The Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Program was established by the voters of Pitkin County in 1990 by 56% 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 15,500 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 and Emma. All OST acquisitions are reviewed and recommended by a volunteer citizen board. OST's success is realized through the strength of partnerships. In 2007, our partners included Great Outdoors Colorado, City of Aspen, Town of Basalt, Eagle County, Aspen Valley Land Trust, Roaring Fork Conservancy and Aspen Skiing Company Environment Foundation.

The following open space acquisitions were completed in 2007:
Last Chance	4 acres	Aspen-Hunter Creek
Grange Ranch	187 acres-Conservation Easement	Basalt
Grange Ranch	16.5 acres-River Conservation Easement	Basalt
Jerome Park*	4773 acres-Conservation Easement	Crystal Valley
Smith	9.5 acres-Conservation Easement	McLain Flats
Powerhouse	2.5 acres of river frontage	Redstone
Jensen	35 acres (ice climbing route)	Redstone
East Sopris (Timroth)	518 acres-Conservation Easement	Woody Creek
Neiley	.95 acre-River Conservation Easement	Woody Creek
Tasker/Craig	303 acres-Conservation Easement	Woody Creek

* This conservation easement was put under option in 1997. The County completed this acquisition in 2007.

For a Grand Total of 5,849.45 Acres!

$5 Million Grant Awarded:
OST was awarded a Great Outdoors Colorado Legacy Grant in the amount of $5 million for a "Crystal Watershed Legacy Project." For more information click here.  

$828,000 Grant Awarded:
OST and its partners, Eagle County and Town of Basalt, were awarded an $828,000 grant to purchase a conservation easement and the Roaring Fork River Parcel from the Grange Family Ranches.

Open Space and Trails Map   ( 6.6Mb)
Trail Map   ( 5.1Mb)

Trail Maintenance Request Form
Special Use Permit Application  

General Information about Pitkin County Open Space and Trails:

Open Space and Trails Board:

Open Space and Trails Properties and Trails:

Open Space Management Plans:

Related Links: