Magestic Mushroom Rock on the southern cliffs of Spruce Mountain, just east of Windy Point.

Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner

Douglas County ranks among the nation’s top 10 counties for income and growth. We know why we are here; it’s a quality of life thing. Since 1995, our county has acquired or protected $161 million of open space.

Go back 18 years. When Cheryl Matthews, Douglas County’s open space director and Larkspur rancher took office, she inventoried county lands. During ten months, 280 parcels were inspected, yielding a rich database of pictures, notes, and land dimensions.

A successful 1994 ballot issue ramped up further acquisition by providing the department with 17 percent of the county’s one percent sales tax. Through private sales, contributions and annual sales tax funding, Douglas County now owns or has protected 45,840 acres.

Securing land for public use is an art. Matthews’ focused efforts have made a huge impact, concentrating on large areas that deserve protection and on willing landholders who understand the philanthropic advantages of conveying their holdings to a public trust. Condemnation is never used.

Negotiations are often complicated and the county uses the services of The Conservation Fund with most large acquisitions. Its Greenland Ranch preservation project near Larkspur took from 1995 to 2000 to negotiate and cost a total of $70 million.

Among Douglas County crown jewels is Spruce Mountain. Five miles south of Larkspur on Spruce Mountain Road, this trail complex includes 320 acres at the top of the butte and another 617 acres around the bottom. Much of it came originally from the old Noe Ranch which liquidated enough land over the years to generate cash required for estate taxes.

See for yourself. Start early in the morning by climbing the butte from the east. Stop first at the Greenland Overlook. Hike further south to inspiration at Paddock’s Point and the view to Eagle Mountain. Move another mile into the loop to the Pike’s Peak panorama at Windy Point. Clamber back down via the west flank on a service road and then make a serpentine traverse of the wildflower meadows at tree line, closing out your five miles at the parking lot.

Next time you drive I-25 south of Castle Rock, survey the raw majesty in the 12 miles to the El Paso County Line exit. With most land controlled or protected through the efforts of professionals like Matthews, it’s a convincing visual statement about the alluring quality of life and environment in Douglas County.

To learn more about open space in Douglas County, go to www.douglas.co.us/dcoutdoors/.

View from the eastern bluffs of Spruce Mountain. This photo looks south along SH105 over Greenland and Palmer Lake area with Pike’s Peak partially exposed in the distance.