Open Space – growing and expanding

Clara Aucoin
GCN Senior Reporter

  The Open Space Program in Gilpin County is comprised of a variety of entities, each with its own responsibilities and goals. In addition to the County, the State of Colorado, the two cities of Black Hawk and Central City and the Federal Government all take part in the conservation process. At the county level, elected officials are working to make sure the effort to expand on open space is rewarded.

  The state and federal government have an obligation to preserve the habitat, unique physiological and topographic features, and passive recreation areas. Gilpin County has an obligation to help develop a guide for the use of the property and to improve on the physical characteristics. Both cities have pocket parks in planning. In Gilpin County, functions are segregated by responsibility and all are under the direction of the Open Space Foundation, a part of the Planning Commission, under the direction of Chairman Forrest Whitman.

  The National Park Recreation Association and DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments) have combined to issue a “standard” for acres to meet targets. For Gilpin County, those targets have been met and exceeded, but the county continues to work on additional open space projects. According to the National Park Recreation Association, 25 acres for every 1000 population are required, meaning 125 acres will meet the standards for Gilpin County. In fact, Gilpin County has 52,946 acres in open space. For DRCOG, the requirement is 10% of the total land area. In Gilpin, 55.5% of the total acreage is considered open space.

  As part of the open space projections, the County projects a population build-out of 15,000 total, including Black Hawk and Central City. The county anticipates 3,500 citizens for Central City and 1,500 for Black Hawk, leaving 10,000 for Gilpin County.

Geographically, the breakdown would anticipate 6,000 north of Apex Road, not including Rollinsville, and 1,500 for Rollinsville. The County anticipates a population of 6,000 for the area south of Apex Road, not including the Goltra and Young Ranches, but adds 1,500 to include the Goltra and Young ranches.

  According to Tony Petersen, Gilpin County Community Development Director, Gilpin County has 95,360 acres. 52,946 of those acres are United States and State land. Black Hawk and Central City consume another 2,399 acres, and potential annexation lands eat up another 6,026 acres. Private lands around Gilpin County consume 33,989 acres, of which 18,125 or 53.3% exists of divided lands, with 15,864 available for future use.

  Gilpin County has 3,415 existing subdivided lots, but the county anticipates another 33% reduction of some of those lots through future boundary line eliminations. Gilpin County projects a total build out of 2,288 projected households with 2.3 people per house for the county build-out. Petersen told the Commissioners and the audience, “Gilpin County has a lot of control over what will happen in the future.”

  Petersen says that Gilpin County meets or exceeds all standards for open space as measured in acres and as measured by population. Still, growth management for the purpose of rural character preservation is dependent on large lot development and visual protection.