Establishing Communities Through Open Space Preservation and Smart Growth Initiatives
Friday, March 31, 2006 from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm
Mr. Schell was appointed to the position of Director of the Community Resources Department and Open Space
Division in March of 1998. In this capacity, Mr. Schell oversees for the County the functions of the
Boettcher Mansion, Cooperative Extension and the Fairgrounds in addition to serving as the Director of the
Jefferson County Open Space Division.
Jefferson County Open Space was the first, county open space program in the nation.
Funded through a voter-approved, one-half of one-percent sales tax generating
$30 million in revenues annually, Open Space manages over 40,000 acres of trail-based
recreation lands within the unincorporated Jefferson County. These lands are
predominately characterized as the foothills interface of the mountains and the plains.
Open Space has acquired nearly 51,000 acres since its inception in 1972, with approximately
one-fifth of the acquired lands dedicated to the western suburban cities or leased to the
recreation districts for park and open space purposes. The future demand for undeveloped
lands and recreational opportunities is anticipated to continue to grow within the second
largest populated county in Colorado.
On site registration for the 2006 ASPA National Conference begins on Thursday, March 30.
Conducted by:
Ralph Schell received his degree in Outdoor Recreation Planning from Colorado State University in 1975.
Beginning his career as a trails planner for an emerging county open space program, it was only
a matter of time before he ventured into a larger arena by becoming a planner for Colorado State Parks.
His 20-year career with Colorado State Parks began as a planner and advanced through several positions
including State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Planner and Statewide Programs Supervisor before his
promotion to Administration Director in 1991. Mr. Schell worked in the park planning field, open space
and outdoor recreation for over 23 years before accepting his current position.