Engagement

In January 2024 we  met with State Representative Lindsey Daugherty to explore the potential for this plan.  Using her feedback we have engaged in stakeholder meetings with various groups and will continue to do so. Our plan is to get to work this summer drafting a bill to fund a study on the feasibility of Equestrian Legacy Corridors.

Jefferson County is currently in the final phase of revising their comprehensive plan and we have been actively engaged in this process along with our partner organization, the Jefferson County Horse Council, in order to represent the equestrian community.  We will continue to engage with the county on land use and planning, and following zoning changes that impact the equestrian community to keep our community aware and educated on how to be involved in the process of advocating for itself.

• Surveyed and submitted equestrian property and assets overlay to be incorporated into JMAP system

• Presented equestrian challenges promoted solution engagement with Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee at public meeting

• Organized meeting with horse community leadership and Jeffco leadership, Abel Montoya, to introduce Equestrian Legacy Corridors and explore precedents to preserve and sustain equestrian community in Jeffco

We began our journey engaging with the city of Arvada on other local issues, and we will continue to stay actively involved with them.  Arvada is a key equestrian community and requires strong representation from the horse scene.  We believe our collaborative approach to working as partners with the city will result in positive support and change for equestrians here.

• City Council and program leaders:  CE has held private meetings and continues ongoing engagement with council members and program leaders 

• Arvada at Parks Advisory Committee:  CE has presented to this group formally and continues ongoing engagement to address trails and equestrian assets

The Colorado equestrian community needs to come together to make its presence known and voice heard on a whole range of issues if it wants to secure its place on the Front Range.   Community Equestrian is working to unite the Colorado horse community through a liaison program of representation.  Please visit our Community Equestrian website for more information on how to become part of the team and to sign up for the email list to stay informed.

• Community Equestrian has been conducting ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders:  Colorado Counties Inc., Colorado Association of Home Builders, Department of Agriculture, CSU

• Community Equestrian regularly attends meetings and engages with horse groups across the Front Range,.  These meeting are group meetings or 1:1 conversations with the following equine entities:

  • •  Trail riding clubs

    • Breed organizations; equine disciplines Ie dressage etc

    •  Boarding facilities / Barn owners

    •  Veterinarian practices / Horse Shoers / Message and Chiropractic Providers

    • Feed stores / Tack Stores

We will need the support of our friends and neighbors outside the horse community if we are to survive, and we know we have a lot of folks who do support us.  We have made strategic partners with the biking community, with HOA coalitions, and key industry professionals.  We continually find that our goals and objectives generally align with most of our neighbors in the ELC area wanting to preserve open space buffers and preserve quality of life assets like ours.

• Colorado Mountain Bike Association

• Ralston Valley Coalition

• McIntyre Neighbors

• Lent Parker Law, LLC

• Golden Historical Society

• Jefferson County Historical Society

There are many conservation groups that will be key partners in our efforts to establish ELC.  We will be exploring the details of how these groups can assist with funding and other programs to assist our efforts to advance Equestrian Legacy Corridors.

• American Horse Council

• Trust for Public Lands

• Equine Land Conservation Resource

• Colorado Open Lands

• Great Outdoors Colorado