A free Public Forum on acquisition, management and use of public open space in Boulder County, sponsored by diverse local organizations and citizen activists, is scheduled for Saturday 830am  100pm on September 21, 2002 at the All Commons Room, East Boulder Community Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, Boulder.

Barbara Taylor, chair of the Steering Committee for the half-day Conference, explains that the purpose of the forum is to encourage dialogue among diverse groups, including users, preservationists, and government land custodians, with an eye toward finding approaches to land management that will balance the needs of all citizens.

"We envision the forum as a means to give voice to all residents of Boulder County on this important issue.  With so much of our [tax] money going into the acquisition of open space, it’s time to reach agreement on some common goals for how that land will be used and managed in the years to come. We expect this conference will serve as a vital first step in that process."

The Conference features Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar as the keynote speaker. Mr. Salazar was formerly the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, and has served as chief legal counsel to the Governor. He was chair of the Rio Grande Compact Commission and chair of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund. He has been a farmer and natural resources lawyer practicing water, environmental and public lands law for 11 years in the private sector. Mr. Salazar is a strong advocate for the purchase of open space, and will be speaking about one of his favorite programs, the "Crown Jewels" Project, which includes management of the future Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

FORUM PARTICIPANTS  Ken Foelske as moderator (Jefferson County Open Space Planning Manager), and panelists 

• Ron Stewart, Boulder County Parks & Open Space Director, 
• Larry McDonnell, Chair of the City of Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees, 
• Justin Dombrowski, City of Boulder Wildfire Management Officer, 
• Ed Mills, President of Friends Interested in Dogs (FIDO’s),  
• Suzanne Webel  (President of the Boulder County Horse Association and Vice President of Boulder Area Trails Coalition ), 
• Tim Bluementhal of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and Kevin Probst President of the Land Use Coalition (LUC).

Forum registration is free, but space is limited, so it’s recommended that attendees reserve a seat in advance.  Refreshments will be served.

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Contacts 

• Barbara Taylor  303-444-9508
• Ann Mygatt 303-449-8007

A glut of recent opinion letters, editorials and guest editorials have appeared in local newspapers expressing many different -- and sometimes opposing -- points of view, reflecting that management and use of open space keenly affects the residents of Boulder County.

Questions put to the panelists by audience members may include the following   

· Should the purchase of open space be used for public uses or as a tool to prevent growth?

· Why should open Space be closed to the public?

· What is the responsibility of each of us to define "common ground" with respect to open space?  

· How much open space do we need?  How much more is available, and at what cost?  Is there a master plan for future acquisitions? 

· Multiple uses and users  how do we prioritize and balance?

· Should one user group (i.e. bikers, Native Americans) have preference in certain areas?

Prominent representatives of user groups, public managers of open space and preservation groups will put the issues on the table, give their positions and points of view, followed by Q & A.  Interactive breakout sessions will follow, assisted by professional facilitators designed to generate creative solutions to the problems posed by panel participants.

WHERE  All Commons Room, East Boulder Community Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Drive Boulder.

WHEN  Saturday, September 21, 2002

• 830    Registration and Refreshments
• 900    Opening and Introductions
• 905    Keynote address
• 935    1100  Panel Discussion
• 1105  1200   Facilitated Breakout Session
• 1200  1245   Summary &Wrap up

Boulder County, City of Louisville, Friends Dog Owners (FIDO),  Boulder County

Horse Association (BCHTC), Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO),

International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), Land Use Coalition (LUC) and other concerned citizens.