Spruce Mountain Open Space in Larkspur has a new name: Mark Weston Open Space at Spruce Mountain. Douglas County announced the change Nov. 9, following an Oct. 26 dedication with Weston’s family, conservation advocates and Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle.
Residents who proposed the tribute raised $17,000 toward its $30,000 cost, according to the county. Both the Open Space Advisory Committee and the Board of County Commissioners unanimously supported the renaming.
Weston helped establish the county’s open space program and worked on the original open space sales and use tax approved by voters in 1994. Voters renewed that tax in 2022. His conservation work included early acquisitions and easements involving Greenland Ranch, JA Ranch and Prairie Canyon Ranch.
The name recognizes the work behind the county’s conservation holdings, including volunteer organizing, land negotiations and voter support. The county’s announcement identifies the October ceremony as the dedication event; it does not describe a new closure or change in visitor access.
