Patron Experience Associate - Belmar Library

Free Golden-to-Morrison shuttle launches on May 23. Jeffco celebrating Westracks' launch with giveaways, activities at shuttle stops. * corinne westeman, [email protected] * May 12, 2026 updated May 13, 2026. After years of planning, starting May 23, Jeffco residents will have a new way to reach their favorite parks and museums. Jefferson County and its partners are launching the free Westracks shuttle that will convey people between the RTD station at the Jefferson County Government Center and various parks and museums in the Golden and Morrison areas. The free shuttle will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends and holidays this summer, starting May 23 and running through Labor Day on Sept. 7. No tickets or reservations are required. The Westracks shuttles are wheelchair accessible, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed. Bicycles are also allowed, but the shuttle only has space for two bikes, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttles will arrive every 15 minutes at each of the six stops. They are, from north to south: Officials have clarified that, while there will be a stop at Red Rocks Park, the shuttle will not run during evening hours this summer; people can't use the Westracks shuttle to get back from a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Jeffco Open Space recently confirmed it'll be celebrating the shuttle launch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 23 at any Westracks stop. There will be giveaways, food, music, scavenger hunts and other activities. The opening also coincides with Dinosaur Ridge's new Deep Time Detour at the Discovery Center. The museum was scheduled to host a ribbon-cutting with local chambers of commerce on May 18. (Editor's note: Check TheGoldenTranscript.com or the May 28 print edition for more coverage on the new exhibit.) Solving the parking problem. The Westracks shuttle has been in development for years, and the county hosted a Sept. 20 demonstration event for local officials and members of the media. Westracks will operate for the next three summers, costing $1.05 million total, officials have previously stated. Eighty percent of that is covered by an RTD grant, while Jeffco and its partners are paying various amounts to cover the 20% match. Jeffco Commissioner Andy Kerr and other officials have explained how millions of people visit the Morrison area every year, with Red Rocks alone drawing more than 3 million annually. And summertime is the area's busiest season. Thus, six entities came together to offer a free shuttle service to help alleviate traffic and parking congestion. They are RTD, the City and County of Denver, Jefferson County, the Town of Morrison, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and GreenLatinos Colorado. The partners have contracted with facilities management company Aramark to operate it this summer, Jeffco confirmed in a May 8 press release. Officials said that, based on data, feedback and demand in 2026, the routes and schedules could be altered in 2027 or 2028. "This project is about more than just transportation - it's about making our incredible natural resources accessible to everyone, reducing traffic and emissions, and supporting local economies," Kerr said in the press release. "We're proud of the collaborative work that brought us here and thrilled to begin service." Additionally, the Jeffco Government Center is also a stop for the free Golden-area Ore Cart shuttle, which is a collaboration between the City of Golden and Colorado School of Mines. It has multiple routes and stops across the city, including downtown Golden and the Mines campus. Thus, between the RTD system, and the Ore Cart and Westracks shuttles, people across the Denver, Golden and Morrison areas will be able to access the others for little to no cost. "Access to our region's most iconic landscapes shouldn't depend on owning a vehicle or winning a battle for parking," JCOS Director Aaron Roth said in the press release. "I'm excited that the Westracks shuttle makes our parks available to all without traffic jams."

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