P.O. Box 822 Golden, Colorado, 80402
BIG news!
Open Space Master Plan Update
Open Space Master Plan Update
. Update on Golden’s Open Space Master Plan
After an extensive process including community input and engagement, the City Council adopted Phase 2 of the Open Space Master Plan (OSMP) last June. For the Phase 2 report click this link:
Stewards was an active participant in the Working Group for the planning process. Three members of our Steering Committee were appointed to the nine person Working Group. Much of the research and information about specific open space areas was provided by Stewards and is contained in the report. This is great progress in Steward’s effort to ensure the responsible management of our important open spaces and the resources they embody. Thanks to everyone who helped make this important progress possible.
Still to be completed is Phase 3 of the OSMP process which is included in the recommendations contained in the Phase 2 report. Additional City funding will be necessary to complete this final phase which will include specifics of the management of the open spaces to ensure their protection and preservation. We are hopeful that funding will be approved so this work can be continued expeditiously.
2025 Kinney Run Trail Walks
Open Space Master Plan Update
Our 2025 educational tours - we had fun, learned a lot and were inspired to preserve our limited open spaces!
May bird watching tours:
May 18th - 39 species recorded!
May 31st - 33 species recorded!
Geology/History Tour
We learned about environmentally sensitive soils, the historic Tripp Ranch, the Dakota Hogback and the Cambria Lime Kiln!
Magic Mountain Field Trip
We learned about Native American life along the front range. Excavations of the site have uncovered cultural remains that include a diverse assemblage of tools, processing implements, and fire features!
Watch our newsletter for next year's tour dates!
See some of the beautiful bird photos from past years on the Kinney Run page.
Printable Common Native Plants of Greater Golden Brochure
Printable Common Native Plants of Greater Golden Brochure
Artist Suzanne Stutzman was asked by Stewards to create a hand drawn brochure of the common native plants found in the Greater Golden area.
The plants included in the brochure, like the Western Red Currant shown above, were used by three of the native tribes that lived here.
This beautiful hand drawn, color brochure is now available for you to download and print for free! See the Downloads section on the Accomplishments page.
Copyright Suzanne Stutzman 2023
about stewards of golden open space
The What - Our Mission Statement
Stewards of Golden Open Space is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit formed by Golden residents to provide the community vision and voice to understand, protect and preserve Golden’s precious open space resources, their assets and the values they represent with transparency and inclusivity.
The Why
From the Golden Vision 2030 -
"We value the natural beauty of unique geologic features, extended stretches of the foothills, and unbroken stretches of natural environments that define Golden as a place."
Residents of Golden consistently express strong support, appreciation and priorities for our open spaces, as important Golden resources. Much of this open space contains wildlife, vegetation, historical, cultural, geological, hydrological, archeological and other elements, like buffers from urban landscapes, that are valued by the Golden community.
As a result of Stewards' advocacy the City of Golden is now beginning the development of an Open Space Master Plan to provide a formal structure and public guidance for preserving, protecting, and managing the use or future of our open space. The risks to these resources include increasing urbanization, development pressures, recreational desires, neglect, unauthorized uses and intrusions. Development of an open space master plan has been a major goal of Stewards since its inception.
Join Us
We welcome the support and participation of all who support our mission. See our accomplishments!
- Sign up on the 'Contact Us' page to learn more and get involved.
- Join our email list for news and updates on our activities.
- Attend educational sessions and volunteer events to learn more about our open spaces, where they are, what assets they contain, their history, and how other cities and counties manage, protect and preserve open space.
- Share your knowledge as part of the Expert Advisory Committee.
- Join the Steering Committee to help guide our work.
- Provide financial support – any donation helps defray the costs of the activities for our all-volunteer organization.
See the download section at the bottom of any of the Open Space Locations pages to open a larger map
a sample of Golden open space locations
Magic Mountain
South Table Mountain/Lubahn Trail
Magic Mountain is a Golden open space area visible from the southern end of the Kinney Run Trail, close to Apex Park. It is where ancient Indians camped.
South Table Mountain/Lubahn Trail
South Table Mountain/Lubahn Trail
The Lubahn Trail Open Space is located in Golden under Castle Rock on South Table Mountain. Trail access is at the end of 18th Street.
Kinney Run
The Kinney Run Open Space in Golden runs from Apex Park north to Tripp Ranch and continues north to 6th Ave.
North Golden Hogback Open Space
North Golden Hogback Open Space
The North Hogback Open Space includes the Early Bird site which is a National Natural Landmark and part of the Morrison-Golden fossil area.
Schweich Hill
North Golden Hogback Open Space
Bachman Park (and others)
The newly renamed Schweich Hill Open Space is a small 4-acre city-owned parcel in north Golden, tucked between the Cannonball Creek Brewery and North Ford Street.
Bachman Park (and others)
North Golden Hogback Open Space
Bachman Park (and others)
The Bachman passive park/open space land was an integral part of the Bachman family ranching operations.
Help Protect Golden's valuable natural resources
Your generous donation will fund our mission!
