Jefferson Foundation honors Jefferson County Open Space at 22nd Crystal Ball

October 29, 2007 Lakewood, CO - Thirty-five years ago, a core group of visionarycitizens looked at Jefferson County. It was the fifth fastest growing county in the U.S. at that time, and encompassed a rich assortment of environments: from mountains to plains. The consequences of urban sprawl and unrestricted development versus smart, mixed-use areas and well-designed neighborhoods, was well known.

Volunteers manned a grass-roots effort and lobbied the voters to pass a one-half of one percent cent sales tax that would support planning, acquiring, maintaining and preserving open space properties. Despite rocky beginnings and adverse maneuvering to divert funding to other civic projects, Jefferson County Open Space remains a 55,000 acre treasure available to every citizen along the Front Range. The award-winning parks and trails have truly made Jefferson County the Gateway to the Rockies.

On November 10, 2007, The Jefferson Foundation celebrates its 22nd annual Crystal Ball at the Grand Hyatt Denver, by saying: "Hats Off to You!" with the presentation of the Crystal Globe for Distinguished Service Award to Jefferson County Open Space.

In addition, the Board of the Jefferson Foundation will present a special "Lifetime Service Award" to former Jeffco Legislator and education advocate, Norma Anderson. Receiving the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award are graduates of Columbine High School, Todd Park Mohr, (1984), Rob Squires (1983) and Brian Nevin (1984), who are members of the popular rock band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

The Jefferson Foundation is the oldest Colorado non-profit K-12 public education foundation. It engages community support and gathers resources to fund programs and experiences for the students of Jeffco Public Schools. The Crystal Ball provides funding for Jefferson Foundation programs.

For more information contact Anton Delgado: 303-982-2210 www.jeffersonfoundation.org