Preservation Efforts

View the Douglas County Habitat Conservation Plan

The open space sales and use tax passed by voters in 1994 is dedicated to the protection of open space and for parks and cannot be used for any other purpose. Since the inception of the Open Space Program, approximately 65,000 acres have been protected through a combination of fee purchases and conservation easements, through extraordinary partnerships with Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, land trusts, private landowners and others.

The following are acquisitions in which Douglas County Open Space Sales and Use Tax was used:

Private Conservation Easements totaling 45,574 acres
Private property with land use restrictions. A land trust or government agency holds the conservation easement,70% of all lands preserved

Owned by Douglas County totaling 17,014 acres
To protect natural resources, wildlife habitat, agricultural operations, scenic views, or other unique features. May have opportunities for public access, and most are protected by conservation easements, 27% of all lands preserved

Owned by Others totaling 1,983 acres
May be State park, local municipalities or other agencies, 3% of all lands preserved

Total Preserved 64,571 acres
Total Property Costs $227,357,936
Partner Contributions $149,389,294
County Contributions$77,968,642

This represents $2.92 in partner contributions for every $1.00 of Open Space Sales and Use Tax spent.

NOTE: This chart does not include State Parks, Pike National Forest, other public land acquired by other means, or privately preserved open space.