2025 Colorado Open Space Alliance Conference
October 6–8, 2025
More information will be posted in the spring.
Presented by the Colorado Lottery and Great Outdoors Colorado.
Keynote Speakers
Kriste Peoples
Kriste Peoples is a Denver-based outdoor enthusiast and guide, runner, writer, and mindfulness meditation teacher. She serves as the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness, a Boulder-based nonprofit offering transformational experiences that cultivate a greater sense of agency, community, and engagement in nature among women, girls, and nonbinary people. As a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, she brings her sense of adventure and curiosity to the inward journey of self-discovery. In her downtime, she's committed to finding an easy alternative to popcorn ceilings.
Luke Runyon
Luke Runyon is a journalist, currently serving as co-director of The Water Desk at the University of Colorado's Center for Environmental Journalism. Prior to his current position, Luke was a managing editor and reporter for KUNC, the NPR station for northern Colorado, where he produced the award-winning podcast, "Thirst Gap: Learning to live with less on the Colorado River." He currently serves as the president of the board for the Society of Environmental Journalists. He's a former Ted Scripps Environmental Journalism fellow at the University of Colorado.
Mountainfilm on Tour is coming to COSA!
The tour will be featured at the COSA Conference in Grand Junction during the annual networking event at the historic Avalon Theater on Monday, September 30.
Mountainfilm on Tour brings a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed, and incredibly inspiring documentary films curated from the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. The tour includes films that explore themes connected to Mountainfilm’s mission of using the power of film, art, and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. Tickets to Mountainfilm on Tour are included in full conference registrations and will be available to COSA guests at an additional cost.
Hotel Accommodations
While the downtown hotel block has sold out, there are great hotel accommodations available close to the Grand Junction Conference Center. Availability and rates may vary, but most hotels are happy to provide a government rate when requested.
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Home2Suites
- WoodSpring Suites
- Holiday Inn Express
- Airbnb/VRBO
Although the COSA hotel block in downtown has sold out, rooms may become available. We suggest that you call the downtown hotels directly to inquire about openings and cancelations.
Parking
Parking at the conference hotels is $11 per day. Parking is free at the Grand Junction Convention Center and at many locations downtown. Learn more about parking in downtown Grand Junction.
Sponsors
A huge thank you to all the 2024 conference sponsors, we can’t do this work without your generous support. Thank you to presenting sponsors Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Lottery.
RMRA After Party
Tuesday, Oct 1, 7-9 p.m.
Get Air Trampoline Park
Rocky Mountain Ranger Association (RMRA) is excited to invite you to its third annual After Party! Join us for a fun evening with your fellow RMRA members and COSA colleagues! We’re serving up pizza and non-alcoholic beverages, so come hungry and ready to hang out. If the idea of trampolines has you reaching for an ice pack and ibuprofen, don’t worry! There will be gentler activities available, such as slacklines, arcade games, and massage chairs.
Questions
Do you need help or have questions about the conference?
Email: COSA@iplanitmeetings.com
Phone: (800) 781-1193 ext 2
Chat: Use the chat in the bottom right corner of the registration page.
Scholarships
COSA will award two scholarships to cover the registration costs for the conference. This award is made possible by our sponsors. COSA will also award one full scholarship that includes registration costs and lodging.
Sponsors
COSA is seeking sponsors for the 2023 conference! Reach open space professionals and get acknowledged in a variety of ways.
Now Accepting Session Proposals
The theme for the 2023 conference is From Legacy to Lasting Impact. All proposals will be considered, but preference will be given to proposals that address topics of legacy and forward thinking.
Hotel Accommodations
Viewline Resort Snowmass
100 Elbert Lane, Snowmass Villiage, Colorado
970-742-0005
Starting at $149/night
Last day to book at the discounted rate is Friday, Sept. 1.
Tax Exemption Information: Each guest is required to provide their individual tax exempt certificates to the Viewline Resort Snowmass prior to arrival. Email your tax certificate to Group.Reservations@ViewlineResortSnowmass.com. The hotel must have one certificate on file for each paying guest.
Colorado Open Space Alliance Conference
"Renew, Recharge, Reconnect"
September 19-21, 2022
Elevations Hotel and Spa
Crested Butte, Colorado
Sorry, but the conference is SOLD OUT and our waitlist has reached capacity.
Registration Tips
- Make sure the select the correct ticket type if you want to attend the networking event on Tuesday night (the networking event is an additional $25).
- Select your sessions after choosing your ticket type.
- Open the event schedule in another widow to reference session descriptions during registration.
- Certain field trips have an additional fee. A separate invoice will be sent.
- You can change your sessions after registration if needed using the attendee portal.
Networking Event
Everyone is invited to attend the networking event on Tuesday. Tickets are $25 and need to be purchased for each guest or conference attendee who did not register using a ticket with the networking event option.
Purchase Networking Event Ticket
Hotel Reservations
Elevations Hotel SOLD OUT
Unfortunately the Elevations Hotel is completely sold out of rooms. Please try reserving a room at the Grand Lodge.
Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge is only a two minute walk to the conference and COSA registrants are guaranteed their lowest rate of $126/night + $20 resort fee. $49 is due at time of booking, with 100% due 7 days before arrival. All payments are non-refundable. Parking is free.
Please call 855-332-1601 option 1, then option 7 any day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to get the group rate.
Other Lodging Options
- Lodge at Mountaineer Square, next door, condo style rooms, (970) 349-4000
- Plaza, next door, condo style rooms, (970) 349-2900
- Nordic Inn, 10 min walk, (970) 349-5542
Sponsors
COSA is seeking sponsors for the 2022 conference! Reach open space professionals and get acknowledged in a variety of ways.
Conference App
Download Attendify and search "COSA" to access the conference.
Don’t want to download the app? You can still see all the features using the Web App.
Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2021 conference is now open!
Now Accepting Session Proposals
The theme for the 2021 conference is Expect the Unexpected: Building Resilience to Adapt to Change. All proposals will be considered, but preference will be given to proposals that address the theme of resilience.
The deadline to submit proposals for the 2021 conference is Friday, May 14.
Keynote Speakers
Nina Simon
Nina is author of the best-selling books "The Participatory Museum" and "The Art of Relevance."
Learn more about Nina →
Lori Weigel
Lori is the Principal of New Bridge Strategy, a research firm based in Colorado.
Learn more about Lori→
Agenda & Session Presentation Files
- Conference Agenda
- Creating a Collaborative Future for Open Space Rangers
- Developing a Resiliency Framework for Jefferson County Open Space: Meeting the Mission by Managing for Future Uncertainty
- Filling the Ranger Void: How small agencies can provide vital services without a ranger program
- Goldsmith Gulch: Using Contemporary Design to Restore a Healthy Channel
- Nature Play Design Guidelines
Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2018 conference is now open!
Hotel Accommodations
Steamboat Grand Hotel
2300 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
970-871-5500
Starting at $100/night
Book Room
- Agenda & Presenters (great if you can't get the Eventzilla app to work)
- Pre-Arrival Message
- Agenda Overview
- Session Room Assignments
Networking Event
Everyone is invited to attend the networking event on Tuesday. Tickets are $25 and need to be purchased for each guest or conference attendee who did not register using a ticket with the networking event option. Purchase Networking Event TicketHotel Reservations
Elevations Hotel SOLD OUT
Unfortunately the Elevations Hotel is completely sold out of rooms. Please try reserving a room at the Grand Lodge.Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge is only a two minute walk to the conference and COSA registrants are guaranteed their lowest rate of $126/night + $20 resort fee. $49 is due at time of booking, with 100% due 7 days before arrival. All payments are non-refundable. Parking is free. Please call 855-332-1601 option 1, then option 7 any day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to get the group rate.Other Lodging Options
- Lodge at Mountaineer Square, next door, condo style rooms, (970) 349-4000
- Plaza, next door, condo style rooms, (970) 349-2900
- Nordic Inn, 10 min walk, (970) 349-5542
Sponsors
COSA is seeking sponsors for the 2022 conference! Reach open space professionals and get acknowledged in a variety of ways. Sponsorship DetailsScholarships
COSA will award several scholarships to cover the registration costs for the 2022 conference. This award is made possible by our sponsors. ScholarshipsSponsors
A huge thanks to all of our sponsors! Please show them your support.
Bronze
Kriste Peoples
Kriste Peoples is a Denver-based outdoor enthusiast and guide, runner, writer, and mindfulness meditation teacher. She serves as the Executive Director of Women's Wilderness, a Boulder-based nonprofit offering transformational experiences that cultivate a greater sense of agency, community, and engagement in nature among women, girls, and nonbinary people. As a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, she brings her sense of adventure and curiosity to the inward journey of self-discovery. In her downtime, she's committed to finding an easy alternative to popcorn ceilings.