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Conifer trail system hopefuls look for support

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Contributed by: Karen Groves/YourHub.com on 8/27/2008

One of the challenges of building anything in the mountains - whether it's roads, houses, paths or bridges - is the mountains. Nothing's flat and unless you're a bird, distances, especially at an 8,120 foot altitude don't follow a straight line.

That may be one of the reasons it's been hard to institute a trail system in Conifer, but it's not stopping the Conifer Area Council trails committee from pursuing the concept to link schools, Jefferson County Open Space parks and the commercial stretch along U.S. 285 in Aspen Park.

Part of the problem is trying to link already established trails together to form a continuous community trail, because what exists is interrupted by privately owned property or commercial establishments.

However, some of the trail committee's efforts have resulted in success.

"We do have Open Space on board to make a link betwen Meyer Ranch and
and Flying J Ranch Open Space parks, and King Soopers has built a trail behind their building," said Punky Kiefer, a longtime resident of Conifer and volunteer on the trails committee.

She said the trails committee hoped to obtain grants to fund a portion that is alongside the Conifer commercial districts in Aspen Park, specifically Sutton Road. This would connect West Jeff Elementary school to King Soopers and Meyers Ranch to the west , a distnace of one-half mile.

Kiefer said the road was considered a good link because it's off the main road and busy traffic area that is home to the commercial business strip in Aspen Park on Conifer Road

There's just one, well maybe two hitches in the game plan.

Kiefer said a State Parks grant application requires the applicant to be either a 5013-c nonprofit, which the committee is or an entity like a rec center. The second condition is a little tougher.

"What we need in order to apply for grants from the State Parks is a commitment from an entity to maintain the trails for a 25-year-period."

Committee member and Conifer resident Pat Bouchard said, "Now that we have maps and potential trails outlined, our biggest goal is to raise enough money to apply for grants."

Kiefer said the committee has plans to approach local service clubs and groups for small grants. Committee members have been present at local events, like the Conifer Music Festival and the Heritage Festival and at Earth Day festivities at Red Rocks to spread the word. Committee members are selling caribiners for $5 apiece that Kiefer said would make great stocking stuffers.

But the big concern is their ability to meet a November deadline and apply for the state grant.

Bouchard said, "We have to show we are serious and have serious backing. The bottom line is it takes money to raise money."

Keifer said, "What we need right now is a big chunk of money, or some entity willing to support us. What we need is magic."

Will Kerns is a transportation planner for Jefferson County
Highways and Transportation Division. He said, "I have been watching the progress of the Conifer Area Council Trails Committee and I think that they are moving in the right direction and making progress. Things are starting to happen on the Jefferson County Government side as well, my co-workers and supervisors are supportive of the idea of planning a Conifer trails system. However, the Jefferson County Division of Highways and Transportation is in a budget conscious mode right now and can not commit funding to building this system. Regardless, the idea is out and taking hold in the collective mind of the community and I think that if the community focuses attention on a trails system, then trails will be built, it's just details that we are sorting right now as we remain focused on the overall vison. I'm very optimistic that we can develop an outstanding trails system and someday Conifer can become a walkable mountain village."

Upnext
The next Conifer Town Hall meeting will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at West Jeff Middle School, 9449 Barnes Ave., Conifer. The next Conifer Area Council trails meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Conifer High School library, 10441 County Road 73. For more information, visit www.coniferareacouncil.org.

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