The City Council created the Open Space Board of Trustees to set policies and priorities for acquisition of greenbelt lands. The sales tax revenues, coupled with passage of a charter amendment in 1971 allowing City Council to issue bonds for the acquisition of open space, set into motion an aggressive open space acquisition program. The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the City and County in 1978, recognizes open space as providing the basic structure for the Plan. Today, Boulder citizens enjoy over 37,058 acres of open space land in and around the city. Some of the land is in agricultural production, preserving the historic nature of Boulder County while keeping the land open for wildlife and passive recreational uses.
Bicyclists enjoy riding on designated trails.
Agencie s F or years, employees of the city of Boulder's Open Space and Real Estate cooperated with the staff of the Boulder Mountain Parks, a division of Boulder 's Parks and Recreation Department. Rangers from both agencies provided back up for each other. A fire or rescue effort brought both staffs together. Nature hikes and programs were listed in an integrated schedule. And the annual De-Haunting Halloween program featured presenters from both departments.