Crashing is part of cycling as crying is part of love.
Johan Museeuw
- The Lion of Flanders
By Jane Reuter
COLORADO. The proposed Shadow Mountain Bike Park in Conifer is set for public hearings, igniting a passionate debate among community members. Scheduled for September, these hearings will allow both supporters and opponents to voice their opinions as the Jefferson County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners consider a special use application for the development. If approved, this lift-served bike park could become a unique destination in Colorado, but concerns over environmental impact and community safety loom large.
The Shadow Mountain Bike Park proposal, spearheaded by developers Phil Bouchard and Jason Evans, aims to create a lift-served, downhill mountain biking experience on 230 acres of land owned by the State Land Board. The park would feature 16 miles of trails, a 300-car parking lot, and a lodge, operating from April to October. Bouchard envisions the park opening in 2025, pending approval of the special use application, which is critical for moving forward with a detailed site development plan. Check out the article on ‘Misinformation About Our Bike Park‘ by ShadowMountainBikePark.com.
The Jefferson County Planning Commission will hold a meeting on September 11 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss the rezoning necessary for the park. Following this, the Board of County Commissioners will review the proposal on September 24 at 9 a.m. Both meetings will take place at the Jefferson County administration building in Golden. These hearings provide a platform for community members to express their views, and both sides are preparing to present their arguments. Bouchard believes the park will fill a significant void in Colorado’s mountain biking community, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. “I think it will be about a two-year process to get it fully built,” he stated. “We might be able to open in some capacity next year, but maybe the visitor center wouldn’t be yet built.”
However, the proposal has faced significant backlash from local residents, who have raised numerous concerns about the park’s potential impact. Opponents, organized under the “Stop the Bike Park” group, highlight issues such as increased traffic on the already narrow and dangerous Shadow Mountain Drive, potential strain on emergency services, and environmental degradation. John Lewis, a member of the opposition group, expressed the community’s determination to fight the proposal. “We’re ready; we want to fight our war,” he said. “We’ve been preparing for the public hearing, and we’ve got a lot of people that want to testify.”Residents fear that the park will disrupt the community’s character and safety, with concerns about traffic accidents and emergency response capacity. “If they really had a sense of caring about this community, they would have known right away it’s not safe,” said Barbara Moss Murphy, co-chair of Stop the Bike Park.
The proposed bike park is expected to significantly increase traffic on Shadow Mountain Drive, which already experiences a high number of accidents. Opponents argue that the developers’ traffic studies are flawed and that the projected visitor numbers could lead to dangerous conditions. Paul Olson, a civil engineer and member of Stop the Bike Park, emphasized the need for accurate traffic assessments, stating, “The visitation they have guessed at could be totally wrong.”In contrast, Bouchard asserts that the park’s traffic will be manageable, with a parking lot designed to accommodate 300 vehicles, all requiring reservations for day passes. He believes that the projected traffic for Shadow Mountain Drive is well within the limits outlined by Jefferson County.
Environmental concerns are also at the forefront of the opposition’s arguments. Critics argue that the park’s development will harm local wildlife habitats and wetland areas. Lewis pointed out that the construction could lead to runoff issues that would affect the ecosystem. “All the runoff they’re going to create by carving 100 acres out of that hillside will go into the wetlands,” he warned. Bouchard acknowledges that any development will have impacts but insists that their proposal aligns with the Colorado State Land Board’s vision for responsible land use. He believes that the park will not only serve recreational needs but also contribute positively to the community.
As the public hearings approach, both sides are mobilizing support. The Stop the Bike Park group has gathered over 5,000 signatures on a petition opposing the development. Murphy stated, “If the county commissioners listen to the constituents, they have the power to make this right; they can stop this.”Regardless of the planning commission’s recommendation, the special use application will proceed to the Board of County Commissioners for further consideration. If both commissions approve the application, the developers can then apply for a site development plan, which will detail construction specifics and necessary permits.
The upcoming public hearings for the Shadow Mountain Bike Park in Conifer represent a critical moment for the community. As proponents advocate for a unique recreational opportunity, opponents raise valid concerns about safety, environmental impact, and community character. The outcome of these hearings will shape the future of this proposed bike park and its implications for the Conifer area.
