Dear Editor,

We would like to take the opportunity to introduce ourselves.  We are Preserve Coal Creek Canyon, a group of locals that own property in the canyon who decided to collectively reach out to Denver Parks and Rec (DPR) to understand more about the proposed Axton Ranch donation to the City of Denver, including its potential impact on our community. 

Our intent is to ensure all residents have all the facts to make an informed decision regarding the pros/cons of this donation and the potential impact to our daily lives. 

With these facts in mind, canyon residents are encouraged to share their feedback with DPR as they decide and initiate the processes to determine final use of the donation. Below is a summary of what we have learned from multiple meetings with DPR (Brad Eckert and Luke McKay) and various other stakeholders from groups across Gilpin, Jefferson, and Boulder county to name a few:

Fact #1: The Donation Use is Not Yet Finalized; Residents Still Have an Opportunity to Provide Input 

The Axton family signed a contract donating 450 acres at the end of Camp Eden Road to the City of Denver on December 23, 2020. The donation agreement is currently scheduled to close around October 5, 2021, at which point the park will remain closed indefinitely to all individuals, including all canyon residents. Only groups organized through DPR will be granted access. 

Next steps in the finalization of the donation agreement are below. We will post all confirmed dates as we receive them from DPR in our Facebook group (“Axton Ranch Park Development”):

May 24 - DPR sent out email notifications to some canyon residents for a community meeting on June 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

June 24 - DPR Community meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join us at the CCCIA Community Hall, 31528 HWY. 72; or register here for a video call: 

https://tinyurl.com/AxtonRanch; or attend via audio only by dialing US: +1 720 928 9299.  The Meeting ID: 860 5503 1701.

July/August - DPR expects to submit applications to Jefferson and Gilpin Counties; this step will most likely also require a public hearing though permit type is TBD.

October 5 - Final acceptance of the donation and all current terms.

Fact #2: The Proposed & Signed Contract As Is Allows for Activities Like Fires, Restrooms, and the Construction of a Welcome Center

The contract signed by the City of Denver and the Axtons lists the following City Obligations as follows (note: this text differs from many of the verbal commitments communicated to residents, but this is directly from the legal contract signed by both parties):

Protect and manage the Donated Property for Park Purposes.

Limit public uses on the Donated Property to passive recreation, including but not limited to: hiking, wildlife/bird watching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, horseback riding, small group camping and other non-motorized recreation (Americans with Disabilities Act access and recreation are not prohibited); and environmental education, youth programs, nature, history, and outdoor education studies.

Limit development on the Donated Property to structures and improvements, including but not limited to: hiking trails, welcome center, picnic shelters and tables, gazebos, restrooms, small group camping areas, parking lots, interpretive and other signage, picnic tables, fire pits, and maintenance facilities.

Maintain the historic 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps-constructed fire-lookout trail on the Donated Property and to provide interpretive signage and information regarding the history of the fire-lookout tower on Thorodin Mountain.

Conduct forest management (including but not limited to selective thinning and dead tree harvesting) on the Donated Property to maintain forest health and prevent forest fires.

Keep Donor informed and allow Donor to comment regarding the development of applicable planning efforts related to the Donated Property.

Consider acquisition opportunities surrounding the Donated Property and cooperate with other park and open space agencies, including governmental or private landowners in the area, to expand the Donated Property or trail connections to existing park or open space lands.

Name the Donated Property “Axton Ranch Mountain Park” and designate it a City park by ordinance pursuant to § 2.4.5 of the Charter of the City as soon as possible after Closing.

Fact #3: Canyon Residents Have Concerns & Questions They’d Like DPR to Address

To gather input from residents, we sent out an initial survey to our Facebook group members, which is composed of ~ 250 canyon residents. From the results of our survey and verbal discussions with community members and DPR, the following concerns and questions were identified:

An increased fire risk associated with the allowance of campfires, fire pits, barbecues, and other open flames, especially if overnight camping is allowed.

An increase in traffic and congestion on both Hwy 72 and Camp Eden Road, speeding, car accidents involving pedestrians and animals, illegal parking, noise pollution, air quality pollution resulting from dust on the unpaved portion of Camp Eden Road, inadequate road infrastructure to support additional traffic, and traffic congestion preventing safe evacuation of residents in the event of a forest fire.

An increase in crime and/or property damage resulting from trespassers, vagrants, and transients will decrease property values and increase insurance costs.

At the budget hearing, Denver presented a $25,000 annual operating budget, which is not enough to support an onsite ranger to enforce illegal litter and dumping, wildlife harassment, fireworks, public intoxication, guns, and illegal parking. Enforcement resources from Denver, or surrounding counties such as Gilpin, Jefferson, and Boulder County Sheriffs, are over an hour away.

Who will absorb costs for increased fire support, road maintenance, law enforcement, on-going maintenance for park facilities, roadways, trash, forest mitigation, etc.? As a municipality, Denver will not pay taxes.

The park’s proximity to the Christian church camp, “Camp Eden,” could have a significant and dangerous impact for hosted camps if there is a “public park” directly abutted to their property creating potential safety issues where children are concerned.

Emergency communication for the entire Front Range area is run out of a microwave communications tower on Mt. Thorodin (adjacent to the property where the fire lookout trail will lead) Has hiker safety and impact on regional response been evaluated, budgeted, and financed?

The park will have significant environmental impacts to wildlife, vegetation, and water systems.

There has been a lot of discussion around what an alternative development option would be. Based on current zoning, the maximum number of allowable houses would be 22.  That would be 10 in Gilpin County and 12 in Jefferson County (and this is subject to whether or not building would be possible given much of the land is considered protected wetlands).

Upon closing on the donation, DPR confirmed they plan to keep Axton Ranch closed for all public access while they perform additional due diligence. How and when will Coal Creek Canyon residents obtain access to the park?

Future changes in park use referendums will only be required to be voted on by City of Denver residents. CCC residents have no vote in that process. How can canyon residents ensure they have a vote in future changes in park use?

By learning this information and sharing it with you, we invite you to form a judicious opinion based on facts so you can stay involved and lend your voice in this process. 

Here are actions you can take  right now:

Provide your input to DPR via email to parksandrecreation@denvergov.org (feel free to copy us in your email; our email address is preserveccc@gmail.com).

Review the updates DPR has provided at https://tinyurl.com/DPRpage.

Attend the Denver Parks and Rec community call to ask your questions on June 24th at 5:30 p.m. Join us at the CCCIA Community Hall 31528 HWY. 72, or register here for a video call https://tinyurl.com/AxtonRanch, or attend via audio only by dialing US: +1 720 928 9299.  The Meeting ID: 860 5503 1701.

Join the Axton Ranch Park Development Facebook group for ongoing updates: https://tinyurl.com/jwwy6y.

Take the follow-up survey we’ve organized! https://tinyurl.com/vuxmkw68.

Email us at preserveccc@gmail.com for any questions!  All content referenced here is also posted on the Facebook page.

Not on the internet? Feel free to mail your thoughts to P.O. Box 7051, Golden, CO 80403.

Jessica Gregg and Paula Furnace
Preserve Coal Creek Canyon