the 590-acre Maytag property and the 171-acre Ramsour property). The property is located along East Plum Creek and includes a portion of the western flank of Hunt Mountain..
Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail
The five mile Dawson Butte Trail travels through mostly forested areas with some open meadows and views of the Front Range Mountains. The trail follows gently rolling terrain. Optional bridal paths include over 60 horse jumps.
Duncan Ranch Conservation Easement»
The privately owned Duncan ranch is valued for the wide variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, fox and numerous waterbirds along West Plum Creek. There is no public access on this property.
DuPont Open Space »
The DuPont Company donated 505 acres of their land holdings and 350 acres of conservation easement near the historic company town of Louviers. Douglas County accepted the donation of a significant riparian habitat along Plum Creek in 2002.
Gateway Mesa Open Space »
In August 1999, the Town of Castle Rock acquired Gateway Mesa, west of Castle Rock, with assistance from Douglas County, Great Outdoors Colorado and Colorado Open Lands. The 1.8-mile natural surface trail loops through Ponderosa pines, grasslands and along the rocky edge of the mesa.
Glendale Farm Open Space and Trail »
Adjacent to I-25, the 145-acre property has native chokecherry and wild plum shrubs along an dry stream bed. The 1.6- mile natural surface trail winds up through Gambel oaks and onto a grassland plain with views of Pikes Peak and the Colorado Front Range. Trail skirts rocky caprock on the northern spur. A -acre off-leash dog area is west of the main trail head.
Hidden Mesa Open Space and Trail »
The Town of Castle Rock and Douglas County Open Space preserved the land known as Hidden Mesa in a joint effort. Douglas County owns and manages the property located on the north side of Highway #86. The Hidden Mesa trail connects the mesa to the previously acquired Grange property to the east along Cherry Creek. The combined properties are now referred to as Hidden Mesa Open Space. .
Hungry Horse Open Space »
This 166-acre grassland is located four miles south of Parker along Cherry Creek and the Cherry Creek Regional Trail. The most convenient access through the property is via the North Pinery Trailhead.
Jones Ranch Conservation Easement »
The privately owned Jones Ranch is an important buffer to Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Metzler Ranch/Castlewood Canyon State Park Addition »
Castlewood Canyon State Park expanded its boundaries with the acquisition of the 167-acre Metzler Property acquired through the partnership with Douglas County Open Space, Colorado State Parks, Great Outdoors Colorado and other non-profit entities.
Nelson Ranch Open Space
Nelson Ranch Open Space is a 695-acre property located south of Roxborough State Park behind the hogback. . Nelson buffers the park and connects to this scenic landscape. The open space designation protects a variety of wildlife habitats amongst the Gambel oaks, ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, hawthorn and chokecherry bushes and narrow-leaved cottonwoods.
Norton Farm Open Space »
The Town of Parker made their first open space acquisition in 1999 with the purchase of the Norton property. This 72-acre open space is located along Cherry Creek on the west side of Parker Road at the Arapahoe County line. The property will serve as a trailhead for the Cherry Creek Regional Trail Norton Farm connects to the historic Seventeen-Mile House property to the north.
Pfeifer Open Space »
The 7-acre Pfeifer property accommodates a portion of the Cherry Creek Trail, connecting under Highway 86 near Franktown. The property is home to willow riparian habitat along Cherry Creek.
Pike Hill Open Space »
This forested, 308-acre property rises from the western side of Nelson Ranch and borders Pike National Forest. The Ringtail Trail passes through Pike Hill Open Space.
Pine Cliff Ranch Conservation Easement »
This 3,440-acre private ranch is in the West Plum Creek Valley and it is situated between the mountains and the prairie.
Prairie Canyon Ranch Open Space »
The historic Prairie Canyon Ranch is bisected by Cherry Creek and lies just south of Castlewood Canyon State Park. This working cattle ranch is open by appointment only through Douglas County Open Space.
Snortland Open Space »
Douglas County purchased the 105-acre Snortland property in July 2000. The property is adjacent to the JA Cattle Ranch and contains a portion of East Plum Creek and associated wetlands. The property is currently not open to the public.
South Willow Creek/Roxborough State Park Addition »
The South Willow Creek property is a 590-acre addition to the southeast side of Roxborough State Park. The property was purchased through the cooperation among Douglas County Open Space, Great Outdoors Colorado, and Colorado State Parks.
Spencer Conservation Easement »
The Spencer property has been used for agricultural purposes since the area was first settled around 1870. To protect the agricultural integrity of the land, the landowner placed it in a conservation easement. There is no public access to Spencer. It remains in private ownership.
Spruce Meadows Trail »
Spruce Meadows Trail winds through grassy meadows between Greenland Open Space and Spruce Mountain. The trail has been cut through undulating fields of grasses and wildflowers. Enjoy views of surrounding buttes, Pikes Peak, Spruce Mountain and the Rampart Range, as well as Carpenter Creek and thousands of acres of protected open space. The eight and an one half-mile trail includes four road crossings. Access is from Noe Road.
Spruce Mountain Open Space and Trail »
Spruce Mountain is a large, tree-covered mesa that is visible from I-25, Spruce Mountain Road, County Line Road, and Highway 105. Views from the top of the mesa are spectacular from any direction. Access the five and one half mile-loops can be accessed from Spruce Mountain Road. Horse trailers need to access from the Spruce Meadows parking lot on Noe Road.
True Mountain Conservation Easement »
At the southern end of Douglas County and I-25, True Mountain can be seen to the east. The conservation easement is located at the private Ponderosa Camp. Guided hikes occur throughout the year.
Woodlands Bowl Conservation Easement »
Woodlands Bowl is a small parcel of land located in the center of the Woodlands neighborhood and is a key part of the Castle Rock trail system.
Additional Resources
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Open Space and Protected Lands [161KB] |