FAQs • Summit County, CO • CivicEngage

What is Open Space?: Open space is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is visible or accessible to the public. The Summit County Open Space & Trails Department is funded by property taxes and uses these funds to acquire properties for open space. The Open Space & Trails Department identifies, protects and manages open spaces, trails and trailheads to preserve and maintain Summit County's rural mountain character, unique natural areas and high quality of life for residents and visitors.

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Open Space & Trails

1. What is Open Space?: Open space is any open piece of land that is undeveloped (has no buildings or other built structures) and is visible or accessible to the public. The Summit County Open Space & Trails Department is funded by property taxes and uses these funds to acquire properties for open space. The Open Space & Trails Department identifies, protects and manages open spaces, trails and trailheads to preserve and maintain Summit County's rural mountain character, unique natural areas and high quality of life for residents and visitors.

2. How do I volunteer for Open Space and Trails?: Please see the Volunteer Information page. For additional information or questions, call Allison Mitchell at 970-668-4213 or email Allison.Mitchell@SummitCountyCO.gov.
Volunteer Information

3. How do I help protect additional land as Open Space?: If you own land or know of anyone who is interested in selling property that you feel has open space values, Open Space staff welcomes discussing this with you. Summit County has also accepted many qualified property donations as open space, and landowners are sometimes able to realize significant tax benefits for their donation. For additional information or questions, please contact Brian Lorch at 970-668-4067 or email Brian.Lorch@SummitCountyCo.gov.

4. Why are some Open Space properties closed to the public?: Some of Summit County’s largest open space properties have been protected by conservation easement. This means that the property is still privately owned and the landowner is not required to provide public access, but he/she has given up the right to develop the land, thereby preserving its scenic and natural resources qualities. Please respect the private property rights of these conservation-minded landowners.

5. What are the rules and regulations for the Recreation Pathway (Recpath)?: Please see the Rules & Regulations page. For additional information or questions, contact Allison Mitchell at 970-668-4213 or email Allison.Mitchell@SummitCountyCO.gov
Recpath Regulations

6. What are the rules and regulations for Open Space properties?: Please see the Rules & Regulations page. For additional information or questions, contact Christine.Zenel at 970-668-4061 or email Christine.Zenel@SummitCountyCO.gov.
Open Space Regulations

7. What is the OSAC and when does it meet?: The Summit County Open Space Advisory Council is a citizen-appointed board responsible for recommending open space acquisition priorities to the Board of County Commissioners, along with providing input on the County’s overall Open Space protection program. Open Space Advisory Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Buffalo Mountain room of the County Commons building in Frisco. (Please note that as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and associated Public Health Restrictions, the Open Space Advisory Council is meeting virtually via webmeeting.)

8. Where can I hike with my dog?: Most open space properties are open to hiking with your dog subject to Summit County Animal Control Regulations, but there may be site-specific restriction to conform with adjacent land uses. Please read and follow signage. Along the Recpath, pets must be on a leash (under “Physical Control” as that term is defined in section 6.7 of the Animal Control Regulations.)

9. Where can I report trail problems, or other concerns regarding Summit County Open Space Properties?: Please report any open space issues by calling Christine Zenel at 970-668-4061 or email Christine.Zenel@SummitCountyCo.gov.

10. How do I book a special event or special use?: Please see the Special Events page. For additional information, contact Allison Mitchell at 970-668-4213 or email Allison.Mitchell@SummitCountyCO.gov. or Jordan Mead at 970-668-4065 or email at Jordan.Mead@SummitCountyCo.gov.
Special Events

11. Can I hunt or fish on Open Space Property?: Hunting is NOT allowed on any open space property, but trail access is allowed for those carrying firearms to adjacent areas. Fishing is allowed strictly in accordance with all applicable state and local regulations.

12. Can I sign up to adopt sections of the Recpath or County Road?: Yes, if you would like to adopt a section of the Recpath, please contact Allison Mitchell at 970-668-4213 or email Allion.Mitchell@SummitCountyCO.gov. For road adoption information, please contact Marsha Miller at 970-668-3590 or email Marsha.Miller@SummitCountyco.gov.
Volunteer Information

13. Can I book Sapphire Point for an event?: Reservations for Sapphire Point can be made by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or visiting their website,
Recreation.gov.

14. Are motorized vehicles/devices allowed on the Recpath?: No, motorized vehicles are not typically allowed on the Recpath, with limited exceptions for persons with disabilities. Other exceptions include motorized vehicles used for official emergency, law enforcement or County authorized maintenance purposes. The section of Recpath in the Bill’s Ranch Subdivision is open to motorized use for the sole purpose of providing access to and from properties by area homeowners and their guest. Please see the Rules & Regulations page for more information. Recpath Regulations

15. Can I drive my snowmobile on the Recpath?: Snowmobiles are not permitted on the Recpath. For additional information, please see section 3 of the Recreation Pathway Regulations, Recpath Regulations.

16. Can I reserve the Blue River Park/Fields?: Reservation can be made through the Building and Grounds Department at 970-668-4229.

17. Is the Recpath plowed in the winter?: Sections of the Recpath in unincorporated Summit County are not plowed in the winter and are open for cross-county skiing, snowshoeing and other forms of non-motorized winter recreation. The Towns of Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne plow the Recpaths within Town limits.

18. Can I swim in the Dillon Reservoir? Windsurf?: Water contact activities such as swimming (by humans or dogs) and water skiing in Dillon Reservoir is strictly prohibited. Windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding are allowed with a full body wet or dry suit. For additional information about recreation on the Dillon Reservoir, see Dillon Reservoir Recreation.

19. Can I hold a wedding on Open Space property?: Weddings are not permitted on Open Space properties. Please visit the Special Events page for more information. Special Events

20. How do I reserve a campsite?: Campgrounds in Summit County are administered by the US Forest Service, Dillon Ranger District (970) 468-5400. Reservations can be made by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or their by visiting their website, Recreation.gov.

21. Who manages the Recreation Pathway System (Recpath)?: Summit County Open Space & Trails Department manages the Recpath outside of town boundaries. Each of the towns manages the Recpath within their jurisdiction; Town of Frisco, Town of Breckenridge, Town of Dillon, and Town of Silverthorne.

22. Can I pan for gold on Open Space property?: No, it is unlawful to remove any natural resource, including minerals, from Open Space properties.