Target Issues

We are excited to announce that Lindsey Daugherty, newly elected to State Senate District 19, will be sponsoring an Equestrian Bill of Rights in the 2025 legislative session!  Community Equestrian has been engaged with Senator Daugherty throughout 2024 to explore issues confronting our equestrian community.  We feel the Equestrian Bill of Rights, which focuses on establishing Representation on Comprehensive Master Plans and Safety Initiatives will be foundational to protecting and preserving the equestrian community in our growing metropolitan area.  

Table Mountain Ranch Equestrian Center was one of the largest and most historic equestrian centers serving Jefferson County for nearly 50years.  It was sold to Remington Homes in 2023 and closed in 2024 in preparation for a new housing development.  

The loss of this facility to the equestrian community is devastating, but Community Equestrian and Remington Homes have engaged in promising work together.  Remington Homes has agreed to donate the remaining equipment and fixtures of the farm to local equestrian nonprofits so that they can continue to serve the horse community.  We are also engaged with helping to shape the site plan for the new development in a way that preserves access to Table Mountain for equestrians, and honors Table Mountain Ranch's legacy to the community.  

Jefferson County is approaching the end of its Together Jeffco project, public engagement in updating the comprehensive master plan for the county.  Community Equestrian, along with its sister advocacy groups and community partners, have actively participated in surveys, work sessions, and feedback to shape this plan.  We are confident that the equestrian voice has been heard and equestrian issues will be represented in the new plan.  The first draft is expected to be ready for review before the end of 2024.

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Community Equestrian has worked steadily through 2024 to build relationships and partnerships outside of the horse community to build awareness and support from our non-horse friends and neighbors.  We have partnered with members of the biking community to support trail projects and initiatives.  We have partnered with HOA coalitions advocating for better land use and planning.  And we have conducted steady outreach and personalized tours of our community with governmental leaders to raise awareness and support.

In 2025 we have goals to promote the horse in our community through outreach programs designed to bring the non-horse public and horse community together.  Stay tuned!

In December 2023, a motorist carelessly collided with one of our own members of the equestrian community and her horse Griffin while enjoying a typical day of riding on their typical route along the road edge between their barn and the trails they rode regularly.  Our equestrian survived, but her horse, Griffin did not.  The horrific tragedy of that event lingers in the minds of every equestrian and has been a call to action.  The issue of how to improve equestrian safety in our growing community is complicated.  The answers lie in shaping public policy and development to better accommodate equines, and in promoting equestrian life to the public to improve understanding and awareness.  This tragedy has been one of the driving forces behind Community Equestrian's efforts and we hope to honor Griffin with the successful passage of the Equestrian Bill of Rights in 2025. 

This facility is owned by the City of Arvada and is presently leased through 2026 to a private operator.  We believe this vital asset is being underutilized and the potential to better serve the needs of the equestrian community needs to be addressed.  Community Equestrian intends to pursue a meaningful plan forward for this asset in 2025.