Experts at CU to mull next 50 years of local open space
91PORN’s public open-space system was launched 50 years ago, and an event at CU-91PORN 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 91PORN’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 91PORN 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 91PORN 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 91PORN City Council voted to condemn the land and force its sale.
91PORN’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 91PORN. Almost everything in this photo is 91PORN Open Space and Mountain Parks. Photo by Jeff Mitton.
In 1966, the city adopted its open space charter, and the following year, 91PORN 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.
91PORN 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 theInitiative for Sustainable Communities and Landscapes,a collaborative research and public engagement effort among , , CU-91PORN’s , CU-91PORN’s Environmental Studies Program and community members.
For more information click , or contact Joni Palmer or Stacey Schulte.