In Colorado, nearly 40% of the state is comprised of federal public land, including four National Parks and eight National Monuments, 41 state parks, as well as hundreds of regional parks and open spaces. Public land is part of what makes the state’s landscape so breathtaking and lifestyle so rich offering outdoor recreation, wildlife habitats, clean air and water. Outdoor recreation, much of which takes place on public lands, accounts for more than $13 billion in economic activity in Colorado and supports some 125,000 jobs, according to the Boulder-based Outdoor Industry Association. From organizations providing voluntourism opportunities to improve and preserve public lands such as the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, to one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences and communities such as Buena Vista and Palisade embracing their public lands for outdoor recreation activities, there are a variety of ways to get involved in celebrating Colorado’s outdoors for everyone to enjoy. For more information, visit https://www.colorado.com/
Local Community Initiative. Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks 50th Anniversary. City staff celebrated the institution of the Open Space tax last November, but there are events to celebrate most of the year. This tax was put in place in 1967 and has helped the city of Boulder residents to preserve the beautiful mountain backdrop. Boulder is located where the mountains meet the plains and it allows for both mountain and plains recreation. Perhaps the most iconic landmark are the flatirons located at Chautauqua trailhead, but, that’s only a small part of the trail system and 45,000 acres of open space.