Overlook Citizen Petition Information

Learn about the citizen petition circulating about the Overlook Property, it could cost taxpayers 2-5 million dollars.

There is currently a group of people who live in Sixth Avenue Estates area of Unincorporated Jefferson County and some Golden residents from the Golden Hills / Heights area who are gathering signatures to petition for an initiated ordinance. Before you make a decision on whether to sign, there are some important facts you should know.

The petitioners' goal is to require a rezone of the approximate 27-acre parcel of vacant, privately-owned property, commonly called "the Overlook property" to be used only for “community solar renewable energy generation; community gardens; parkland; recreational biking and hiking trails; and open space.” The property has been owned by the same person for over 10 years and is located near and east of the I-70 East exit from C-470 West. If this rezone is passed through ordinance or election:

• The courts could find that the rezoning of the Property to allow the very limited uses described in the proposed initiated ordinance constitutes a “taking” under the United States and Colorado Constitutions for which the City must compensate the land owner.
• The land could cost Golden taxpayers between $2 million and $5 million which is a similar amount to what the City has budgeted for:
  • The entire Fire Department's operating budget in 2020: $2,836,296, or
  • The entire Public Works Streets' operating budget for 2020: $2,295,958

Please read the memo from the City Attorney’s Office and ask your district/ward City Council Member for more information.