Authorities in Colorado want to develop more ways for people to have fun in and around Pikes Peak.
The iconic mountain that dominates the western horizon from Colorado Springs is technically part of the federal Pike National Forest. A seasonal cog railroad takes tourists to the summit, and motorists can climb the mountain via the Pikes Peak Highway.
Colorado’s government would like to see more options for visitors to recreate on or near the mountain.
Last Thursday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced that Colorado Parks and Wildlife will take the lead in expanding recreation options on Pikes Peak.
CPW subsequently announced the signing of a Letter of Intent with “key partners in Colorado Springs” that would see state, federal, and local officials working with CPW to “pursue an expansion of the state recreation system with new CPW-managed recreation opportunities on Pikes Peak—America’s Mountain.”
The new Letter of Intent was signed by an array of federal agencies, local governments, and private companies. Signatories include the US Bureau of Land Management, the US Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service, the Colorado Springs parks department, the city of Manitou Springs, utility companies, and more.
Polis announced the new initiative in his State of the State address at the Colorado legislature.
“This is just the first step in a multi-year plan to improve and expand world-class recreation opportunities like camping, fishing, hiking, and more on the majestic mountain,” he said.
Though an array of federal and local actors is involved, the announcement made clear that CPW would take the lead in the effort. “Anyone who visits our state parks knows exactly what CPW is capable of delivering,” Polis said.
The state parks managed by CPW are comprised mostly of federal land. Polis’ announcement made no hints that Colorado’s parks authority would move to acquire land on Pikes Peak to make a new Colorado state park there.
Rather, the initiative is being compared to an existing arrangement at the Arkansas River.
Famous for white water rafting, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area also boasts popular trails and camping areas. CPW works with federal agencies to organize and manage hiking and camping along the Arkansas Headwaters.
In a first step, Colorado’s government plans to see CPW take over the Ring the Peak Trail.
Moving forward, other recreation opportunities will be developed by CPW in conjunction with whichever government agencies or private concerns actually control the land CPW wants to develop outdoor recreation on.
In a release, CPW says the new arrangement is in line with proposals Governor Polis first floated in 2020.
That year, Polis signed an executive order establishing an initiative “to develop a statewide vision of world-class outdoor recreation while preserving Colorado’s wildlife, habitat, and quality of life.”
CPW clarified that it does not expect to assume control of the tourist cog railway or the Pikes Peak Highway.
