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1. How do I reserve a park facility?

Currently, the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Park and Event Center is available to rent for your next event. Call 303-795-4955 or visit the Fairgrounds Event Center webpage for more information. Dove Valley Regional Park has picnic pavilions and athletic fields for rent. This facility is owned by Arapahoe County but maintained and programmed through the City of Aurora. To reserve facilities at Dove Valley Regional Park, please contact the City of Aurora at 303-739-7160.

City of Aurora

2. Is the Fairgrounds Event Center available to rent?

Yes, the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center is available to rent. Please visit the Fairgrounds Event Center webpage for more information and to contact us about your future event. Learn more at www.arapahoecountyeventcenter.com. 

3. How can I get information about the annual Punkin' Chunkin' event?

The City of Aurora sponsors the Punkin' Chunkin' event each year. Please visit their web site at www.auroragov.org for more information on this fun annual event.

4. Is photography allowed at the 17 Mile House Farm Park?

Yes, photography of a non-commercial nature is allowed at the 17 Mile House Farm Park. Please respect the following rules:

• Please stay on the paths to protect the landscape. 
• Vehicles, trailers, horses or large props are not permitted. 
• Dogs are allowed but must remain on a leash. 
• Please dispose of trash properly. 
• We cannot block access to the general public.

5. Can I rent out the 17 Mile House for my wedding or other large event?

We are not currently renting out the 17 Mile House or grounds for private weddings or events. The County does host monthly open house tours, please see the 17 Mile House web page for more information. Learn more here. 

6. I'm interested in donating or selling my property for use as an open space or park. How do I get more information?

Please contact us at 720-874-6540.

7. How can I get more information on the Arapahoe County's Open Space sales and use tax?

Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on the "About Us" section, then click on Funding for more information regarding the Open Space Sales and Use Tax. Specific tax information for businesses can be found on the County Finance department page.

8. I have antiques I'd like to donate to the 17 Mile House Farm Park. How can I get more information?

Please contact Bill Bauer at 720-874-6555. 

9. What public events are offered by Open Spaces department?

Please visit the Open Spaces Events page for more information about current Open Spaces events. Open Spaces hosts the Arapahoe County Fair annually in July.

10. How can I get more information about the Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB)?

Please visit the Boards and Committees page and click on the view vacancies link for more information about OSTAB and what, if any, vacancies are available. You can also contact Lindsey Miller at 720-874-6724 for more information.  

11. How is the Open Spaces Program funded?

The Open Spaces program is funded by a 2003 voter-approved 0.25 percent sales and use tax. In 2011, the tax was extended by Arapahoe County voters to 2023. Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on the "About Us" section and then funding for more information.

12. Is firewood collecting allowed on open space properties?

Please contact Bill Bauer at 720-874-6555.

13. Which County open space properties and parks are open to public access?

The following parks and open space properties  are currently open to the public: 17 Mile House Farm Park, Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park, Cheyenne/Arapaho Park, Fairgrounds Park, Richmil Ranch Open Space, and Welch Park. Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on Places to Go for park-specific information.

14. What is open space?

An area of land and/or water that is owned or used for one or more of the following public purposes: to protect undeveloped or natural areas; to protect farmlands or ranchlands; to preserve viewsheds, vistas or ridgelines; to protect wildlife habitat or movement corridors; to provide for outdoor recreation, trails or access to public lands; to protect designated heritage sites; to preserve water quality; to protect rivers, creeks or lakes; to restore disturbed or degraded landscape; and, to create landscape buffers to maintain community identity and character.