Project Summary

This project includes the planning and concept design of two open space parcels, the Markel property and the Wottge property. The Open Space Plan project supports one of Broomfield’s goals of having integrated open space within the community for everyone to enjoy without having to drive long distances. Access to the Broomfield Trail, and to other regional trails, was also a priority in the planning and eventual concept design. The design team was tasked with evaluating the natural resources present on both properties, including the existing flora and fauna, overall habitat value, and wetland vegetation. Water resources on each property were also assessed for potential recreational and ecological value. An extensive public outreach process was also completed throughout the project timeline in an effort to gather and incorporate opinions, concerns, and comments from the local community. The resulting Open Space Concept Site Plans incorporate all of the data and public input gathered into comprehensive plans to be used in future design and plan implementation.

Public Engagement Summary

Public outreach events and stakeholder and Open Space and Trails Advisory Committee (OSTAC) presentations were completed from November 2022 – September 2023. A variety of outreach strategies were implemented to engage as many community members as possible including inperson events and online surveys. The public outreach and stakeholder engagement process included:

• Public Pop-Up Event: November 12th, 2022
• Survey #1: Oct 15th - Nov 14th, 2022
• OSTAC Meeting #1: December 8th, 2022
• Public Open House: February 16th, 2023
• Survey #2: Feb 16th - March 5th, 2023
• OSTAC Meeting #2: June 22nd, 2023
• Public Pop-Up Event: July 29th, 2023
• Final OSTAC Meeting and Presentation of Final Proposed Plans: September 28th, 2023

View the Approved Final Plans and Open Space Plan Report

Please view all Documents under "Documents" Tab on the right of this page. 

Project Background

The City and County of Broomfield is developing a new plan for the Markel and Wottge Open Spaces. This project is an exciting opportunity for Broomfield residents to participate in upgrading the vision for these open spaces. The goal of this project is to evaluate existing natural and cultural resources for both properties, and identify opportunities for public access and site improvements to preserve, restore, and activate the open spaces for public use while maintaining its natural beauty and wildlife habitat.

Site History

There are two separate sites being examined in the plan: the Wottge and Markel Open Spaces.

Wottge Open Space

Watch a video about the Wottge Open Space

Bernhard “Ben” Wottge moved to Colorado from Germany with his family when he was eight years old. The Wottge's purchased the land in 1955 and began farming, planting alfalfa hay, barley, and corn. After a period of drought, they bought cows and added a dairy to their farmstead. The property included a farmhouse, two bin granaries, and a dairy barn among other buildings.

Ben and his four siblings decided to sell part of the property after their parents passed away. He heard of the Broomfield Open Space and Trails Department buying a different property at the time and felt that preserving the Wottge land as open space would be a wonderful idea. Ben and his wife, Pam, continue to live on five acres of the farm planting grass hay. The remaining land is the Wottge Open Space and is planted with winter wheat.

Broomfield Open Space and Trails purchased this land in 2003 to maintain views of the mountains as well as preserve a piece of land that connects Broomfield to its agricultural history. The property has several large cottonwood trees that have been home to a great horned owl nest in past years. The expansive field provides habitat for a number of bird and small mammal species as well as a migration corridor for wildlife.

*The City and County of Broomfield have completed a soil restoration project on the northeast corner of the Wottge Open Space site, near the entrance across from Spyglass Dr. This restoration included soil testing, the removal of 3,476 cubic yards of poor-quality soil, rocks, and debris, and the import of high-quality topsoil and compost. Please know that this work was not part of the Wottge Open Space Plan and has been planned for some time. 

Wottge Aerial Current Condition (below)

Markel Open Space

Watch a video about the Markel Open Space

Dr. Bill Markel and his wife Jean moved to Broomfield in 1958 after Dr. Markel left the Army Medical Corps. Broomfield was then described as a “brand new community,” and it turned out to be exactly what they were looking for. The Markels purchased their current property, and what is now open space, in 1968. Bill and Jean enjoyed the property for many years with their four children and the approximately fifty exchange students they hosted over several decades. When they decided to sell part of their original property, they contacted the Broomfield Open Space and Trails Department as a potential buyer so the land would remain as open space.

The City and County of Broomfield purchased the property in 2008. The Open Space has a pond that was built by the Markels shortly after they acquired the property. The pond is lined with tall cottonwoods providing shade and beautiful colors in the fall. Community Ditch also winds through the property. The Markels are happy that people will continue to enjoy the property for years to come the way they and their children did.

*At this time, the City and County of Broomfield does not own Parcel 4 located at 13781 Fox Ridge Drive. This 6-acre parcel is located in the northeast corner of the Markel site map. Even though the area is not owned by Broomfield, the area is being evaluated from a planning perspective to determine how the area could be combined with the larger Markel site in the future.

Markel Aerial Current Condition (below)