Open Space and Mountain Parks Virtual Open House

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 and fragile ecosystems.

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.
• City-managed open space also provides habitat for 1,046 plant species.

Key Strategies

• 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 seasonal wildlife closures and view a map of current closures by visiting OSMP's main closure webpage.

2023 Accomplishments

Read "Ecosystem Health & Resilience" 2023 accomplishments on our annual reporting webpage.

• Wildfire Risk Reduction Efforts. OSMP wildfire risk reduction efforts mimics fire’s beneficial natural processes, which help to sustain healthy ecosystems and reduce the likelihood of extreme fires. OSMP work that mimics fire includes tree thinning, livestock grazing, prescribed burning, weed management and a new pilot mowing program. ​Recent open space risk reduction work helped slow the NCAR Fire – which occurred under much less extreme conditions than the Marshall Fire – keeping it from becoming a more intense fire. Learn more about OSMP wildfire risk reduction efforts.
• Shanahan Ridge Forest Thinning. OSMP will conduct forest thinning and fire mitigation in the Shanahan Ridge area to create a more open forest structure that represents more natural ponderosa pine forest conditions that are less susceptible to extreme wildfires. This involves removing small to medium trees, dead material, and ladder fuels, which could otherwise spread fire to mature trees. The project aims to thin more than 30 acres in 2024.
• Bison Dr-Kossler Forest Thinning. The Bison Dr-Kossler Forest Thinning project, a collaboration between OSMP and City of Boulder Utilities, aims to improve forest health and protect vital infrastructure, including drinking water, hydroelectric facilities, and key powerlines. This work builds on past efforts to enhance emergency access and reduce wildfire risk in Boulder while supporting overall forest health.
• Canyonside Forest Thinning. This forest health and fire prevention project aims to create a larger open forest environment, which supports more diverse plant life, provides habitats for various wildlife and helps reduce the risk of severe wildfires. The project will be conducted in collaboration with Four Mile and Boulder Rural Fire Protection Districts and will occur on both OSMP and private land to expand the area of improved forest conditions.
• Shanahan Ridge Tall Oatgrass Grazing. OSMP will work with local agricultural producers to have their cattle graze on Shanahan Ridge south of Boulder to reduce invasive weeds and fire risks for the community. OSMP has used cattle as an ecosystem improvement and wildfire reduction tool on Shanahan Ridge since 2014. Specifically, this effort seeks to remove tall oatgrass, which spreads rapidly, threatens plants in the area and can help fuel wildfires. In 2024, a pilot program in collaboration with UCAR/NCAR adjacent to OSMP will help expand the area of tall oatgrass control.
• Pilot Mowing Program. OSMP will begin a pilot Wildland Urban Interface Perimeter Mowing Program this summer to mow a 30-foot strip of open space land next to four neighborhoods as part of citywide efforts to help address and reduce shared wildfire risks in our community. It will help complement current Open Space and Mountain Parks and other city-wide wildfire risk strategies, which tree thinning, prescribed burning, livestock grazing, invasive weed removal, wildfire home assessments and community wildfire preparedness. 
• Mediterranean Sage Control. In addition to a large number of non-native species that are routinely controlled by OSMP Vegetation Management staff, in 2024, work will continue to remove Mediterranean sage, a noxious weed, from over 1,800 acres of open space north of Boulder. In 2022, they removed 15,850 plants, 30% fewer than the previous year. This effort helps native plants access more nutrients, water, and sunlight, boosting plant biodiversity.
• Native Seed Program. OSMP staff and volunteers will help collect native seeds from open space to help support department ecological 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 floods and planting native plants where OSMP removed invasive weeds
• Cottonwood Ponds Wetland Restoration. The US Army Corps of Engineers funded a project in 2015 to restore Cottonwood Ponds, a former gravel pit, to its natural creek and floodplain state (riverine wetlands), aiming to counter the loss of plant and wildlife diversity caused by many Colorado Front Range creeks becoming open water ponds. In 2020, beavers dammed Goose Creek, reflooding the area and destroying most young cottonwoods and willows, leading to a surge in invasive cattails and yellow flag iris. The beavers were relocated, the dam removed, and teams cleared invasive plants. Native wetland and marsh plants were seeded in fall 2021. 2024 plans include further seeding or planting if needed, and ongoing weed control.
• Ecological Restoration Along Boulder Creek East of Boulder. OSMP staff continues to conduct ongoing ecological restoration work to restore former gravel mining pits to more natural wetlands and floodplain habitats. This work helps improve and sustain important wildlife and plant habitats along Boulder Creek between 75th Street and 95th Street
• Boulder Creek Riparian and Floodplain Restoration in town. OSMP volunteers will continue to support ongoing ecological restoration and maintenance efforts along Boulder Creek near Boulder Community Health. This work will help support past restoration efforts to improve creek ecological health and help support habitat for a broad range of plant and animal species.
• Wetland Mapping, Monitoring & Assessment. OSMP received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work in collaboration with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to map and assess wetland and creek/stream systems on OSMP-managed properties, helping to identify their locations, types, extent, quality, and functionality. The new information will guide OSMP's efforts to prioritize wetland protection and restoration, while also tracking changes caused by land management and climate change over time.

Please view our 2024 OSMP project map to see where ecological projects are occurring in 2024.

We are united by our connection to and enjoyment of nature and our obligation to protect it.

Our community’s long-term investment in open space has paid dividends for each generation of community members with stunning landscapes, trails, and other facilities for all to enjoy long into the future. From hiking, biking and climbing, to birdwatching, photography and quiet contemplation, OSMP lands offer accessible and challenging terrain for all abilities.

Key Facts

• Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) trails help connect visitors to some of the most biologically diverse natural areas in the western United States.
• Boulder's OSMP system receives between 5.5 million to 6.25 million visits every year.
• OSMP manages 154 miles of trails, 37 trailheads and 77 access points.
• Trail and trailhead projects require extensive design work and environmental permitting, requiring OSMP trail and trailhead specialists, ecologists and landscape architects to coordinate project plans to protect wildlife, plants and water resources.
  

Key Strategies

• Assess and manage increasing visitation
• Reduce trail maintenance backlog

Stay Informed

Learn more about Boulder trails and trailheads. View current trail closures through our interactive trail map. Visitors can also see current closures through the Colorado Trail Explorer while more detailed closure information – including seasonal wildlife closures – is available through a city webpage. Text “OSMP” to 888-777 to sign up for text updates about muddy trail closures.

2023 Accomplishments

Read "Responsible Recreation, Stewardship & Enjoyment" accomplishments on our annual reporting webpage.

• North Sky Trail: OSMP is nearing completion of the new 3.5-mile North Sky Trail – which will connect the city’s Foothills Trail to the Joder Ranch Trail north of Boulder – and is planning to open it in mid-July. The North Sky Trail – which has required extensive design and permitting work to help protect sensitive natural resources – was called for in OSMP’s North Trail Study Area Plan PDF. Once the trail is constructed, on-trail use will be required to protect rare plants and habitat in this area and a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) will be enacted in the immediate vicinity. Additionally, dogs must be on-leash and are allowed for most of the year; they are prohibited from May 1 – July 31 to protect bird nesting habitat.
• Sawhill Ponds Trailhead: OSMP will implement several trailhead improvements, including constructing a new fishing pier, enhancing bus parking and upgrading a “bird blind” to help visitors observe wildlife. The department will also improve parking and the Sawhill Ponds Trail for community members experiencing disabilities, helping them to experience the fishing pier and picnic areas better. OSMP plans to complete this work in the fall.
• Shale and western Eagle trails: OSMP will construct the new Shale Trail, which will connect Boulder Valley Ranch Trailhead to city-managed open space on a mesa north of Boulder. The trail will be open to horses and hikers. Additionally, OSMP will reroute a steep, erosive section of the western part of Eagle Trail to improve the trail experience for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. As part of this work, OSMP will close and restore trails to help protect important plant habitats. OSMP anticipates beginning this work late this year and lasting into 2025.
• Cobalt Trail: OSMP will reroute the trail to improve drainage, avoid rare and sensitive plants, and create a better visitor experience. Work is expected to start in the fall.
• Mount Sanitas Trail: OSMP will continue repair and maintenance efforts on the Mount Sanitas Trail this summer. This work will include replacing old trail infrastructure, installing new steps and conducting repairs to reduce soil erosion. OSMP reminds visitors to help us protect vegetation in the area by staying on trail and walking through mud to help us minimize “trail braiding” caused by visitors walking off trail, which widens the trail and damages drainage and infrastructure.
• Royal Arch Trail: OSMP will continue ongoing work to improve the trail by installing additional timber stairs near the end of the trail. The department anticipates implementing closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, to help complete this work. Trail work is expected to occur this summer.
• Chapman Drive Trailhead: Trailhead improvements will include a new pedestrian bridge connecting Boulder Canyon Trail to the Chapman Drive Trailhead across Boulder Creek. OSMP also will improve parking at the trailhead. Additional visitor amenities will include more bike racks and a new picnic table. This work is expected to occur in the fall.
• New bridge over South Boulder Creek: OSMP plans to install a new bridge over South Boulder Creek and will build a new, small connector trail to provide access to the new bridge for community members living near South Boulder Road and Cherryvale Road to the new bridge. The department also will remove invasive species, restore native vegetation and upgrade irrigation infrastructure to support fish movement up and down the creek as part of ongoing work to help protect rare and federally threatened wildlife and plant species in the area. The department plans to begin work this fall.
• Cragmoor-Shanahan Connector: OSMP will design and designate the trail connection between Cragmoor Connector and North Fork Shanahan Trail on Shanahan Ridge in south Boulder. OSMP plans to conduct trail construction work this summer. The current undesignated trail alignment will be restored after the new alignment is completed.
• Eagle and Sage trails: OSMP recently completed extensive maintenance work on the eastern sections of Eagle and Sage Trails north of the city. These trails provide important connections into Boulder from neighboring communities and areas north of the city.

The department will conduct several other trail repair projects and trail reroute efforts in the following areas:

• Buckingham Park
• Baseline Meadow
• East Boulder – Gunbarrel Trail
• Greenbelt Plateau
• Lehigh Connector North
• The Peoples’ Crossing
• Saddle Rock Trail
• OSMP also will conduct ecological restoration efforts for many upcoming trail projects. That work includes closing and restoring undesignated trails that can harm sensitive wildlife habitats, seeding grassland areas, planting native vegetation and controlling non-native species. As part of trailhead projects, OSMP is focusing on using native vegetation to support wildlife and pollinator habitats.

Please view our 2024 OSMP project map to see where trail and trailhead projects are occurring in 2024.

We steward public funding to fulfill the City Charter purposes for open space.

As of 2024, three citizen-approved sales tax increments accounted for about 90 percent of OSMP's annual revenues, evidence that Boulder community members continue to recognize the value of open space. Boulder residents have created a remarkable open space legacy for themselves and future generations by approving tax increases.

Key Facts

• In 2024, the Open Space Fund is made up of the following three sales tax increments:
  • 0.40 percent sales tax which has no sunset
  • 0.33 percent sales tax which was reduced to 0.22 percent on Jan. 1, 2019, to be reduced to .10 percent on Jan. 1, 2035, then exists in perpetuity.
  • 0.15 percent sales tax which expires Dec. 31, 2039.

Key Strategies

• Steadily generate funds through sales and use tax collections while strategically leveraging other revenue streams and local dollars to support OSMP’s capacity to deliver open space services.
• Create, optimize, and manage budgets that anticipate major change drivers such as extreme weather events and fluctuations in revenue and spending.

2023 Accomplishments

Read "Financial Sustainability" accomplishments on our annual reporting webpage.

• 2024 Approved Budget (PDF)
• 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) (PDF)
• OSMP Administration
• OSMP Community & Partnerships
• OSMP Resources & Stewardship
• OSMP Trails & Facilities

Taking Care of What We Have. The department will continue focusing on conservation easement monitoring, managing third-party access and construction projects, developing access agreements and coordinating licenses and disposals and conservation easement amendments. Staff also will continue in-depth stewardship of data and information to support effective decision-making.

Supporting Community Members. OSMP staff will continue to provide front-desk services that provide information to community members and managing important community programs, including the Voice and Sight Program, open space facility rentals, OSMP parking permits and open space commercial permits.