Welcome to the Friends of Conifer Parks & Recreation Website

Candidate profiles are available for viewing. 

Application for mail-in ballot.

Link to the Service Plan.

Formation of Conifer Parks and Recreation District

An election will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at West Jefferson Elementary School, 26501 Barkley Road, Conifer, CO to form the Conifer Area Parks and Recreation District.

The only issues on the ballot are to:

• Form a park and recreation district
• Elect five directors

• 3 directors for a 4-year term
• 2 directors for a 2-year term

There will be no mil or new taxes as a result of this election.

If approved by voters, the Conifer Parks and Recreation District will be a governmental entity, bound by all Colorado laws governing special districts.  Meetings will be open to the public, and the board of directors will be elected every two years by eligible voters of the districts.

The new governmental entity cannot levy taxes without a future vote of district eligible voters.  The elected directors would have to vote at a public meeting to put a tax levy on the ballot, and the majority of voters would have to approve it at the polls before any taxes can be levied.

A Parks and recreation district would bring access to funding:

• Immediately receive Park Impact Fees of $73,645 and other amounts collected in future years.  These funds are being held in Jefferson County coffers and can ONLY be given to a parks and recreation district.  If no district is formed, out community will lose this money to another Jeffco parks and recreation district.
• Could seek grants from GOCO, which is funded by lottery proceeds.  In spring 2010, GOCO gave $9.3 million in grants.  Examples of GOCO funded projects in Jefferson County are:

• Dakota Hogback/Ken Caryl Ranch Foundation - Trail
• Athletic Field Development at the Ridge at West Meadows/Foothills Park & Recreation
• Bear Creek Lake Park Environmental Education Building/City of Lakewood
• Historic preservation projects

• Could apply for private, federal, state and county grants, including Jefferson County Open Space Joint Venture Grants, which amounts to as much as $2 million each year.

Partnerships

The new parks and recreation district could partner with local schools, libraries and local community groups and historical society to expand recreational services in our community.  For example, Jeffco Public Schools and the Jeffco Public Library have a partnership to house the Conifer library at the high school.  The high school administration has expressed similar interest in partnering with a parks and recreation district.  The district could also partner with Jeffco Open Space properties, such as Beaver Ranch, to offer joint activities and work together to improve existing community amenities or develop new community resources.

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Thank you for your support!