Colorado county prohibits dispersed camping in Sandstone Ranch Open Space
The commission had been exploring the idea of camping at Sandstone, but some neighbors said the risk of fire in that area was too great.
"I absolutely was not expecting to hear this, and I had put together a presentation for the commissioners that said almost exactly what they did. I could not be more grateful. Their actions are exactly what was needed for the preservation of Sandstone and for all of us that live in the area, protecting our property, our lives, and our insurance rates," said Larkspur resident Gary Wood.
While camping isn't allowed in Sandstone, it's not off the table in other places in Douglas County. Commissiners directed staff to evaluate wildfire risk in the county in order to come up with guidelines for future decisions on camping.
Sandstone Ranch Open Space is located about 45 miles south of Denver.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bernalillo County plans to revitalize over 500 acres of untouched land by East Mountains
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Bernalillo County is reigniting talks on what to do with over 500 acres of untouched land in the East Mountains. Story continues below News: New Mexico soldier among those honored for jumping into action during Fort Stewart shooting Trending: Bernalillo County plans to revitalize over 500 acres of untouched land by East Mountains Community: What's happening in New Mexico August 8-14? Some county leaders call Sedillo Ridge a hidden gem, as it makes up more than half of the county's total open space, but that land has been untouched for well over 20 years. 'And so, it was a little bit strange to me that we had invested all this money in buying it and in improving it. But if you want to go with your family or you want to just go and go on a hike with your dogs or mountain bike, whatever you want to do, you really can't do that,' said Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas. West of Edgewood, the land was bought by the county in the early 2000s to protect the area from extensive development. While the county considered the potential of housing in the area, those plans came to a halt because of fire risks and water access. In the last few years, Olivas has been pushing for the public to get better access to the area. The county is now nearly finished with a master plan for the area, which would open it up for recreation. Next week, they'll host a community forum to ask people what they want to see at Sedillo Ridge, whether that's more trail heads, parking, or something else. 'We are open to, to anything at that meeting. Of course, we want to hear all the ideas, all the concerns, the master plan will be introduced. We've already shared it and shared some of the initial renderings at different meetings, but that'll really be kind of on display and fully introduced, and I would say somewhat finalized at this point,' explained Olivas. The county has already started a project to thin overgrown plants and trees. The public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Sandia Ranger Station in Tijeras. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
19 hours ago
- CBS News
Denver Zoo sea lion dies in Washington, D.C. while waiting for new habitat
A sea lion from the Denver Zoo died in Washington, D.C. this week while waiting for a new habitat. Nick has been staying at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. since 2023 while the Denver Zoo constructed a new sea lion habitat. The 18-year-old sea lion was scheduled to return to Denver this fall. The care teams at the Smithsonian Zoo said Nick recently began avoiding team members and his fellow sea lions and refusing food. They said he lost a significant amount of weight, and a veterinary team brought him in for an exam on Thursday to diagnose his condition. The veterinarians placed him under general anesthesia, and Nick's heart reportedly stopped during the procedure. Their efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Officials said he was rescued as a newborn from Seal Rock in North Laguna, California, when he was found with his umbilical cord still attached. He was so young that he had to be bottle-fed and hand-raised, zoo officials said. He came to the Denver Zoo when he was 10 months old. Nick was known for his size, over 700 lbs at his prime, and his booming bark and playful spirit. Zoo staff remember him as goofy, patient and as a gentle giant. "Nick's legacy will forever live on at DCZA. From being heard barking in the evenings in nearby neighborhoods, to Nick's Picks, to building a sea lion family at DZCA, he has always been a guest and staff favorite. Getting the chance to build a relationship with him is something I will always cherish dearly. Nick was a gentle soul and such a joy to work with. He made me smile every day, from his adorable snuggles with his daughter Ady to his goofy and sideways grin. I'll miss that no matter how impressively large he got, he was always an even bigger baby, whether it be snow, rain or geese. It was a privilege to work alongside him and he will be forever missed," said Animal Care Specialist Brandi Taylor. He's survived by his two offspring, Gunnison and Ady, and his mate, Luci.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Members of Denver Public Schools Foundation work with partners to clean up campuses before classes begin
Students are returning to schools across Colorado this month. On Friday, the Denver Public Schools Foundation and its corporate partners joined forces to tidy up some schools before students in city head back to class. At Carson Elementary School in the Hilltop neighborhood, teams of volunteers were cleaning up inside and outside the school. That included raking at the outside playground, painting and organizing classrooms. "We know when our students are supported our city thrives, so we are here to ensure that when our students come back they feel supported and feel pride when they walk into their schools," said Erin Shelby, a development specialist at the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Teams also cleaned up at Hallett Academy in North Park Hill and Abraham Lincoln High School in southwest Denver. The first day of school for DPS is Aug. 19.
