Enjoy | Protect: A Year in Stewarding Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Using the best available science, we protect healthy ecosystems and mend those we have impaired.

The Great Plains and Southern Rocky Mountains merge dramatically in Boulder, creating iconic rock formations, unmatched scenic beauty and high biodiversity. This natural heritage is a powerful and enduring reflection of Boulder’s values. Together with the community, the City of Boulder works to protect, sustain and restore plant and wildlife habitats, fragile ecosystems and water resources.

Key Facts

• Two of the major ecosystems OSMP conserves are grasslands and forests. Boulder foothills and forests also support a wide range of wildlife and plant species while our grassland ecosystems help to support rare and globally imperiled grassland communities.
• OSMP lands support 741 native plant species, 303 native bird species, 138 native butterfly species, 61 native mammal species, 21 native reptile and amphibian species and 18 native fish species.

Priority Stewardship Strategies

We have prioritized three "Ecosystem Health and Resilience" strategies in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan:

• Preserve and restore essential habitat blocks and corridors.
• Update and continue implementing system plans guiding ecosystem management.
• Address the global climate crisis here and now.

Stay Informed

Learn more about OSMP's seasonal wildlife closures and view a map of current closures by visiting OSMP's main closure webpage. View a map of seasonal wildlife closures. Receive our Field Notes e-newsletter.

• Wildfire Resilience Work. OSMP continued long-term wildfire risk reduction efforts that mimic fire’s beneficial natural processes, which help to sustain healthy ecosystems and reduce the likelihood of extreme fires. That work includes forest thinning, prescribed burning and invasive weed removal. The department is also enhancing targeted, prescriptive grazing, which is important in reducing vegetation that can fuel wildfires, and is beginning new approaches to reduce wildfire risk, such as a new mowing program in open space areas adjacent to select residential areas. Learn more about open space wildfire risk reduction efforts below and through our Wildfire Resilience webpage. Take personal actions to help our community reduce shared risks and Be Wildfire Ready.
• Burrowing Owl Protection. OSMP instituted a temporary trail closure that helped the city protect an important habitat on Gunbarrel Hill, where two burrowing owl pairs raised eight owlets successfully. Burrowing owls are a threatened species at the state level, and the temporary closure of the Vesper Trail helped protect the only burrowing owl nests in city-managed open spaces in 2024.
• Stream and Creak Health. The city contracted to design a project on Coal Creek that uses structures that mimic beaver dams to help improve stream habitat and sustain creek health in an era of a changing climate. This work aims to restore stream structure and hydrology and create conditions where OSMP could welcome beavers back to the creek with a vision to sustain long-term creek health.
• Pond Restoration. OSMP continued long-term efforts to restore a formal gravel mining site along Goose Creek, where it joins Boulder Creek, to create more natural wetland habitat in the city. Beavers moved into the improved area in 2024, and the city is now working to balance beaver occupation with long-term restoration goals by implementing co-existence strategies.
• Wetland Monitoring. With the support of an EPA wetland development grant, the city partnered with the Colorado Natural Heritage program to map and characterize wetland and creek/stream areas on city-managed open space. OSMP will use mapping to develop a wetland monitoring assessment program, with a pilot project in the summer of 2025 when OSMP will monitor 50 wetlands.
• Pilot Perimeter Mowing Program. The city launched a pilot mowing effort, an initiative identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, to reduce wildfire risks in city-managed open space near residential areas. The mowing pilot will complement other open space risk reduction strategies – which include tree thinning, prescribed burning, livestock grazing and invasive weed removal – and city wildfire preparedness work.
• Forest Thinning. OSMP staff conducted multiple tree-thinning projects across the OSMP system to sustain healthy forest ecosystems and reduce the risk of wildfires. In 2024, department forest crews thinned over 160 acres and dedicated more than 12,000 staff hours to forest management projects. Projects included extensive thinning efforts in the Shanahan Ridge area, southwest of town, to reduce fire risk to the city and improve forest habitat for native plant and wildlife species. We partnered with City of Boulder Utilities on several projects to protect vital infrastructure that provides power and drinking water to Boulder. We collaborated across boundaries with Four Mile and Boulder Rural Fire Protection Districts and the Colorado State Forest Service to create strategic landscape-level fuel breaks that could be used for suppression in the event of a wildfire while improving overall forest health.
• Cattle Grazing on Shanahan Ridge. Last year, marked the 10th year the city has worked with local ranchers who lease open space agricultural land to conduct prescriptive cattle grazing south of Boulder. Cattle grazing is the most cost-effective tool for managing vegetation in the rocky open space areas in south Boulder. It is an effective way to reduce invasive weeds, especially tall oatgrass, which can fuel wildfires. In 2024, OSMP expanded cattle grazing to areas near the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
• Vegetation Management. Native plant communities in Boulder’s open space are naturally resilient to fire, but invasive weeds and plant species threaten them. In 2024, the city treated over 6,000 acres for invasive weed species in city-managed open space, contributing to healthier and more fire-resistant landscapes. Vegetation Stewardship staff also removed 30,000 pounds of Russian olives, a non-native tree common across the eastern portion of the city’s Open Space and Mountain Parks system.
• OSMP Research Program. OSMP’s Funded Research Program provided five grants to fund research on OSMP land to “support a learning laboratory approach to conservation.” The department also issued 20 permits for researchers to conduct additional scientific studies on open space lands. Learn more about OSMP’s Funded Research program.
• Climate Plan. OSMP completed an effort to fulfill a key climate strategy by completing a long-term strategic climate action plan. The plan focuses on helping reduce OSMP contributions to climate change, and supporting nature and people to thrive in a changing climate future. Key objectives of the plan are: 1) Increase the resilience of natural and working lands; 2) reduce emissions; and 3) foster climate awareness, participation and equity.
• Native Seed Program. OSMP staff and volunteers collected native seeds from open space to help support department ecological restoration and trail work. Seeds collected from native grasses, forbs (broad-leaved plants), shrubs, wetland plants, and trees are critical in helping OSMP conduct ecological restoration projects, such as revegetating areas affected by natural disturbance events such as fire or floods, and planting native plants where OSMP removed invasive weeds.
• Seasonal Wildlife Closures. OSMP and Parks and Recreation continued seasonal wildlife closures in 2024 to help protect sensitive wildlife species across the city’s open space systems. Wildlife closures have played an important role in helping many wildlife species – such as peregrine falcons and Golden Eagles– reproduce and raise their young. Learn more about 2025 wildlife closures.
• Wildlife Fencing. OSMP continued ongoing work to ensure safe wildlife movement across fencing to access important habitats. This year, OSMP converted over 3,500 feet of fencing into wildlife-friendly designs.
• Prairie Dog Barrier Program. The city launched a pilot program to provide financial assistance to open space neighbors interested in installing prairie dog barriers on their land. This pilot program aims to help neighboring landowners minimize prairie dog encroachment on their properties.

Together, we build an inclusive community of stewards and seek to find our place in open space.

Over the next decade, Open Space and Mountain Parks seeks to:

• Continue to support city-wide efforts to sustain, strengthen and honor relationships with American Indian Tribal Nations.
• Inspire environmental education.
• Sustain community volunteerism, partnerships and neighborhood involvement.
• Promote equity and inclusion where all people feel welcome, safe and able to enjoy the benefits of open space.
• Create long-term connections with OSMP lands that are strengthened and deepened throughout our lives and across generations.
• Increase awareness of the benefits of nature and the ways visiting OSMP lands can reduce stress and increase physical and mental well-being.
• Encourage youth to spend time outdoors and to care for their open space system.

Engage with OSMP!

• OSMP provides community educational and recreational nature-based programs. Sign up for our "Field Notes" e-newsletter to receive e-mail updates about upcoming programs.
• Sign up for community nature hikes and educational programs.
• OSMP also provides requested educational programs, recreational excursions, accessible bike rides, and contemplative experiences in English and Spanish. Learn more about requesting a program.
• OSMP connects with the community by offering many opportunities for people to give back to the land in meaningful ways. Learn more about volunteer projects and how to give back to the land we all love.

Priority Stewardship Strategies

We have prioritized two "Community Connection, Education and Inclusion" strategies in Open Space and Mountain Parks' long-term strategic plan:

• Welcome visitors of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Enhance communication with visitors.

• Fort Chambers - Poor Farm Concept Plan. The city completed a long-term planning process with Tribal Representatives to develop a concept plan to guide the future stewardship of land with a community connection to the Sand Creek Massacre. The concept plan is guided by a shared city-Tribal vision of “Heal the Land; Heal the People” and includes recommendations to heal the land from past ecological disturbances and create a healing trail for education, reflection and gathering. We thank Tribal Representatives for their collaboration and guidance for this important planning effort.
• OSMP Rangers. Rangers patrolled thousands of miles of open space trails in 2024, helping community members and visitors enjoy and protect the land. They responded to at least 398 calls, including 173 law enforcement calls, 29 fire calls, 108 medical calls and 88 search-and-rescue calls. In addition, Rangers made over 12,600 contacts with open space visitors.
• "Out in Nature" Award. The city received a Blue Grama Award from the Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA) for its “Out in Nature” program. OSMP staff developed the program to reduce barriers between LGBTQIA2S+ people and the outdoors to build a greater sense of community, improve participants' mental health and make it easier for community members to see themselves in nature.
• Accessibility Programs. The department served 1,536 people experiencing disabilities and people wanting to understand outdoor accessibility. Staff led 44 adaptive equipment/accessibility training programs, rides and presentations. OSMP staff also led nine disability hikes and seven accessibility events.
  
• Meadow Music 25th Anniversary. In 2024, the Meadow Music program celebrated its 25th anniversary! We extend our gratitude to Jeff & Paige for partnering with the city and helping us to inspire environmental education among thousands of Boulder-area youth. Since its inception in 2005, Jeff & Paige’s “Meadow Music” summer concert series has been one of Open Space and Mountain Parks’ most popular nature and environmental educational programs. It has helped kids develop a deep connection with nature, inspiring future generations of environmental stewards.
• Staff Social Media Outreach. OSMP Rangers and Education and Outreach staff leveraged their creativity and their on-the-ground experience on the land to develop engaging social media content on Instagram. One social media post went viral, generating more than 150,000 likes! Join us on Instagram!
• GivePulse. OSMP supported the city in launching its new volunteer management platform, GivePulse, which replaced the "Count Me In Boulder" site. The change will enable a wider reach among community members by including our volunteer opportunities in statewide search results. 
• Volunteer Accreditation. The city renewed its national Service Enterprise accreditation in strategic volunteer engagement from the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). This recognition highlights the city’s exceptional capability to effectively engage community members and volunteers to meet the community’s needs. Thank you to all OSMP volunteers who helped us steward Boulder’s remarkable open space in 2024!
• Raptor and Bat Monitor Volunteers.  Fifty-nine volunteers provided more than 2,000 hours of data collection and observations to support and help OSMP wildlife management decisions.

• Volunteers who communicate with visitors. These volunteers are critical in increasing Open Space and Mountain Parks' "Presence on the Land" and helping us communicate responsible recreation reminders to our visitors.

  • Bike Patrol: Fifty-two volunteers made more than 1,000 contacts and supported additional monthly outreach/bike tables at popular trailheads from May through November. They also rode over 6,000 miles on city trails!

  • Trail Ambassadors: Sixty-four volunteers made about 45,000 contacts to assist open space visitors!

  • Flagstaff Nature Center: Eighteen volunteers made over 6,000 contacts.

  • Volunteer Ambassadors at Chautauqua: Fifteen volunteers made approximately 30,000 visitor contacts.

  • Dog Ambassadors: This new program had eight volunteers who made over 6,500 public contacts.

• Boulder Open Space Conservancy (BOSC). OSMP leveraged the $55,000 it received from BOSC, its official philanthropic partner, to support ongoing work across the open space system to help improve trails and restore sensitive areas on Mount Sanitas. The nonprofit also helped us design ecological restoration work on Coal Creek. Learn more about BOSC.

• Community Nature Programs. The department offered 143 community programs that helped more than 5,800 people connect with nature! These programs provide participants with knowledge about local ecosystems, foster connections with the land and each other, and cultivate a sense of place. Program topics include wildlife, insects, raptors, plants, biodiversity and ecosystem health.
  

• Nature Discovery. We provided 33 programs that helped more than 4,000 people, including youth and their parents, to experience the outdoors together. Through Storytime hikes, Nature Play Dates, Fishing Fun and guided nature hikes, we offer many ways for youth and families to explore and connect to Boulder’s wild open space lands.

• School Programs. OSMP continued to offer school programs to help youth connect with nature and learn about Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. These programs included field trips, school assemblies and classroom activities. In 2024, OSMP reached over 5,000 students through 131 programs conducted on open space and at schools. We thank our partners at the Boulder Valley School District and local independent school staff, faculty, and students, who help us co-create engaging learning experiences. These programs cover ecosystems, wildlife, insects, seasonal change, geology, Leave No Trace, outdoor ethics and outdoor safety.

• Lil’ Explorers. OSMP continued its “Lil' Explorers” collaboration with Thorne Nature Experience and Boulder Housing Partners, focusing on engaging young children and their families in nature-connection experiences on open space. In the fall of 2024 –the third year of the collaboration – 45 participants from nine families participated in this six-week series. Each session provided a safe and supportive environment for hands-on learning and exploration, allowing families to create lasting memories while deepening their connection to the natural world.

• 2024 Virtual Open House and Project Webmap. OSMP welcomed community members to learn about significant projects the department planned for 2024 through its “virtual open house” webpage. The department also developed an interactive project map showing significant projects occurring across the city’s open space.
• "The Peoples' Crossing: Honoring Relationships with Tribal Nations." The city worked with Tribal Representatives to host a community event to honor and strengthen relationships with Tribal Nations. Unfortunately, heavy snow conditions and area closures forced the city to cancel “The Peoples’ Crossing: Honoring Relationships with Tribal Nations." While the snow canceled the event, Tribal Nation Representatives and singers and dancers who were in Boulder before the snow came still celebrated their traditions, cultures and histories with songs and dancing.
• Memorandum of Understanding with Tribal Nations. The city signed an updated partnership agreement with Tribal Nations, focusing on city-managed open space. This agreement consolidates past City-Tribal Memorandums of Understanding and establishes a foundation for future City-Tribal Nation collaboration and ongoing consultation.
• Planned Ethnographic Report with Tribal Nations. City and OSMP staff continued working with Tribal Representatives to develop a forthcoming ethnographic report. Interviews with Tribal Representatives on city-managed open space will inform the report to help the Boulder community learn about Tribal Nations' enduring traditional, cultural and historical connections to the Boulder Valley.