Jefferson County commissioners rejected a proposed downhill bike park near Conifer after the project plan for the 235-acre site stirred up controversy among area residents.

Developers of the Shadow Mountain Bike Park project intended to build the western United States’ first downhill bike park with a ski lift.

Jefferson County commissioners voted down the bike park, 2-1, following four years of project planning and community pushback. The county’s planning commission unanimously disapproved of the park during a five-hour meeting September.

Developers of the bike park attempted to obtain a special use permit, allowing the bike park to operate within the current zoning, which is mostly agricultural and residential use in the Shadow Mountain neighborhood.

The plans called for a downhill mountain bike park with lift access and 16 miles of ridable trails on 235 acres of the state land located approximately 2.2 miles west of Route 73 on Shadow Mountain Drive, county documents show.

Throughout the county’s special use approval process, locals argued the project would divide the small mountain town community. Some expressed concerns the park would contribute to increased traffic and noise. Others appreciated the potential economic impact to the area.

The bike park was expected to draw 1,000 users per day, according to developers.

Proponents viewed the park as an economic driver in the area to help create jobs and provide a unique mountain biking experience.

Developers and downhill bikers Phil Bouchard and Jason Evans, two close friends, proposed the new bike park.

The idea started in 2020 when the two “came to realize Colorado’s mountain bike population — particularly downhillers — would be well served by a chair lift-access park unlike anything offered by the summer operations at local ski areas,” Shadow Mountain Bike Park’s website said.

County officials, during the planning and zoning process in September, said the application fell short of meeting one or more of the county’s standards for compatibility, alignment with land use plans, mitigation of potential negative impacts on the area and wildlife, water plans, infrastructure and service availability, and ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of nearby residents and property owners.

Barbara Murphy, founder of Stop the Bike Park, a nonprofit organization against Shadow Mountain Bike Park’s proposal, said the county’s decision affirmed the concerns of local residents.

“It is a wonderful feeling to have our concerns fully validated after so many years of hard work,” Murphy said in a statement. “We are grateful the County Commissioners agreed with us in a resounding vote against a commercial bike park that does not belong in a residential neighborhood with winding two lane roads and only one way in or out in case of a wildfire.”

Developers didn’t respond Monday to The Denver Gazette’s request for comment, nor were there any statements on the webpage or Shadow Mountain social media accounts.

Denver Gazette reporter Deborah Grigsby contributed to this report.