Colorado Wildlife Federation On November 12, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners denied the Special Use Application for Shadow Mountain Bike Park on a 2-1 vote. They cited wildlife impacts, the comprehensive management plan, and incompatibility with the neighborhood. The applicant continued to state they could not or would not extend closure of the bike park during elk calving, which had been urged by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Among the 60-plus people who testified was CWF’s board chair, Robin Knox. He pointed out he has lived in the area for 42 years and that elk calving always takes place later in the spring than the date on which the applicant stated they would open the park for the season.
Earlier, on September 23, the Jefferson County Planning Commission decided to reject the Special Use Application for the Shadow Mountain Bike Park on a 7-0 vote. This hearing followed earlier public testimony by 117 on September 11 and 12. As noted below, CWF testified in opposition to the proposed bike park. The design for this “directional use” bike park would feature a lift to the downward run, many trails and other infrastructure, eliminating much of the habitat. The Commission now forwards its recommendation to the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners. Staff earlier had recommended denial. The Planning Commission commended the applicant for their effort but determined the application failed to conform to the county master plan’s land use criteria. One was that the proposal failed to satisfactorily mitigate negative impacts. Commissioners noted the proposal’s failure to incorporate half of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) strongly recommended seasonal closure to protect this elk winter concentration area and late spring calving. It also provides crucial connectivity to the national forest. Other failings include noise, lack of an evacuation plan for the residential area (although the applicant said that would be discussed at a later stage), and lack of adequate emergency services. The Board of County Commissioners will convene on November 12 at 9:00 am.
On September 11 and 12 the Jefferson County Planning Commission heard testimony re the proposed Shadow Mountain bike park near Conifer. CWF testified in opposition to the proposed park due to its inappropriate location in the largest remaining connectivity to the national forest and movement habitat for elk, elk winter concentration area, and calving. Many other species inhabit this parcel as well. The State Land Board owns the parcel and has been exploring a lease to the applicant. The proposed bike park would be not simply a series of trails but would include a lift to access extreme downhill runs. Infrastructure would result in habitat destruction in most of this meadowed parcel, sedimentation in the riparian area, noise and lighting. The parking lot alone is planned to accommodate 320 parking spaces. The applicant has not agreed to the extent of seasonal closures recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in this High Priority Habitat. The clear majority of those who testified did so in opposition. It is gratifying to hear how much the local community values its wildlife. In addition to wildlife, experts raised issues of extreme wildfire risk, serious traffic problems, extraordinary problems of water quality and drainage, lack of medical facilities nearby, likely accidents on adjacent narrow curved roads, etc. County staff had recommended denial of rezoning in advance of the hearing due to noncompliance of the County’s master plan.