Chatfield State Park, State park in Douglas and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States
Chatfield State Park is a large protected area in Colorado that centers around a reservoir surrounded by wetlands, forests, and grasslands. The grounds feature numerous trails for hiking and biking, along with camping facilities scattered throughout.
The Atchison family ranch here became headquarters for the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1955. After the 1965 flood, the land was absorbed into the Chatfield Dam construction project and later became Chatfield State Park. Between 2017 and 2020 the Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation Project raised the reservoir level by about 12 feet, moving park facilities back from the new shoreline.
The Audubon Center here lets visitors watch birds and wildlife while learning about the natural world around them. It has become a gathering place for people who care about observing nature and protecting it.
The park lies in Douglas and Jefferson counties, with the reservoir fed by the South Platte River and Plum Creek. The 2017–2020 reallocation project raised the water level about 12 feet and moved some facilities back from the new shoreline, so expect relocated parking and boat ramps near the water.
The Audubon Center occupies stone ranch buildings from the 1940s; the Atchison family ranch became Glenn L. Martin Company headquarters in 1955, and the stone garage was converted into an outdoor learning lab in 2004.
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