Purpose:
The mission of the Adams County Open Space Program is to preserve open space, to promote responsible growth, to preserve farmland, to protect wildlife areas, wetlands, rivers and streams, and to create, improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities.
History of the Open Space Sales Tax
The Open Space Sales Tax was approved by Adams County voters in 1999 as a 1/3 of one percent sales tax authorized through 2006. In 2004, voters approved an increase to ¼ of one percent, or 25 cents on a $100 purchase, and extended the sales tax through 2026. In 2020, Adams County voters approved a resolution to reauthorize the Open Space Sales Tax in perpetuity.
Proceeds from the sales tax benefit parks, recreation, trails and open space projects countywide.
Funds are distributed in three ways:
- 2% is allocated to administration costs
- 30% is distributed back to the jurisdiction where the tax was generated
- 68% is awarded through a competitive grant program
The Open Space Advisory Board, a seven-member board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, reviews all grant applications and makes recommendations for funding to the Board of County Commissioners. The current Open Space Advisory Board Members are:
- Mark Humbert (Chair) – City of Brighton
- Mark Stickel (Vice Chair) – Federal Heights
- Rolando Melgoza- Unincorporated Adams County
- Mark Volland - Unincorporated Adams County
- George Mazzotti - Unincorporated Adams County
- Paul Orland – Unincorporated Adams County
- Jason McEldowney – City of Commerce City
30% Shareback Funding Distributed to Jurisdictions in 2023
30% Shareback Summary | |
 | |
| JURISDICTION | SHAREBACK RECEIVED 2023 |
| Arvada | $106,569.41 |
| Aurora | $1,688,087.22 |
| Bennett | $78,424.15 |
| Brighton | $844,764.43 |
| Commerce City | $1,198,842.15 |
| Federal Heights | $179,720.98 |
| Northglenn | $489,431.12 |
| Thornton | $1,910,827.88 |
| Westminster | $997,818.50 |
| Unincorporated Adams County | $2,105,693.02 |
| Total | $9,600,178.87 |
| *The 30% Shareback is the portion of the Open Space Sales Tax that is distributed back to the jurisdictions within Adams County. The pie chart illustrates how the funds were used, while the table shows the amount each jurisdiction received in 2023. | |
Open Space Sales Tax Grant Distribution (approximately 68 percent of funds)
The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision on all grant applications. From 2000 to 2024, the Open Space Sales Tax has contributed more than $292,000,000 into parks, recreation, trails, and open space projects throughout Adams County.
In the Fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024, 40 grants were funded through the competitive grant cycle. The projects will improve trail connectivity, fund open space acquisitions, construct and improve parks throughout the county, increase efficiency in water usage and conserve and protect open spaces.
Fall 2023
On December 12, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners awarded sixteen open space grant awards for a total of $8,831,417.00.
The Fall 2023 Grant Awards are as follows:
City of Thornton
Thornton Trails Renovation
This project will address unsafe and failing sections of existing concrete and asphalt trails throughout the city, add ADA accessibility to areas around the Wayfinding kiosks and ask for additional funding for one trail rehab section previously funded. Identified trail hazard sections will be removed and replaced with concrete that meets ADA requirements and redesigned kiosk areas will include ADA compliant paving for easier access.
Grant Request: $1,137,500.00
City of Aurora
Westerly Creek Greenway Improvements Phase 2
The Westerly Creek Greenway Improvements Phase II is the construction phase of a collaborative vision between the City of Aurora, Mile High Flood District, adjacent businesses, and the local community. The improvements begin at Montview Blvd and run north along the Westerly Creek Greenway, terminating just after the Stanley Marketplace near 26th Avenue. Improvements include a channel realignment that will create more usable recreation space, a new trail system that will provide trail connectivity on the Aurora side of Westerly Creek and a passive recreation area for the community. Phase II will give residents access to multiple parks, trail corridors, recreation opportunities, businesses, and residential areas.
Grant Request: $1,860,000.00
City of Northglenn
Kiwanis Pool Improvements Phase 2
Kiwanis Pool, the city's only outdoor aquatics facility, has been in operation since approximately 1960. This project aims to complete the rehabilitation of this aging outdoor aquatics facility by replacing the concrete pool deck and all of the leaking underground plumbing, modernizing the inefficient filtration system, bringing all electrical components to code, resurfacing the large pool and the toddler pool, and providing additional shade structures and site amenities for participants. The project is now fully designed and bid, but pricing is nearly double the original budget. This request is for additional funding to help cover the gap in funding.
Grant Request: $919,722.00
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District
Camenisch Park Pedestrian Bridge
Hyland Hills is seeking support to install a new pedestrian bridge, and repair an existing bridge, at the Badlands Disc Golf Courses in Federal Heights’ Camenisch Park that will improve the user experience and increase connectivity between two community parks. The two 18-hole courses are extremely popular and make up the largest disc golf course in the state; however, they need key investments to improve the courses’ safety, quality, and longevity. The pedestrian bridges would streamline the player experience, while providing a valuable foot connection between two parks in an underserved neighborhood.
Grant Request: $155,400.00
City of Northglenn
Alvin B. Thomas Memorial Park Renovation
This project includes the design and construction of significant improvements at Alvin B. Thomas Memorial Park. These improvements include the complete replacement of the playground and park amenities, new lighting, and the addition of trail connections to both the residential neighborhood and the regional trail.
Grant Request: $600,000.00
City of Commerce City
Pioneer Park Spray Ground Refurbishment
Pioneer Park is a 35-acre community park in the southern part of Commerce City. It is a very active park including four ball fields, two playgrounds, a batting cage, skate park, basketball courts, a spray ground, and Paradice Island leisure pool. Over the past 15 years, the spray ground has begun to fail and needs to be refurbished. This is the only spray ground in the city, receiving thousands of visitors a year and providing free water-based activity throughout the summer.
Grant Request: $750,000.00
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Empowering Community Lead Leadership
This project will address environmental stewardship priorities identified by primarily Latinx residents of Commerce City. Building on input from partners and collective decision-making, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers will respond to requests of this historically underrepresented community by continuing to build a diverse coalition of partners including Latinx community organization, and land management agencies. Together, we will train community leaders in ecological restoration, increase access of the Latinx community to Adams County open space, and complete 19 restoration projects on that open space. We will also engage up to 20 Latinx youth in a paid internship program. The City of Commerce City approved Wildlands Restoration Volunteers request to sponsor this request.
Grant Request: $83,968.00
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District
Carl Park Playground
The goal of this project is to renovate an aging playground in an underserved community. The area surrounding Carl Park has limited recreational opportunities, so restoring this amenity for residents is a high priority. The playground is close to a K-8 charter school, with which Hyland Hills has a long standing and positive relationship. This partnership is key to the project’s success, as we will coordinate an event for the students to select their desired playground equipment. Upgrading this playground aligns with the district’s mission of providing first-class parks that enrich and promote a healthy lifestyle while valuing equity and inclusion.
Grant Request: $120,000.00
Town of Bennett
Kiowa Creek North Open Space Trail
This project will be to construct a trailhead and parking in our newly annexed Kiowa Creek OpenSpace. The trail that will wind through this open space will be part of the trail system that begins in Arapahoe County in our Bennett Regional Park and Open Space, goes through the Arapahoe County Open Space, across I-70, through the center of Bennett and ends in the new open space. The Town is currently in design for this connecting trail. Construction will begin in Fall of 2024. Phase I of the trailhead and parking will entail sitework, hardscape components and irrigation. Phase II which is planned for 2025 will include plant material, softscape and other amenities such as shelters, benches, and a bathroom.
Grant Request: $1,166,000.00
City of Brighton
Brighton Sports Complex Dugouts and Shade Structures
The Brighton Sports Complex, built in 1998, is one of the main baseball/softball complexes in Brighton. The dugouts have deteriorated to a level where we need to replace them as they are a safety hazard. Also, the site has very limited shade currently. This project would remove and replace all eight (8) dugouts and add eight (8) metal shade structures over the bleachers for safety for patrons. Since there placement of natural grass to artificial turf we have seen more patrons and year-round activities. This will be a great addition to improving safety and shade at this complex.
Grant Request: $500,000.00
City of Thornton
Trail Winds Artificial Turf Replacement
This request will help fund the replacement of 2 artificial turf fields at Thornton Trail Winds Park & Open Space. Opened for play August 2008, the fields have outlived the standard manufacturer's 8-year warranty by 7 years! While the turf is safe for play, there are excessive wear patterns and most of the safety infill sits on top of the turf instead of inside it to hold up the fibers. The fields will be replaced with a U.V. resistant turf, an energy absorbing underlayment pad and engineered organic safety infill to bring play surface temperatures closer to natural grass surface temperatures.
Grant Request: $1,450,827.00
City of Brighton - Mini Grant
High School Beautification Tree Planting Project at Water Tower Park
The purpose of this project is to purchase trees from a local nursery for our annual high school tree planting. Every year Brighton High School participates in a “senior ditch day”. On this “ditch day” instead of engaging in potentially unsafe or dangerous activities, the students come to volunteer their time to help plant trees in a City of Brighton Park. This year we need to purchase 35 trees to have planted at Water Tower Park in Brighton, Colorado (4204 Crestone Peak Street). We need to purchase these trees and tree planting supplies to provide for the Brighton high school students to plant with the help of the City of Brighton’s Open Space team. Without the help of the Adams County mini grant, we can’t support the number of trees needed to make an impact on the overall tree requirement to increase the tree canopy at Water Tower Park.
The components of this project are to buy 35 approved trees to be planted at Water Tower Park in Brighton. The City of Brighton Open Space staff will facilitate tree planting by helping the students learn how to properly plant a tree.
Grant Request: $6,250.000
City of Northglenn - Mini Grant
Wayfinding, Walkability & Vinyl Wraps
Throughout our history, Northglenn has struggled with identity. Staff consistently receives feedback from both residents and non-residents that they didn't realize that an amenity or landmark was located within Northglenn, or get asked "Where is that again?" This project aims to help grow a sense of identity through pedestrian wayfinding by redesigning traffic signal cabinets in key locations along major trails adjacent to arterial roadways throughout the city. An artist or team of artists would be commissioned to develop a customized series of 35-40 pieces that would incorporate wayfinding and walkability messaging, as well as iconic imagery to help passerby know they are in Northglenn and assist them in finding their way along these trails associated with major arterial roadways (Huron Street, Washington Street, 104th Avenue, 112thAvenue, Malley Drive, Melody Drive and Irma Drive)that lead to desirable destinations within the community.
In addition to the commissioned art, including the associated public outreach, artist selection, development of wayfinding components and coordination of the artistic process, this project also includes the cost to digitize, print, prepare and install the completed wraps on approximately 35-40 traffic signal cabinets. The wraps would include an anti-graffiti lamination as one layer of protection against vandalism. Unlike artwork that is applied directly to a cabinet, if the wraps are damaged beyond repair, the original art is digitized and can be re-printed and re-applied in the future.
Grant Request: $25,000.00
City of Thornton
Volunteer Landscape Trailer
The City of Thornton (COT) will purchase and equip a 7’ x 16’ trailer with battery operated and common landscaping tools that will be available for use by volunteer groups and residents. As we build a more robust community engagement and volunteer program for service projects in Thornton parks and open spaces, the trailer will provide access to adequate available tools and equipment that are safe and reliable.
Grant Request: $12,500.000
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation
Xeriscape Concept Plans
Hyland Hills is seeking support to adopt Xeriscape concept plans for installation at a variety of parks and facilities sites. Hyland Hills is mindful of the ever-changing environment, including the limitation of water resources within the area. Staff are proactively seeking ways to conserve water at all District facilities and has identified a number of areas with the potential to convert landscape beds and under-utilized turf areas to low-water usage spaces.
Xeriscaping offers many benefits to a facility including water conservation, reduced maintenance costs, eliminating chemicals and lawn pest control tactics, and sustainable plants that are drought tolerant. Through this project, Hyland Hills hopes to produce 3-4 concept plans that can be plugged into a variety of landscape areas at parks and facilities. Utilizing those plans and conserving water in key areas of the district will be a high priority over the next several years.
A recently completed Carroll Butts Master Plan, which received a mini grant in the Spring of 2023, identified a number of median beds and passive turf areas as potential Xeriscape beds. This is a major component of this park's future in efforts to conserve water long-term. Once Xeriscape concept plans are complete, landscaping at Carroll Butts Park will be one of the first facilities to be converted.
Grant Request: $25,000.00
Town of Bennett
Trupp Park Rubber Surface Replacement
Due to drainage issues within the park the rubber surfacing of the western side of the playground has become damaged. The water has caused the rubber to shrink and pull away from the concrete sides of the playground creating a trip hazard. The drainage issues have been resolved with additional phase of the park therefore we are ready to repair this damage.
Spring 2024
On July 9, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners awarded sixteen open space grant awards for a total of $21,551,295.23.
The Spring 2024 Grant Awards are as follows:
Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts
Confluence Acquisition
In accordance with the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master plan, we intend to acquire four parcels of land adjacent to the confluence of Clear Creek and the South Platte River to pave the way for the development of a regional park as part of our 10-year plan. This first step of purchasing this property from Lawrence Construction Co will have the potential to move the plans for this regional park forward. Ensuring the conservation of this open space land will provide benefit to the surrounding communities and secure Adams County’s ability to carry out the plan for this park.
Grant Award: $3,500,000
Adams County Parks, Open Space, & Cultural Arts
High Line Canal Trail Underpass at Colfax Avenue
The purpose of this project is to construct an underpass to cross Colfax Avenue along the High Line Canal Trail. This project will provide safer and more efficient alternative transportation opportunities in the neighboring communities connecting to the existing transit network while avoiding crossing intersections and conflicts with vehicular traffic and offering a continuous trail path for commuting and recreation. The project will also include utility relocation and right of way (ROW) acquisition.
Grant Award: $830,000
Town of Bennett
Civic Center Park Construction Phase III
Bennett Civic Center came to life in 2010 via comprehensive planning, when the Town of Bennett identified a new central area along Highway 79 that would become the core of Bennett. Civic Center Park as identified in the Town's Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan as one of the most valuable assets for active and passive recreational amenities in the community. Phase I of Civic Center Park encompasses the veteran’s memorial, trailhead parking, community garden, and the Historical Charles Muegge House. Phase II is the construction of a regional park that will include many active amenities such as a playfield, playgrounds, and water activities. The subject of this grant is Civic Center Construction Phase III which includes additional landscaping and concrete, bathrooms, paved parking, and preparation for the second field that will be installed later.
Grant Award: $3,891,550.83
Bennett Park & Recreation District
Facelift – Phase 3
These funds will support repairs to our aquatic facility that has worn over time due to age, humidity, and chemicals.
Grant Award: $51,680
Town of Bennett
Purple Pipe Phase III
Like much of Colorado, Bennett is facing a water crisis. To mitigate this concern, the town has acquired permitting for Category 1 reuse water as allowed by the state for irrigation of open spaces and parks. Since 2019, the town has made significant progress in creating a reuse water system. This includes the lining of a decommissioned wastewater lagoon for storage, necessary pumps and pump houses to move the water through the system, and installation of a water main through the western part of town. In spring 2024, we began watering several town parks with this water. Despite this significant progress, the town needs additional storage and water mains to meet the demand of all the parks and open spaces in Adams County. The town has already expanded and re-lined a second lagoon for storage; however, it needs pumps and lines to connect it into the system. In addition, the town wants to expand the beltway to allow for additional use of the system.
Grant Award: $2,000,000
Town of Bennett
Trupp Park Electrical Upgrades
Trupp Park is currently our primary community park in Bennett. It is the location for our annual Bennett Days Celebration and the site for many outdoor sports including soccer, flag football, rugby, and kickball. This park includes a skate and bicycle playground, an ADA inclusive playground with rubber surfacing, a grandstand utilized for our summer party in the parks, and a perimeter walking trail. The focus of this grant is to make much-needed repairs to the existing electrical at the grandstand, bathrooms, and picnic pavilion. The existing electrical is insufficient and unreliable to accommodate the community events in the park each year.
Grant Award: $25,000
City of Commerce City
Paradice Island Aquatics Park Leak Repair and Re-plaster
Paradice Island Aquatics Park is a beloved facility that serves all. However, persistent leaks in the pool and water feature water lines have compromised the facility's functionality and sustainability, worsening year after year. After multiple gas pressure tests throughout the facility, the professionals have recommended an entire water line replacement project, addressing the issue as soon as possible before it causes additional challenges. Lines are located under the hard surface of the facility. Therefore, we seek funding for a comprehensive replacement project to enhance water efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and contribute to a more sustainable facility for the community.
Grant Award: $1,000,000
City of Commerce City
Ragweed Draw Open Space and River Run Park Improvements
Ragweed Draw Open Space and River Run Park are integral parts of the community. Ragweed Draw serves drainage purposes, but this 45-acre open space also has a soft surface trail, native grasses and shrubs, and a ball field at the north end. River Run Park is just under 14 acres and is adjacent to Thimmig Elementary. Park amenities include a playground, ball field, open grassy area, shelter, perimeter path, restroom, and sand volleyball court. The proposed project includes a new irrigation system for the River Run Park ball field and two areas in Ragweed Draw, as well as a new playground at River Run Park. The new playground will have a poured in place rubber surface and inclusive elements that will exceed ADA accessibility requirements.
Grant Award: $500,000
City of Commerce City
Pioneer Park Scoreboard Replacement
The project's primary objective is to upgrade and modernize the four baseball field scoreboards at Pioneer Park, aiming to improve the overall experience for players, coaches, spectators, and the community. Pioneer Park is a very active, high-use park that receives tens of thousands of visitors annually. The park is 37 acres and is located in the southern area of Commerce City, surrounded by several residential areas. The park is inclusive and has various amenities, including four baseball fields, a batting cage complex, a skate park, basketball courts, an aquatics park, a splash pad, community shelters with picnic areas, and grass gathering areas for community or individual use. The need for replacement stems from various factors, including outdated technology, maintenance challenges, and the desire to enhance user experience. These upgrades aim to engage fans and increase user experience, reflecting our commitment to quality sports facilities and community pride at Pioneer Park.
Grant Award: $25,000
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District
Camenisch Park Master Plan
Hyland Hills is seeking support to develop a Master Plan that will assess and connect multiple adjoining properties within a 150-acre complex, which includes Carstens Park, Camenisch Park, the Badlands Disc Golf Courses, and the Hyland Hills Sports Complex in the City of Federal Heights. The plan will utilize results from a 2020 District Master Plan, a 2023 Strategic Plan, and additional input from residents to transform this area into a fun, safe, and walkable destination that includes connector trails, upgraded ADA-compliant amenities, improvements to the existing disc golf courses, shade shelters, and water-saving turf conversions.
Grant Award: $108,433.80
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District
Sports Complex Phase II
Hyland Hills is seeking support for the continuation of the Sports Complex Phase II project, of which Phase I was previously funded through Adams County Open Space. Phase I included the successful conversion of three ball fields to artificial turf and the construction of a new water quality pond. Phase II includes parking expansion; ADA upgrades to walkways; the addition of 27 trees and four new shade structures; additional water conservation tactics including upgraded irrigation systems and water-wise landscaping; and the redesign and relocation of the playground to be safer and ADA accessible.
Grant Award: $2,700,000
Hyland Hills Parks and Recreation District
Clear Creek Valley Bike Park
Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District is seeking additional support to design and construct a bike park within the 80-acre Clear Creek Valley Park. The original plans for Clear Creek Valley Park included a bike park, which would feature amenities for all users regardless of age or abilities. This location at Clear Creek Valley Park is ideal due to its proximity to the main parking lot and the Clear Creek Trail system. In providing improved opportunities for outdoor recreation, this project aligns with the district’s 2020 Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the City of Arvada Parks Master Plan. Hyland Hills was awarded a mini grant in Spring 2023 to support the development of a concept plan for the bike park. The concept plan has been developed in collaboration with the City of Arvada and bike-specific stakeholders, and includes a pump track, kids’ skills course, flow trails, and bike jumps. However, because a portion of the bike park is in a floodplain, additional design and permitting work is required per Adams County. An engineering firm must be hired to manage the additional requirements including an erosion control plan and floodplain use permit. This mini-grant application is to help pay for the additional design work needed to complete this portion of the project. The goal is to finalize construction documents and bid the project later this year for construction in 2025.
Grant Award: $24,745
City of Northglenn
Audio, Lighting, and Video – Safety Enhancements
This project includes the design and construction of additional lighting, video surveillance, and an emergency alert system for E.B. Rains, Jr. Memorial Park, and the Civic Center Campus, incorporating Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to deter criminal activity, convey critical information during emergencies, and foster a safe environment for park visitors.
Grant Award: $385,000
City of Northglenn
Greenway Trails Project
This project consists of replacing old, cracked, and dilapidated concrete trails with new concrete along approximately 3,000 linear feet of the Greenway Trail. Concrete trails offer advantages such as durability, low maintenance, accessibility, safety, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. By upgrading the concrete, the project aims to enhance the longevity, usability, and overall quality of the trail system, providing residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation opportunities while minimizing environmental impact and maintenance costs.
Grant Award: $233,000
City of Northglenn
Northglenn’s First EV Mower
This request is for the purchase of one electric mower replacing one gas-powered mower. The gas mower in operation is over a decade old and is scheduled for replacement this year. The city has budgeted funds to replace the old mower, but this grant would allow the city the opportunity to upgrade it with a new electric powered mower. Electric mowers are more costly than gas mowers, though they come with significant environment and operational benefits.
This project aims to start the transition of the city's gas-powered lawn equipment to electric. Transitioning to electric lawn mowers for our parks is a prudent investment that aligns with our values of environmental stewardship and responsible management. By embracing this change, we can create cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable parks for the enjoyment of all. Electric mowers not only offer a sustainable alternative to gas-powered equipment but also contribute to a healthier environment for both our communities and future generations.
Our plan is to purchase this electric powered mower to jumpstart our park maintenance fleet into the 21st century. Overall, EV mowers play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing the quality of life in communities. These improvements will be a catalyst to moving our parks maintenance division toward electrification and aligns with the cities and state’s sustainability goals. Their importance will continue to grow as we strive to address the challenges of climate change and transition to a more sustainable and equitable society.
Grant Award: $25,000
City of Thornton
Thornton Grounds of Inclusion: Cherrywood and Margaret Carpenter Parks
Thornton Parks, Recreation, & Community Programs requests $2,000,005 to make significant capital improvements to two of its largest public playgrounds to better serve individuals with disabilities and their families, friends, and caregivers. Improvements to Cherrywood - adjacent to Prairie Hills Elementary (4th ward) - and Margaret Carpenter – co-located with the Recreation Center and regional park (second ward), will advance the city's comprehensive plan vision to ensure city amenities and recreation programs are inclusive of all ages and abilities. This will allow the city to offer multiple specialized recreation spaces across the city that meet a higher standard of inclusion for users with diverse behavioral/emotional, sensory, physical, and developmental experiences.
Grant Award: $2,000,005
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory DBA Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Environmental Education: Providing Opportunities for Everyone
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies has provided environmental education programming to Adams County residents and visitors for over 35 years. Our hands-on, experiential, and nature-based programming is developed for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Birds go beyond borders, cultures, ideologies, and languages to connect us to nature and each other. Support of our organization will ensure the continued delivery of universally accessible, high-quality, environmental education programs delivered by experienced staff and trained volunteers. Together, we will create opportunities for everyone to connect with the world around us and develop environmental literacy to protect it.
Grant Award: $739,863
High Line Canal Conservancy
High Line Canal Natural Resources Management Plan
Now over 140 years old, the High Line Canal’s ecosystem is in a time of transition as Denver Water reduces its reliance on the canal for irrigation delivery and local agencies manage the corridor more actively as a recreational trail and ecological corridor. This project will create a comprehensive Natural Resources Management Plan for the canal that establishes a sustainable vision for the canal’s future landscape and identifies natural resource maintenance, restoration, and enhancement strategies to help the jurisdictions along the canal collaboratively steward the corridor into a more resilient future.
Grant Award: $43,000
The STEAD School
Founders Field
The STEAD School (STEAD), which stands for science, technology, environment, agriculture, and systems design, is a next-generation agriculturally focused public high school located on a 10-acre site in Reunion, a master-planned Commerce City community. STEAD respectfully requests to build a 130’ x 230’ natural grass play field at the northeast end of campus. STEAD began operations in August 2021 and is fundraising for the final campus assets. STEAD’s ability to have its own play field allows for onsite support of the school’s physical education programs, athletic practices, and broader community, while also supporting the school’s “learning made real” plant science pathway.
Grant Award: $550,000
City of Thornton
Thornton Community Center Design
This project will provide the design and construction documents for a new 40,000 square-foot community center located at 2211 Eppinger Blvd. in Thornton. The new community center will offer a gymnasium, dance studios, boxing gym, teen space, community makerspace, weight room, classrooms, meeting rooms, city-operated daycare facility, coffee lounge, common areas, shared spaces available for rentals, an Anythink Library, meditation gardens, amphitheater, a new pre-school aged playground, bicycle/skateboard repair stations, native plantings, Smart Irrigation technology, increased ADA access, and improved parking.
Grant Award: 1,744,521
City of Thornton
Electrified Handheld Grounds Maintenance Equipment
This grant request will help fund the purchase of battery-operated grounds maintenance equipment such as handheld string trimmers, blowers, their batteries, and charging hubs. State Regulation 29 was adopted by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on Feb. 6 and specifically prohibits the municipal use of gas-powered small engine equipment (25 horsepower or less) during summertime ozone season, June-August. Thornton has begun to replace its gas-powered equipment with battery operated options.
Grant Award: $25,000
City of Westminster
Barber Property Acquisition
The 4-acre Barber property is located at 11761 Federal Blvd. in Adams County. This parcel has a dramatic view of the Front Range and the Continental Divide and overlooks the city’s Big Dry Creek corridor. Future trail connections to the Big Dry Creek Trail could be built, providing excellent recreational opportunities and outstanding views. This is the last remaining undeveloped parcel in this area of Big Dry Creek. It will provide an additional open space buffer and expands the protection of this critical area.
Grant Award: $1,100,294.60
Colorado Front Range National Wildlife
Invasive Species Control at Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR
In partnership with regional fire crews, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge completed prescribed burns in several units earlier this month in accordance with its habitat management and prescribed burn plans. Best management practices show that when combined with prescribed burns, herbicide use can significantly control invasive species. This project will support the cost of herbicides for application on roughly 550 acres of existing and future burn units over the next two years which have been prioritized by the severity of the invasive species within the Refuge. Additionally, treatment will be used along Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR's 20 miles of trails - including several accessible trails - to improve recreational opportunities for the roughly one million visitors who come through our doors.
Grant Award: $24,202
Strasburg Park and Recreation District
North Baseball Field Improvements 2024
The North Baseball Field is the only regulation-sized baseball field in Strasburg. The facility was constructed with funding from Adams County Open Space in 2002. It is centrally located, across the street from Hemphill Middle School and the Strasburg Recreation Center. The field is a shared resource for many teams, including Strasburg High School baseball teams, youth baseball teams, and adult slow pitch leagues.
With many teams using the field, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of spectators who enjoy the field each season as well. The field is used for much more than just baseball. Youth football and soccer teams use the wide-open outfield grass for practice in the fall. We also host outdoor movies at the facility all summer long. This project will include a new scoreboard for the baseball field and the addition of an artificial turf mound.
The purpose of the improvements at North Baseball Field is to replace the obsolete scoreboard and provide a more consistent, durable, lower-maintenance pitching mound. The project components include purchase and installation of a new scoreboard, demolition of the existing pitching mound, and purchase of a portable, artificial turf mound. There is a need to make these improvements at North Baseball Field because the facility is highly used nearly all year long, beginning in February with high school practice and continuing through October with football practice in the outfield. The facility is important to our community and these improvements will enhance the spectator’s and player’s experience, and the mound will significantly decrease maintenance responsibilities for the district.
Grant Award: $25,000
From the Policies and Procedures
Annual Report: An annual report describing projects funded with the open space funds will be made available to the residents of Adams County annually. The county will compile information based upon reporting they receive from each jurisdiction describing how 30% Share back funds were used. The county will also compile a list of projects funded in the past year, including a brief description of each project and the amount of funding awarded).
