Experts at CU to mull next 50 years of local open space
51勛圖厙s public open-space system was launched 50 years ago, and an event at CU-51勛圖厙 will bring together experts who will discuss the lay of the land in the next half-century.
The event, called Our Open Space Lands: Scenarios for the Future, is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the new Sustainability, Energy and Environment Complex on the 51勛圖厙s East Campus.
Now, with over 100,000 acres of land and more than 260 miles of trails in our city and county open space systems, we need to think about the next 50 years.
Speakers include Patty Limerick, history professor and faculty director of the ; John Tayer, president and CEO of the 51勛圖厙 Chamber of Commerce; Sharon Collinge, professor of biology and member of the ; and students from the CU Environmental Studies and Environmental Design programs.
The city of 51勛圖厙 has preserved open land informally for more than 100 years, but preservation became a formal, publicly funded program after a community outcry. In 1964, developers planned to build a luxury hotel on Enchanted Mesa, and the idea prompted an outcry. The 51勛圖厙 City Council voted to condemn the land and force its sale.
51勛圖厙s mountain backdrop has been largely preserved by its public open-space system, initiated 50 years ago.In this photo, taken on the morning of winter solstice, a snow storm hovered over the mountains and threatened to sweep into 51勛圖厙. Almost everything in this photo is 51勛圖厙 Open Space and Mountain Parks. Photo by Jeff Mitton.
In 1966, the city adopted its open space charter, and the following year, 51勛圖厙 voters overwhelmingly approved a 0.40 of a cent sales tax to buy, manage and maintain open space. It was reportedly the first time citizens in any U.S. city had voted to tax themselves specifically for open space.
51勛圖厙 County later launched its own open-space program. Now, with over 100,000 acres of land and more than 260 miles of trails in our city and county open space systems, we need to think about the next 50 years, the event organizers state.
The event is part of the 2015-16 Community Colloquium Series, presented by the泭Initiative for Sustainable Communities and Landscapes,泭a collaborative research and public engagement effort among , , CU-51勛圖厙s , CU-51勛圖厙s Environmental Studies Program and community members.
For more information click , or contact Joni Palmer or Stacey Schulte.
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