South Hogback/Community Center Information

KCRMD and Jefferson County Open Space (JCPOS) are exploring a land exchange concept: Jefferson County would transfer ownership of the Ken-Caryl Community Center property & facilities to KCRMD, and in return, KCRMD would transfer the South Hogback Open Space parcel to JCPOS for long-term conservation and public access.

Following completion of the South Hogback Management Plan, KCRMD asked JCPOS to review and comment on the plan. This began discussions on how to best manage the land more efficiently and sustainably. That conversation surfaced this potential opportunity: local ownership of the Community Center for long-term stability and county-level conservation capacity for the South Hogback.

This effort remains in the exploratory phase. No final decision has been made, and no specific terms, conditions, or details of a potential agreement have been developed or considered at this time.

The proposal aims to: provide local control of the Community Center for long-range planning and investment; leverage JPCOS’s specialized, county-scale conservation resources for South Hogback; improve operational efficiency; reduce duplicative costs; and protect natural resources.

Potential benefits include stronger stewardship of open space, clearer and more consistent rules for a regional public area, financial and staff efficiencies for KCRMD, and direct ownership of the Community Center to support future upgrades and community programming.

Jefferson County currently owns it and leases it to KCRMD for $1/year.

The facility’s history and prior intergovernmental arrangements left ownership with Jefferson County while KCRMD operated, invested in and maintained the site. This property transfer has been considered several times over the years with the ultimate intent to have KCRMD own the Community Center parcel.

KCRMD would have full ownership and control of the Community Center property, allowing for more effective long‑range capital planning, improved eligibility for certain grants or financing opportunities, and more timely, flexible decision‑making aligned with resident priorities. It is also important to note that any potential transfer would include a reciprocal reverter, providing safeguards to ensure the property continues to be used for its intended public and community‑serving purpose from the JCPOS perspective.

Yes. The goal is to continue and improve the services, programs, and access residents value.

No immediate changes are planned. Any future adjustments would follow KCRMD’s public processes, budget priorities and community input.

Ownership often simplifies and strengthens the case for upgrades—making it easier to plan, invest, and pursue additional funding opportunities.

Yes—local ownership can enhance stability and protect the Community Center’s role as a long-term community hub.

Yes. Although the county owns the land and buildings, KCRMD develops, improves and maintains aquatics, tennis, fitness and community facilities there.

No new tax is proposed as part of this concept. The exchange is intended to improve efficiency and redirect staff time and dollars toward community priorities.

An approximately 894-acre public open space area south and east of Valley Road, adjacent to JCOS’s South Valley Park, rich in wildlife habitat, native vegetation, and scenic views.

KCRMD has held the deed since 2003 and manages the property. This is 894-acre parcel adjacent to Jeffco Open Space’s South Valley Park was purchased with private and public funding from Johns Manville in the 1990s and deeded to the MD in 2003 as a public entity through the Ken-Caryl Ranch Foundation. MA Open Space Department provides all field management/work, including patrols, weed mapping, mechanical weed control, manages weed and trail contractors, performs emergency trail maintenance and handles all sign maintenance, including trail mowing services. The MD is invoiced annually for this expense.

JCPOS brings county-wide conservation expertise, dedicated funding, and operational capacity that can enhance long-term stewardship, trail systems, signage and maintenance.

The intent is permanent open space. The concept includes a reverter clause to protect that intent.

The proposal would be structured so the land cannot be developed. The reverter clause would help ensure it remains preserved as open space.

A reverter clause is a legally binding condition in the deed stating that if the land stops being used for its intended purpose (e.g., preserved as public open space), ownership can automatically revert according to the agreed-upon terms—serving as a safeguard to keep the property protected and publicly accessible.

JCPOS’s science-based management, formal planning, monitoring, and enforcement protocols would guide protection of sensitive cultural & natural resources, with public access balanced against habitat needs.

Through resource inventories, habitat‑friendly trail design, seasonal closures if needed, weed management, restoration projects, and ongoing monitoring.

Access would remain public. JCPOS may standardize hours, trail etiquette, and enforcement to match county‑wide practices for clarity and safety.

This topic will need to be clarified and would be dependent on agreement language. Any changes would go through planning, balancing recreation with resource protection and wildfire mitigation.

JCPOS integrates fuel reduction, defensible space, trail siting, and operational readiness into their land management to reduce risk while protecting habitat.

They would align with JCPOS county‑wide standards (e.g., dawn‑to‑dusk hours, posted trail etiquette), improving consistency and enforcement.

Likely yes, on‑leash, consistent with JCPOS policy where appropriate. Final details would be set in management guidelines and signage.

JCPOS rangers provide patrol, education, and enforcement, working with local partners to promote safe, responsible use.

No. KCRMA’s private open space areas and rules would not be impacted by this proposal.

JCPOS has dedicated crews, standards, and budgets for trail maintenance, wayfinding, interpretive signs, and visitor safety information.

Costs vary by year. A key consideration: transferring to JCPOS would reduce operating and staff burden on KCRMD and the MA Open Space Department so those resources can be redeployed. (See KCRMD financials for SHOS operating budgets.)

KCRMD would no longer directly manage a large regional open space unit, which decreases maintenance, planning, enforcement, and capital obligations.

Yes. MD and MA staff time devoted to South Hogback could be refocused on other programs, facilities and community services.

JCPOS is primarily funded by a countywide sales tax. Residents who shop in Jefferson County contribute to that fund. This proposal does not add a new tax.

No new taxes are proposed as part of this concept.

Savings and staff capacity could support program enhancements, facility upkeep, and community‑driven priorities identified through public input.

It builds on the plan’s stewardship priorities, leveraging JCPOS capacity to implement conservation & cultural preservation strategies developed through the planning process.

View the South Hogback Management Plan

It honors the Task Force’s emphasis on resource protection, responsible access, and long‑term sustainability.

The Foundation led efforts in the 1990s to preserve South Hogback. The reverter clause and JCPOS stewardship reinforce that preservation intent.

Community leaders and supporters helped organize funding (public and private) and build the case for preservation, ensuring the land remained public and undeveloped.

Through permanent open space protections, ongoing public access, and transparent management anchored in the community’s values.

Exploratory—evaluations, due diligence, and public engagement are underway.

KCR Foundation would either need to provide written consent from their respective Board granting permission to transfer the property. And/or the Foundation agrees to carry their respective reverter into the legal language associated with property transfer. This would provide an additional level of protection for the property and would be the preference of KCRMD if deemed appropriate. This would be in cooperation with public outreach and feedback, board deliberations, legal and title work, drafting of exchange terms (including reverter language), and any required county approvals.

The KCRMD Board and the appropriate Jefferson County authorities (e.g., Board of County Commissioners/JCOS governance, as applicable) would consider public input and formalize any actions.

Likely board actions on both sides, plus any statutory, policy & legal requirements related to land disposition, acceptance, and open space designation. Final standards on service levels and consideration associated with the South Hogback Management Plan.

Criteria include public benefit, resource protection, financial prudence, operational feasibility, and alignment with community values and plans.

Via public meetings, surveys, emails and comment portals publicized by KCRMD.

Committee of the Whole: Feb. 24, 2026, 5 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Metro District Manager Chad Meinert

Yes. KCRMD will schedule public touchpoints during the exploratory phase. Information for the first meeting is below.

Committee of the Whole: Feb. 24, 2026, 5 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Metro District Manager Chad Meinert

All comments will be reviewed and summarized for the community and the KCRMD Board; key themes will be addressed in updated FAQs, public briefings, and revisions to the concept as appropriate.

Absolutely. Community feedback is critical and can shape scope, timing and terms.

On KCRMD’s official communication channels (website, e-News, meeting agendas, social media).

By sharing clear timelines, documents, meeting notices, and regular updates, and by providing multiple ways to engage.

A community-owned Community Center with a strong investment plan; a well-protected South Hogback benefiting from JCOS’s conservation capacity; and residents enjoying both for generations.

By locking in open space protections, enhancing recreation and education, and ensuring fiscally responsible management of key assets.

KCRMD would continue current arrangements, and both parties could pursue other options for stewardship and facility planning.

Exploratory phases often include alternatives, from modified exchanges to enhanced agreements without a transfer. These will be informed by public input.

Property remains with KCRMD
Long-term property protections/easements
Lease option of SHOS to JCPOS
Other third-party management

It aligns responsibilities with the entity best equipped for each role—local ownership for the Community Center and regional conservation expertise for South Hogback—helping ensure financial, operational, and environmental sustainability.

KCRMD currently holds responsibility for operating, capital, and long‑term maintenance costs associated with the Community Center and South Hogback Open Space, and these responsibilities are actively being managed today. Prior to considering any potential transfer, KCRMD will re‑evaluate operating expenses, capital improvement needs, liabilities, and long‑term maintenance obligations for both properties. This comprehensive review will help determine whether the proposed exchange is financially responsible, sustainable, and in the best long‑term interest of the community.

Yes. All known deferred maintenance items and anticipated capital improvement needs will be clearly identified and documented as part of the evaluation process, ensuring transparency and informed decision‑making. This financial responsibility currently resides with KCRMD and is actively being managed. Additional detail can be found in KCRMD’s 10‑Year Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines current and planned investments in community facilities and infrastructure.

Currently, KCRMD is responsible for repairs, capital improvements, insurance coverage, and liability associated with these properties, and those responsibilities are actively being managed today. Any future responsibilities following a potential transfer would be clearly defined in formal, legally binding agreements to ensure continued accountability and to protect both KCRMD and Jefferson County from unexpected financial or legal exposure.

Any agreements would include safeguards (example the reverter tool) designed to maintain expected levels of service, access, and maintenance. These safeguards help ensure that community amenities and open space quality are preserved or enhanced over time.

Standards for management, maintenance, conservation, and public access would be clearly defined, drawing from JCPOS best practices and existing South Hogback management priorities developed with in the management plan.

Standards of service would be included in an intergovernmental agreement or similar legally enforceable document to ensure long-term accountability and clarity.

Regular public reporting on performance, maintenance, and compliance with agreed-upon standards could be required, ensuring continued transparency and community engagement.