CANYON AREA RESIDENTS for the ENVIRONMENT (CARE)
CARE is a nonprofit coalition of HOAs and neighborhood associations; it is an umbrella homeowners association in the Central Mountains of Jefferson County.
Purpose: to preserve and enhance the community and the environment, provide a forum for community deliberation and a unified affirmative action to promote positive governmental action consistent with the needs of the area.
CARE GEOGRAPHIC AREA
Jefferson County, the area between Clear Creek to the north and Bear Creek to the south, from the Hogback to the east to the western Border of Jefferson County. The CARE area is bisected by Mt. Vernon Canyon and Interstate 70 and includes Mt. Morrison, Genesee and Lininger Mountains, and Mt. Vernon.
Strength in Numbers
We live in a county with over a half million residents. In order to understand what political clout those living in the mountains have with Jefferson County government, we need to understand the demographics.
As of 2018, the unincorporated population of Jeffco is 195,663 out of a total county population of 565,230. One-third of the County’s residents live in unincorporated Jeffco.
Jefferson County is the first level of government for those almost 200,000 people who do not live in incorporated towns and cities. Jeffco’s Zoning laws and Board of Adjustment have a bigger impact on people in unincorporated Jeffco than these people who live under the authority of their local government on zoning matters.
By banding together, we gain a more effective voice with Jefferson County and other governmental agencies through our “strength in numbers” From 1987 to the present, CARE has monitored, alerted the community and fought numerous rezoning attempts that threatened to significantly change the character and health of the neighborhoods that are part of the CARE community.
This map generated from the 2000/2010 U.S. Census data breaks down population by area and shows how it has changed in that decade. Click HERE to download.
Read CARE JeffCo’s Bylaws …
Read about the Early History of CARE …
Creative Talents of our Community
Our neighbors are folks with many talents and ideas that have enhanced our community. For example, just before the turn of the century, Cynthia Pougalis, came up with the idea of resurrecting history and the old tourist route called the “Lariat Trail Loop”. Tourists would drive to Golden, up to Lookout Mountain, then to Evergreen and back down to Morrison. Along the way they would stop at the parks and explore the geology, history, wildlife and vistas of our area. CARE helped create a network of all the local museums along this route that grew, earned a grant and became the Lariat Loop Scenic Byway and organization. See http://www.lariatloop.org
CARE-sponsored tours have showcased the work of our talented artists and gardeners. Committees such as “Trails” and “Wildfire Prevention” help enhance and protect our community.
Delegates to the CARE Board
Each HOA and recognized association within the CARE area is entitled to a voting delegate to the CARE Board. If you are interested in becoming a delegate, please let your board president know. If you do not see your HOA or association on the list below, please contact our CARE President.
The responsibilities of a CARE delegate, as specified in the CARE ByLaws: Canyon Area Residents for the Environment (CARE)’s governing Council is ruled by the delegates or alternate delegates appointed from each of the member Homeowners Associations, associations and groups. Roughly 10,000 residents live in the CARE area of the central mountains of unincorporated Jefferson County. CARE’s purpose is to assimilate problems and concerns in our community, propose solutions and distribute information to the residents. CARE shall take unified affirmative action to promote positive governmental action consistent with the needs of the area. Currently, the CARE Board of Delegates meets 4 times a year. The delegates are CARE’s liaison to the HOAs and Associations within the CARE area.
Homeowner Associations in CARE Area
Ballantine Road, Burleson Ranch HOA, Cabrini Shrine, Chimney Creek HOA, Cody Park, Colorow Ridge HOA, Columbine Glen, Genesee Crossing HOA, Genesee Foundation, Genesee Gathering Group, Genesee Village HOA, Hess Avenue HOA, Idledale, Lininger Mtn HOA, Lookout Mountain Residents United (LMRU), Lookout Mountain Crest, Lookout Mountain Road, Lookout Mtn Park HOA, Moss Rock Road HOA, Mount Vernon Estates, Mount Vernon Country Club Metro District MVCC, Panorama Estates HOA, Panorama Heights, Paradise Hills HOA,Pine Tree Park Subdivision, Pinecrest Road, Rainbow Hills HOA, Rilliet Park, Riva Chase, Rockland and Swift Fox Trail HOA.
It is important that each HOA file an annual registration with Jefferson County in order to receive notices of rezoning and other Jefferson County actions near their HOA. CARE can assist with these registrations.
CARE has a special committee to evaluate the ability to create some geographic associations of residents living in the area but who are not part of an HOA or other recognized association with a voting delegate.
Volunteers welcome. CARE thrives through the ideas and efforts of the volunteers in our community. Volunteers do not need to be delegates.
CARE Meetings of Delegates
Currently being held in person, click here to see current meeting dates and locations
CARE DUES & DONATIONS
CARE is supported by annual dues paid by the HOAs and Neighborhood Associations in the CARE area. Donations can be sent to the CARE Treasurer: