By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
Commissioners allocate $450,000 in funding for trailhead improvements that will connect residents to recreation, history, and open space
Posted on January 16, 2026 2026News and Events
You know that in Douglas County, we are committed to continuously improving and protecting our open spaces.
At a Business Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to allocate funding to the High Line Canal Conservancy (HLCC) for improvements to the Origins Trailhead.
The County will contribute $450,000 toward the project from the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources and Open Space fund, with HLCC providing an additional $150,000 in matching funds.
“This trailhead may be small in size, but it connects people to something much bigger,” said Commissioner and HLCC Board member Kevin Van Winkle. “The Highline Canal is a historic landmark and a vital recreation corridor, and this project helps ensure it’s safer, more accessible, and better recognized for what it truly is.”
The Origins Trailhead project was presented to both the Douglas County Open Space Advisory Committee and the Parks Advisory Committee, who both provided input to the Board of County Commissioners. The trailhead will be located in the northwestern portion of the County along Waterton Road, just east of the County boundary.
Project improvements include resurfacing the parking lot and trailhead, installing a portable restroom, improving connections to the Highline Canal Trail, and adding two shaded “pause places” along the trail. These pause areas will feature seating and interpretive signage highlighting the history of the Highline Canal, its role in water delivery in the West, and its ecological and recreational importance to Douglas County.
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