Equestrian Legacy Corridors is an ambitious and innovative plan to obtain legislative and financial support for the preservation of our equestrian legacy through the acquisition of land and facilities in the metro area. The plan will focus on targeting the western Jefferson county suburbs for key property to sustain the equine community for future generations near existing open space or equestrian amenities.
Community Equestrian presented this plan in January to state representative Lindsey Dougherty who has signaled her support and is working with Community Equestrian to connect us with key stakeholders to further develop the details needed to bring a bill to the floor next session.
All the barns listed below have sold. Some to developers for future housing projects, some to be converted into alternative uses. Some will remain open for a year or two more but will close when the builders are ready to demolish. This list accounts for over 500 horses. 500 horses that generated income to veterinarians, farriers, trainers, feed stores, and more. 500 horses beloved by their people, most of whom had to choose moving them to neighboring counties, or moving themselves, sometimes to more horse friendly places in Colorado, sometimes out of state altogether. And some of us have had to let their horses go. The loss, economically, socially, and to future generations is tremendous. But there are creative solutions being explored, join us to help.
Table Mountain Ranch
Lakeview at Standly Lake
A Rising Star Equestrian Center
Amen Acres
Evening Star Farms
Fairmont Stables
As of January 2024, Jefferson County is about halfway through their reworking of their Master Plan scheduled for completion the end of 2024. It is critical that the horse community get involved in this process to shape policy. The Jefferson County Horse Council is actively engaged in this endeavor on behalf of the horse community. If you are interested in this project, we encourage you to join the Jefferson County Horse Council and offer your support.
Home | Jefferson County Horse Council
The Arvada Area Horseman's Association initiated a project in January 2024 to commission an independent equestrian master plan for NW Jeffco. This project is being called the Equestrian Conservation Coalition and is being managed by a third party who is looking to raise approximately $275,000 to fund the study. It is important to understand that such a study and independent plan has no enforceability unless adopted by local governments, which is why it is important to concurrently collaborate with the governmental process and build influence there. Such a study can also serve as a useful cross check and reference point to the data being used by city and county planners.
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. That is why we need an Advocacy Group like Community Equestrian who will make our collective voices heard.
This facility is owned by the City of Arvada and is leased to the Sundance School of Riding with a lease termination of late 2026. There has been increasing frustration in the local horse community as equestrian centers close and the lack of access to indoor arenas for riding in winter. While this facility is able to address the need, Sundance has resisted public access. Community Equestrian developed a plan in 2023 to bid for the lease with the City of Arvada and replace Sundance at the end of the lease term to bring a new program to the facility. We welcome other groups to do the same and encourage Sundance to revise their operations to accommodate the horse community in the meantime. Community Equestrian's goal is to see the facility serve the horse community to its best potential, regardless of who the operator is.
Join our team and help us strengthen Colorado's Equine Voice to preserve our equestrian heritage.
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