Facts & Quotes
New evidence shows that lack of investment in biking and walking could be contributing to higher traffic fatalities and chronic disease rates in the U.S. |
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Open Space, Colorado Springs
The conservation and preservation of open space in Colorado Springs is a key element of our mission.
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Here's where you can learn more about open space and current projects: Corrral Bluffs Open Space, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Section 16, White Acres and the Mt. Manitou Incline. We also have infomation about Blodgett Peak, High Chaparral, Stratton, Bluestem Prairie, Austin Bluffs open spaces.
CANDIDATE AREAS: Many Pikes Peak area municipalities and both counties have identified lands worthy of preservation in their open space plans. Identification of an area as a candidate area does not mean it will be necessarily preserved. Many factors have to be considered before a parcel might be preserved: need, public support, funding, availability, timing and usage are just a few.
OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION METHODS: There are a number of ways to preserve open space: fee simple purchase, donation, dedication, conservation easement, purchase/ transfer of development rights, lease with option to buy, leases and management agreements, purchase and leaseback, limited or joint venture development, options and rights-of-first refusal, undivided interests, remainder interests, conservation investors, exchange and installment sales.
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 Section 16 has been a favorite area for hikers and bicyclists since the 1970's. It's not large - 640 acres with a moderately difficult six mile Palmer Loop trail that gains 800' of elevation and loops trhough beautiful mountain scenery. There is a connection to the Paul Intemann Nature Trail, which coneects to the BarrTrail up Pikes Peak at the west end of Manitou Springs. The Palmer Trail also has a connection to the Red Rock Canyon Open Space and White Acres. Section 16 is leased by the city of Colorado Springs from the State Land Board, which uses the property to raise money for public education. The trailhead can be reached by following Highway 24 to the 21st intersection. Go south and take a right on Gold Camp Road at the 4-way stop. The Section 16 Trailhead is a short distance on the right. There is limited parking.
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 Corral Bluffs is located atthe eastern edge of Colorado Springs, Colorado, approximately 4 miles east of Powers Blvd. Its scenic 400 ft. high bluffs contain rich archaeological and paleontological resources, endangered species and provide important wildlife habitat. A large regional open space at Corral Bluffs would preserve land that has been designated as high priority for conservation since 1985. It would also serve the needs of the rapidly expanding population in eastern El Paso County. The first Corral Bluffs Open Space parcel of 522 acres was purchased by TOPS in 2009. Although currently not open to the public, research on the paleo and archaeo resouces is continuing as part of the pre-master plan process. After completion of the master plan, the possible ascuisition of a northeast trail trail access, and implementation of a trails and resources protection planning, the open space will be opened to the public. Visit www.savecorralbluffs.com for more information.
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 Stratton Open Space is a diverse region of five ecosystems including a ponderosa pine forest, scrub oak brush land, a high meadow grassland, a cattail marsh and a riparian area. The area contains a wide variety of wildlife. Eight miles of trails range from easy to difficult. It has one of the region’s most popular mountain biking trails—the Chutes. Please stay on marked trails and don’t use any of the still existing social trails. The City is trying to re-vegetate those.
There are trails for everyone including hiking-only trails for those wishing to avoid bikes. The Chamberlain Trail through Stratton will be the key north-south trail on the west side of the City.
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The 167-acre open space parcel offers a beautiful mountain setting for people to walk along existing roads and new trails. It has active streams, transitions from Ponderosa to Douglas fir, and is home to the peregrine falcon. While next to Blodgett Peak itself and to Pike National Forest, there is no access due to the sensitivity of the wildlife preservation area adjacent to the open space. This parcel was once part of Blodgett Ranch. It has a number of geological rock features, showing rock sedimentation, including Manitou Limestone, fountain Formation and Pierre Shale. The Rampart range fault separates the sedimentary bedrock from the granite.
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High Chaparral is the most prominent ridgeline on the east side of Colorado Springs. This 54-acre parcel provides exceptional vantage points to see the Front Range, the Spanish Peaks and Wet Mountains to the south and Black Forest to north. It provides trails, wildlife habitat and a visual buffer for the busy Powers Blvd. corridor.It is characterized by prominent ridgeline covered with scrub oak and mixd grass prairie.
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Bluestem Prairie Open Space is located to the southeast of Colorado Springs in Fountain, just south of the Colorado Springs Airport. This 650-acre open space once belonged to the Banning Lewis Ranch where ranchers relied on rich soils and thriving grasslands to survive.
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This nearly 500-acre parcel includes land from the formerly designated University Park Open Space, Pulpit Rock Park and Austin Bluffs Park. From winding paved greenways to difficult single track trails, Austin Bluffs Open Space offers spectacular trails and views mixed with wildlife in hte heart of Colorado Springs. Once part of the Houck Estate, this was one of the earliest open spaces preserved through the City's TOPS Program. Pulpit Rock towers over i-25 providing a spectacular rock formation on one the City's open spaces.
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