For a quarter-century, the Trust for Public Land has helped to preserve those special corners of Colorado and the breathtaking vistas that have led so many of us to revere this state.
By working with communities to identify areas that deserve protection, and then reaching across party lines and various layers of government to secure funding, the Trust has preserved 80,000 acres in Colorado from unwarranted development. The notable sites include Roxborough State Park southwest of Denver, Cherokee Park in Larimer County and South Table Mountain in Golden. (Remember Nike unbelievably wanting to build a factory on top?)
The Trust, celebrating its 25th year in Colorado, preserves land that Coloradans and visitors enjoy as parks, gardens, trails or open space. The money for acquisitions often comes from federal and state grants, including the Great Outdoors Colorado fund. Decisions about what to preserve are made by staff in Colorado with guidance from a local advisory board of volunteers.
Over the years, the trust’s mission has evolved from securing isolated lands endangered by encroaching development to a more systematic, big-picture approach. Rather than preserving a specific parcel of land, the trust, a national, non-profit organization, might act as a bridge between various government agencies to preserve an entire mountain backdrop.
Its work, and the benefits, will endure.
Colorado is more livable today than it might be, thanks to the Trust for Public Land. We salute the Trust for 25 years, and given the growth expected in Colorado over the next few decades, we anticipate its effort will be required to preserve more of the spots that make our state so special.
