Clear Creek Trail update: staff urge focus on canyon‑to‑Idaho Springs connection as Jeffco advances

County staff and the Open Space Commission brought an updated status report and maps for the Clear Creek Trail to the board on June 16, urging a near‑term focus on connecting the canyon to Idaho Springs as Jefferson County advances several segments up the canyon.

Martha Tableman presented the refreshed maps and a memo showing built trail sections, proposed alignments and trailheads. She said Jefferson County expects to complete about 2 miles of trail and may open another segment by fall; the timing for full connectivity remains uncertain. Commissioners said completing the canyon‑to‑Idaho Springs link would create immediately useful connectivity and commercial‑center access that would improve trail utility for both tourists and locals.

The board revisited long‑standing alignment debates in Dumont (the DLD area) and private‑property constraints near the former LDS church property; commissioners noted the 2005 plan included two alternate alignments and that the issue remains unresolved. Staff suggested staging construction to focus on strategically valuable segments rather than trying to build every off‑road section at once.

Funding strategies discussed included using CDOT construction work (frontage‑road improvements) as part of local match, applying for federal and regional grants (TAP/Dr. COG/GOKO) and seeking foundation support. Staff also noted operational and maintenance trade‑offs: off‑road trails increase construction and maintenance costs and require additional parking, restrooms and enforcement resources; commissioners emphasized the need for trail work plans and Open Space input when budgeting.

Commissioners asked staff to prioritize the canyon connection, continue coordination with Jefferson County and CDOT, and return with targeted, design‑ready cost estimates to support grant applications.

A separate item on an intergovernmental agreement among trail stakeholders is expected on a future agenda.