OSC 2004 Annual Report

1. A trail system for the Elmgreen property has been scoped. Work is progressing on
access from I-70 at top of Floyd Hill.

2. The Beaverbrook Watershed property has 1853 acres remaining at a cost of $7.66
million, which does not look likely to be funded by the Federal Government. In lieu
of no immediate source of purchase money, OSC has applied for a GOCO grant for
the bulk of this money and pledged our bonding authority to cover GOCO’s
requirement for matching funds. Concurrently, we are pursuing efforts to find other
sources for the GOCO match.

3. The Sheepkeep, or strip of ex-BLM land from Empire Junction to Fall River Road
north of I-70, is under consideration for managing on a joint management basis
between OSC and CDOW. Although management using standard considerations is
impossible because of the fragmented nature of the County ownership and lack of
hundreds of corners and property lines, because of the importance of the sheep herd,
we feel an attempt must be made to do the best we can.

4. A baseline evaluation has been completed on the Snyder Mountain parcel.

5. The OSC recognizes the historical aspect of the grazing issue and common cause has
been forged with the adjacent landowner and the Mill Creek Historical Society to
have both grazing and historical preservation on the Arrastra site on Mill Creek.
Archeological evaluation has commenced with the financial help of a grant from the
Colorado Historical Society.

6. The Geneva Creek iron fen designation as a State Natural Area has been completed.
In conjunction with the Forest Service, we are getting those roads with direct access
to the fen areas closed off to motorized vehicles. Some evaluation of the delicate and
unusual biota has been accomplished, but more extensive work will take place in the
future. Efforts have been made to purchase some remaining properties in the basin.
Members of the OSC made a trip earlier this year with concrete, tools and manpower,
and laid the ground work for one of the gates that have been approved by the South
Platte ranger district.

7. Clear Creek County Open Space, with the help of other members of the community,
selected THK Associates, Inc. as the planning consultants for the Clear Creek County
Greenway Plan. A Community Technical Team (CTT) has been formed to handle the
 multitude of issues associated with the Greenway concept. The Greenway is bigger
than the Clear Creek County OSC and the CTT brings key individuals and groups
into the planning and implementation process. The Clear Creek Greenway is being
marketed as the “The Clear Link”.

Clear Creek County Open Space has also raised an additional $13,200 to put towards
the match for the GOCO grant supporting the greenway plan.

The National Park Service finished its preferred trail alignment in Clear Creek
Canyon. A well attended Greenway Open House was held to showcase the alignment
and kick off the complete greenway planning project for which the GOCO grant was
acquired. THK was also on hand for the event. OSC is now working with the
National Park Service to develop a greenway brochure.

8. Site plans for the Lawson water Park have been completed. The serious issue of
CDOT control of the Creek at the site has been discussed, and is proceeding
favorably.

9. A website for the OSC has been developed. It is linked through the County’s website
and displays many of the current OSC projects and priorities.

10. Misc issues and parcels

a. We completed purchase on the Anna Claim in the Silverdale area and intend to
transfer management to the City of Georgetown.
b. We got our first batch of signs for marking CCCOSC properties.
c. Efforts continue on getting mountain basin private properties into open space.
d. Three former BLM sites known as Alps Mountain, Saxon Mountain and the
Oakley property have been transferred to OSC management.
e. OSC participated in the Evergreen Earth Day with a booth and information
regarding the Greenway.
f. Members of the OSC attended the Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA)
Annual Conference.
g. OSC members participated in the Mile Hi Jeep Club annual event by hosting a
vendor table with the USFS, and passing out destination brochures for the Geneva
Basin and Trail plan.
h. One member participated in a grant writing workshop and another in a trail design
workshop.