Douglas County Open Spaces/Parks

Tis a pleasure to live in a county where they not only respect the open space, but the government still is actively seeking to purchase, and protect more open space!! Since Douglas County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the past couple of decades, you would think that our county would be anxious to continue to develop, and collect the tax base revenue. However, thanks to Colorado Lottery Monies, and the Douglas County Land Conservancy Group, many of our historical ranches have been saved as open space, and many are now open for all of us to enjoy!

One of the largest parcels, Greenland Ranch, was purchased by the county, thus retaining the open space buffer that has existed for 100's of years, between Larkspur and Monument, which is located in El Paso County.

Being a Colorado Native, I cannot begin to tell you how our open spaces, vistas and views, mountains lakes and streams allow for an interconnection between humans, and Mother Earth. To be able to reside in a county, and reach many thousands of acres of open space within minutes from your home, is simply "heaven on earth."

Since I am an avid hiker and equestiran, I have spent many hours amongst our open space parks. When speaking with visitors, people come from all over the state, and I have even met a couple from Washington DC who had heard about the county's newest acqusition, Dawson Butte Open Space.

There are different guidelines for different trails. Some allow horses, some do not. Some allow dogs off leash, some do not. Much of this has to do with terrain, and the wild life that exists in the area. The county arranges various hikes that may include identifying wild flowers, viewing the wildlife, and some geological studies. The majority of these parks are open each day, seven days a week, so you may enjoy them at your own leisure, in your own schedule. Each open space is easily accessible, and information regarding them is fully covered in their web site.

Douglas County was one of the original 17 counties created in the Colorado Territory by the Colorado Territorial Legislature on 1861-11-01. Positioned south of Denver and north of Colorado Springs, Douglas County has enjoyed incredible growth recently, often ranking as the #1 County in the nation for population growth on a percentage basis. Douglas County is one of Colorado’s most scenic counties. The strikingly beautiful area has approximately 844 square miles of mountains, foothills & plains, and enjoys unparalleled peak-to-peak views of Colorado’s high mountain ranges. Douglas County has a population of 215,226 residents and contains 4 incorporated municipalities: Larkspur, Lone Tree, Castle Rock & Parker (approximately 73% of the population lives in unincorporated areas.) The county is an ideal mix of rural & suburban areas, village centers and large plots of open space including ranches, greenbelts, public parks & national forest lands. With excellent schools, Beautiful landscape, a thriving economy & scenic neighborhoods, Douglas County is an outstanding place to live, work & raise a family.