Adams County CoVid-19 Response and Recovery

Historic Splendid Valley: Preserving Farmland in Adams County and Brighton

Archive
Posted on: February 25, 2021

We are coming up on five years since the approval of the District Plan, a joint plan adopted in 2016 by Adams County and the City of Brighton focused on the south Brighton agricultural area, now called Historic Splendid Valley. This award-winning plan was put together in response to ongoing public support for preserving valuable farmland and heritage, building on policies laid out in previous land use, and open space plans spanning more than 20 years.

The many action items in the District Plan fall under one of three overarching goals:

  • Preserve agricultural land
  • Encourage local food production and consumption
  • Promote agritourism

As we approach the five-year mark of working on the plan, here is an update on progress made on the first goal, preserving farmland. Historic Splendid Valley is home to acres of land designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as prime farmland. This is land that has been farmed for decades and continues to produce vegetables, fruits, nursery crops, and other products for local consumption and distribution regionally and nationally. While farmland is being lost at alarming rates across the country, Adams County and the City of Brighton have recognized the benefits of preserving these lands locally. These benefits include access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, realizing our vision of a standalone city surrounded by open space and farmland, and tourism related to visiting some of our local farms.

Since the adoption of the District Plan, approximately 264 acres of land have been preserved with the associated water rights. That brings the total farmland preserved in Historic Splendid Valley to about 445 acres. This is made up of both acquired lands that the county or city lease to local farmers and privately owned properties protected through conservation easements. Competitive grants, including the Adams County Open Space Sales Tax program, and key partnerships have made these successes possible and have helped to ensure that our heritage and community values are reflected into the future.

To learn more about Historic Splendid Valley and the implementation of the District Plan, you can visit brightonco.gov/SplendidValley

Group Photo
Posted on: November 19, 2024

Adams County Commissioners Award More Than $12 Million in Open Space Grants

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded more than $12 million in open space grants for 21 projects thanks to the voter-approved Open Space Sales Tax. Funding for the fall 2024 grant cycle came from revenues from the first half of the 2024 Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, which was passed by Adams County voters in 1999, and in perpetuity in 2020.

Dionne Stroter
Posted on: November 5, 2024

Adams County Appoints Dionne Stroter as Deputy County Manager

Adams County is proud to announce the appointment of Dionne Stroter as Deputy County Manager. A Colorado native with over 20 years of experience in public administration, Stroter brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for equity and community engagement to her new role.

Consul Mexico Visit
Posted on: October 31, 2024

Adams County Hosts Consul General of Mexico for Collaborative Lunch Meeting with Board of County Commissioners

The Adams County Board of County Commissioners and senior leadership welcomed the appointed Consul General of Mexico in Denver, Ambassador Pavel Melendez-Cruz, at a meet-and-greet lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 29. This meeting fostered an invaluable discussion on deepening partnerships to better serve Adams County’s growing Mexican community and enhance mutual collaboration across economic, social, and cultural initiatives.

Kristin Sullivan
Posted on: October 22, 2024

Adams County Appoints Kristin Sullivan as Deputy County Manager

Adams County is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Sullivan as Deputy County Manager. Sullivan brings 20 years of experience in local government and urban planning, including 11 years of prior service with Adams County, and is set to strengthen the county’s leadership team with her extensive knowledge and expertise.

Posted on: October 14, 2024

Commissioners’ Corner: Looking Back to Move Forward

By Emma Pinter, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners

When Adams County puts together our annual community report, teams across our departments pore over a year of successes, statistics, and stories to decide what should be included. We compare each moment side-by-side with our mission and vision and evaluate our accomplishments based on what matters most—the impact they had on the lives of our county’s residents.

Posted on: October 10, 2024

Behavioral Health Employers Need More Workers—Adams County Looking to Make the Connection

What: Behavioral Health Career Fair
Where: Front Range Community College Westminster Campus, Rocky Mountain Room, 3645 W. 112th Ave., Westminster
When: Friday, Oct. 11, 4–7 p.m.

Following the recommendations of the Adams County Behavioral Health Services and Supports Assessment: A Blueprint for Action, Adams County is addressing one of the barriers to behavioral health services: a lack of workforce.

Posted on: October 3, 2024

Colorado Air and Space Port Achieves National Airport Designation

Elevated Status in FAA Classification Positions Airport for Future Growth and Funding Opportunities

Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is proud to announce its new designation as a National General Aviation Airport, the highest classification in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). This significant achievement reflects the airport's increasing activity, infrastructure, and regional importance in aviation.

David Fraser
Posted on: September 18, 2024

Adams County Appoints David Fraser as Interim County Manager

Adams County is pleased to announce the appointment of David Fraser as the Interim County Manager. Fraser, a distinguished leader with three decades of experience in local government, will guide the county through this transitional period until Spring 2025, when the Board of County Commissioners will seek a permanent replacement.