Jefferson County to expand park and wildlife habitat near Red Rocks. Jefferson County Parks & Open Space acquired 347 acres of land right next to Red Rocks Amphitheater and Matthews/Winters Park near Morrison. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. - One of the most popular recreation areas along the Front Range is expanding after Jefferson County Parks & Open Space acquired hundreds of acres adjacent to Red Rocks Amphitheater and Matthews/Winters Park near Morrison. The expansion will protect rare wildlife habitat from development and increase recreation opportunities in the area, opening up new backcountry hiking trails and sweeping views toward Mt. Blue Sky, according to a Jefferson County news release. Jefferson County acquired the Braun Ranch, 347 acres of foothills landscape along the western edge of Red Rocks and Matthews/Winters Park. The county partnered with The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving at-risk conservation lands, to acquire the property and preserve it for use as open public space, protecting it from urban sprawl. "Protecting this stunning landscape adjacent to Red Rocks Amphitheater is a big win for Coloradans and visitors to our state," said Justin Spring, vice president and Colorado state director at The Conservation Fund. "The landscape protects sensitive habitat and important species while also guaranteeing that future generations can continue to experience the remarkable outdoor beauty of Colorado's Front Range." Jefferson County's open spaces are extremely popular. About 10 million people visit the open space system's 60,000 acres of parks and protected lands each year. If the system "were a national park, it would rank second in annual visitation," the county said in its release. The expansion will link existing trails at Red Rocks and Matthews/Winters Park and preserve wildlife access throughout the property's intact foothill forests. "Conserving Braun Ranch enables a vital link for our Jefferson County Parks and Open Space system," said Aaron Roth, director of Jefferson County Parks & Open Space. "The views stretching toward Mt. Blue Sky embody the inspiration that can be found from our doorstep in the Front Range, and we are proud to work alongside Denver Mountain Parks to ensure this iconic landscape around Red Rocks Amphitheatre remains protected for everyone." The landscape is nestled within existing public open space that includes portions of three potential conservation areas identified by Colorado State University's Colorado Natural Heritage Program for their biodiversity. The areas are ideal habitat for several big game species - elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion - as well as "several rare and sensitive species" like the hops azure butterfly, Preble's meadow jumping mouse, mottled duskywing bat, and fiddleleaf twinpod, according to The Conservation Fund. The property's intact foothill forests also play a critical role in buffering against wildfire and supporting healthy watershed in a region facing increased wildfire risk, The Conservation Fund said. Some funding for the project came from Great Outdoors Colorado, which invests portions of Colorado Lottery proceeds to state parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces, Jefferson County said in its release. "Hundreds of acres protected forever right in Denver's backyard is an incredible win that speaks to Colorado's unique commitment to the outdoors," said Jackie Miller, executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado. "Like the beloved destinations that surround it, Braun Ranch supports wildlife, expands access to recreation and nature for millions, and preserves that sense of awe that defines the Red Rocks landscape we Coloradans know and love. GOCO is so proud to support this work."

Community Meeting hosted by Aspen Park iMontessori in partnership with Jeffco Planning & Zoning. April 29, 2026 Conifer, CO is pleased to share its virtual "meetings" link regarding an upcoming Community Meeting hosted by Aspen Park iMontessori in partnership with Jeffco Planning & Zoning. At this meeting, Mr. Don Rosier will present on behalf of APiM its plans to build a new school facility on its existing property. As part of this process, Conifer, CO is requesting a rezoning of the property to allow for the development of a thoughtfully designed modernized facility that reflects and supports its mountain community. This facility is designed to grow alongside its students and will ultimately include programs for Infants and Toddlers (childcare), Preschool through 3rd Grade (Early Elementary), 4th through 6th Grade (Elementary), 7th through 9th Grade (Junior High), and 10th through 12th Grade (Senior High, with dual credit opportunities). Its older school aged programs will be developed in later phases, following the successful establishment of its lower-grade levels. Conifer, CO would greatly appreciate your presence at this meeting as a show of support for the continued growth and future of Aspen Park iMontessori. Its commitment to discipline, rigor, and excellence drives its vision of becoming a school of distinction, and your support plays a vital role in that journey. Thank you for being part of its community. Together, Conifer, CO is building something truly meaningful for its students and their future. Warmly, Santiago R. Grado - Executive Director/Owner Thu, Apr 30 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM FW: Aspen Park Montessori Redevelopment Community Meeting Microsoft Teams Meeting Donald Rosier - Organizer Donald Rosier, Jason Monforton & Reid Powers Microsoft Teams meeting Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/256518621624107?p=zjboGl3JjlSpMEg9LD Meeting ID: 256 518 621 624 107 Passcode: YH9NE3mC

April proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month in Jefferson County. BROOKVILLE - Recognizing the need to protect children, the Jefferson County Commissioners have proclaimed April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in the county. Cass Burkett, executive director and forensic interviewer at the Western PA Cares for Kids advocacy center in Roseville, spoke briefly about child abuse in Jefferson County at last week's meeting of the commissioners. "I am very grateful you don't have to know some of the darkness of my world," Burkett said, noting that 94 children were served at the center last year. Services included forensic interviews and medical evaluations. In the interviews, "a forensic interviewer has a conversation with a child in a way that is developmentally friendly for them," Burkett said. For medical evaluations they are taken to "a very child friendly exam room so they can feel safe. Our goals is to put children at the center of our process so they don't feel like they are being pushed to the side during one of the worst times of their life." She said a goal of the advocacy center is to raise awareness and promote child abuse prevention. "We do that by serving the children. Prevention starts with education - to teachers, community members and children. It is hard to prevent what you don't know about and our goal is to educate children in a child-friendly way." Knowing that "no single agency can meet all the needs of a child, we work with Children and Youth Services, law enforcement, victim services agencies and mental health therapists to provide the best response for children," she said. The advocacy center is nonprofit, "funded entirely by community donations and government grants," she said. "Donations help provide essential resources such as school supplies and backpacks." In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, everyone is encouraged to wear blue on Friday, April 3 and to show support for children by displaying blue pinwheels "that show the joy and whimsy of being a child." Burkett said, "Child abuse prevention is a year-long effort. Bad things exist in the dark, so we want to shine light on it. With our community support we can be a voice for our children and we want to make every month a month of protection." Other business - The commissioners appointed Sarah Gallagher of Brookville to the Jefferson County Planning Commission. Her term will expire Dec. 31. - Approved for payment were invoices in the amount of $807,196.82 and payroll in the amount of $322,237.81. - All county offices will be closed Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday. The next regular meeting of the Jefferson County commissioners will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 in the conference room at Jefferson Place. More news. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Latest e-edition. Mobile app.