GOLDEN, Colo. -- Another elaborate pot-growing operation has been found in the wilderness -- this time near Golden Gate State Park.

The 1,000-plus plants, estimated to have a street value of $500,000, were growing on Division of Wildlife land. Hunters stumbled upon the plants Saturday evening.

This is the fourth outdoor grow of this type found in unincorporated Jefferson County this summer, said Jefferson County spokeswoman Jacki Kelly.

Kelly characterized the area as "much smaller" than previous grow operations found in Jefferson County.

Kelly would not give an exact location of the farm but said it was an hour hike from the Red Barn picnic area.

It was found on a steep ravine, about a mile away from the road.

Cmdr. Bob Bette with the West Metro Drug Task Force said these growers were likely days away from harvesting their crop as colder weather moves in.

While he's aware of recent marijuana activity, he's not ready to call it a large increase in illegal growing.

"I think it's just more publicized now, maybe getting a little more sophisticated in what they're doing," Bette said.

His theory is that tighter security on America's southern border with Mexico may be forcing pot growers to head for the hills.

As a result, Bette said he wants to set up a meeting this spring with federal, state and local stakeholders.

"And try to develop a strategy on how we're going to really go after these things," Bette said.

Jefferson County authorities, West Metro Drug Task Force, Division of Wildlife agents and Colorado State Parks workers spent Monday and Tuesday clearing the marijuana from the forest. A Black Hawk helicopter flown by the Colorado Air National Guard helped remove the plants, as it did in the other cases. The helicopter was used to lift large bundles of marijuana out of the rugged terrain to a location where it could be loaded into vehicles for removal.

Although no one was found in the area, detectives believe that the men responsible were squatting on the mountainside while they tended to the grow operation. Detectives found a lean–to, along with a tent that contained food, clothing, sleeping bags and other household items.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 303-271-5612.