I can't tell you how many people have told me that they thought a vote against Referendum #1 would preserve the open space wildlife corridor that connects Green Mountain Park to the north and Bear Creek Lake Park to the south. The opposition to Referendum #1 has done a good job of confusing voters and focusing them on a ditch, a big home developer, land appraisals and the proponents' expensive color flyers. When considering this vote we should be focused on what is best for the city and the residents of Lakewood. I believe a vote
FOR Referendum #1 and the preservation of the open space wildlife corridor is the correct answer.
I have seen many changes in the Rooney Valley over the last 40 plus years. I grew up on Rooney Ranch on the west side of the valley and I have now lived on the east side of the valley for the last 14 years. I knew it was inevitable that the Rooney Valley would be developed some day. The Rooney Valley Master Plan was created to deal with the development of the Rooney Valley. I was involved in the Rooney Valley Master Plan community meetings over the last 10 years; as part of the Rooney family land owners and as a Lakewood resident. It was amazing to see representatives from the City of Lakewood, the Town of Morrison, Jefferson County Open Space and various land owners come together and contribute to the plan development. This master plan carves out the wildlife corridor as a preserved open space buffer between the existing homes and the proposed new home development.
The wildlife corridor at issue in Referendum #1 is used constantly by runners, bike riders, hikers, horseback riders, children, dogs, and many different kinds of wildlife. I see hundreds of people and animals use this corridor daily. It would be a shame to see this valuable open space corridor developed because misinformed Lakewood residents are confused and vote against Referendum #1. Please understand that a vote against Referendum #1 will not stop development in the Rooney Valley. However, a vote
FOR Referendum #1 would preserve this wildlife corridor forever.