Open Space

	Links:
	Open Space Maps
	Featured Open Space Properties
	Rules and Regulations
	Open Space Advisory Council (OSAC)
	OSAC Meeting Agenda
	Open Space Acquistions (pdf)
	Open Space Selection Criteria

The Summit County Open Space and Trails Department administers Summit County Government’s open space protection program. This program is funded through property tax mill levies approved by County voters in 1993, 1999, 2003, and 2008. To date the program has protected over 14,000 acres of open space through land acquisitions, conservation easement donations, access easements, and partnerships with other agencies.

Protecting open space is a cooperative effort with willing landowners. With all open space acquisitions, Summit County works with landowners to determine fair market value for the property. This guarantees public funds are being used efficiently while fairly compensating landowners for their property.

One of the open space program’s goals is to leverage limited open space fund dollars in order to protect the greatest amount of open space possible. To date every dollar spent by Summit County on open space purchases has been leveraged by nearly $4.00 from other sources. These sources include joint acquisitions and partnerships with towns, grants from Great Outdoors Colorado, land exchanges with the federal government, and donations from private landowners.

Properties acquired by Summit County as open space are managed to protect their natural resource values while allowing for sustainable access and use.

The Summit County Open Space Advisory Council provides oversight to the program and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on open space purchases and management plans.