The Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee (LOSAC) is a permanent committee that consists of five citizen voting members, two citizen non-voting members, a City Council member, a City Planning Commission member, and the City Administrator. LOSAC advises the City Council on the purchase and management of open space, conducts public outreach programs, and explores financial opportunities for open space acquisition.

One of LOSAC's most important functions is public outreach. LOSAC sponsors Open Space Day each year and hosts forums on open space issues. They also work with the Outdoor Classroom Task Force to provide informative and interesting presentations on wildlife and open space topics. In addition, LOSAC keeps the public informed about open space issues through newspaper articles and the City's monthly newsletter, the City Update. The committee acts as the Lafayette Tree Board in sponsoring the Landmark Tree Program and the annual Arbor Day observance.

LOSAC recommended to City Council the successful initiative on the fall 2003 ballot to extend the Legacy Tax for ten years beyond its sunset date. The Legacy Tax was first approved by voters in 1999 to raise City sales tax by $1 for every $400 purchased for a period of five years starting January 1, 2000. Revenue from the Legacy Tax is used to purchase more open space, while the lands are still available and affordable, and starting in 2005, will also be used for open space maintenance.

LOSAC attempts to bring in alternative financial resources. For example, LOSAC prepared a grant that resulted in a $75,000 award from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to build a wildlife-viewing platform at Greenlee Reservoir by Waneka Lake. LOSAC is exploring other GOCO grants and cooperative partnerships for land acquisition in and near Lafayette.  In addition, LOSAC received a $3,000 grant from the Colorado Tree Coalition to plant over 100 native trees and shrubs at Bullhead Gulch Open Space to replace approximately 125 non-native, invasive Russian Olive trees removed from the site in April 2005.

For more information about open space or LOSAC, contact the Parks, Open Space and Golf Department at 303-665-5506, ext. 3615.