Evergreen Audubon has been following the proposal for a mountain bike park on Shadow Mountain Road in Conifer. The park, if approved, would be located on 273 acres of land that belongs to Colorado State Land Trust and is zoned for agricultural use, 2 miles west of the intersection of CO 73 and Shadow Mountain Road. Plans for the park call for a lift to transport bicycles and riders to the top, 16 miles of trails, a 300-car parking lot, and various buildings to a lodge, restrooms, and shops. Developers are currently seeking a Special Use zoning variance from the county. 

Chapter members surveyed the property, which includes wetlands, valuable wildlife habitat, and a pristine mountain meadow, and reported that it is valuable habitat for wildlife and native plant species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also assessed the property and reported to the Planning Commission.

Specifically, CPW said that habitat loss from development of the area threatens several species of flora and fauna by decreasing the availability of food, water, shelter, and space. CPW stated that the Shadow Mountain Bike Park will irreparably harm existing habitat and displace wildlife living in and migrating through the proposed development area.

We encourage members to learn more about the proposal by visiting Stop Bike Park. This website has a great deal of information, including links to the Jeff Co. Planning Commission website and the various documents and responses on file with the county. Talking points and sample letters are also included.  Please send your comments to case manager Dylan Monke, (dmonke@jeffco.us), and county commissioners Tracy Kraft Tharp (tktharp@jeffco.us), Andy Kerr (akerr@jeffco.us), and Leslie Dahlkemper (ldahlkem@jeffco.us).