Page 71 - Lariat Loop

Genesee Park
denver.org/listings/Genesee-Park/6826
Back in 1910, John Brisben Walker of Denver Real Estate Exchange, Elmer Summers of Denver Motor Club, and Charles Johnson of Denver Chamber of Commerce convinced Denver Mayor Speer to promote their plan to preserve parks in Je erson and Clear Creek Counties. They had discovered an amazing variety of world-class scenic vistas, ecological characteristics, extraordinary river canyons and native ora and fauna to preserve and attract tourism.
The visionaries acquired Genesee Mountain to stop logging in 1910. After the voters approved funding the mountain parks, Genesee became Denver’s rst purchase in 1912. Genesee Ski Jump was built by locals in 1919 and was popular
until the Depression. Visitors drove to events up the Lariat Trail and Lookout Mountain Road. The jump is still visible above the Chimney Creek condominium development.
An American ag has been
raised at the highest point of
Genesee Park on every Flag
Day since 1911. The park
became the rst pasture for a
bu alo herd acquired from Yellowstone Park in 1914. Denver built picnic tables, shelters, ball elds, trails, a campground, and an excellent youth nature camp. The Genesee Park preservation expanded to total 2,413 aces by 2014.
Some wild Bison were acquired by Denver from Yellowstone Park and placed within Genesee Park in 1914. Visitors enjoy observing them over the fence north of I-70 exit 254.
Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway 67