A recent announcement involving the preservation of open space in Colorado was rather startling. Denver Mountain Parks (DMP) and Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) split the cost of a critical piece of property. As a result, they have created 4,000-plus acres of contiguous public land.

The achievement is remarkable. Never before had these groups purchased property together.

Land deals are usually complicated, made more complex when they involve different governmental bodies. Persuading citizen committees, elected officials, and city and county parks staff to pull in the same direction is a feat to be celebrated. Both DMP and JCOS have a significant dedicated sales tax to use for these kinds of acquisitions.

Preserving this land protects an important elk migration corridor and also limits development. It’s likely that one day trails will be constructed that will allow members of the public to connect from Elk Meadow Park through Denver Mountain Parks into Arapaho National Forest.

The open space is three times the size of Garden of the Gods Park. Imagine the opportunities that are possible with that much land.

Trust for Public Land helped broker the deal. Just picture standing before a huge puzzle with one small piece near the middle missing. All that was left to acquire to complete the puzzle was 167 acres. Each organization shouldered half the cost, $1.5 million.

There are opportunities for similar partnerships in the Pikes Peak region. Pineries and its 1,070 acres is a popular El Paso County open space. The center of the open space is privately owned and could one day be developed. But what if the county could raise money to buy the “doughnut hole” and TOPS (Trails, Parks and Open Space) helped pay for it. The TOPS ordinance allows TOPS dollars to be used for land purchases outside city boundaries. What a wonderful resource for the entire county to enjoy!

I’m guessing the Elk-Bergen purchase started as a novel idea that few believed could be accomplished. How satisfying it will be for those visionaries to one day watch the elk as they hike those trails.

Susan Davies is executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition.