Open Space & Trails

About the Open Space and Trails Program: The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Program was established by the voters of Pitkin County in 1990 by 60% passage of a ballot initiative creating a County program for the purpose of acquiring open spaces and developing trails.

• The Program is funded by a property tax. In November 2006, the program was re-authorized by 72% voter approval and the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trails System was added to the OST Program.To date, the Open Space and Trails Program has preserved over 17,699 acres of scenic open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural landscapes. Some of these lands are purchased by the County; others remain in private ownership, but are protected as open space by conservation easements.

• The program also provides 40 miles of recreational trails (paved and unpaved), including the Rio Grande Trail which connects Aspen to Basalt to Emma to Carbondale and ending in Glenwood Springs.

• All OST acquisitions are reviewed and recommended by a volunteer citizen board. OST's success is realized through the strength of partnerships. Our partners include Great Outdoors Colorado, City of Aspen, Town of Basalt, Eagle County, Garfield County, Aspen Valley Land Trust, Roaring Fork Conservancy and Aspen Skiing Company Environment Foundation.

• Our Mission is to acquire, preserve, maintain and manage open space properties for multiple purposes including, but not limited to, recreational, wildlife, agricultural, scenic and access purposes; and to acquire, preserve, develop, maintain and manage trails for similar purposes.