The Trails and Open Space Coalition has been advocating for a reduced water rate for parks for many years. Utilities (mainly water) eats up almost half the parks maintenance budget.
We are very happy to report that both the CSU Board and City Council recently voted 6-3 to provide a million dollars in water in 2019 and twice that in 2020.
The average residential water bill will go up 34 cents per month the first year and 68 cents per month the second year so that our parks can thrive. The parks department has instituted water-saving measures so that the water they have will go further than ever. Read more on our blog.
Bicycle Village giveaway–helmet and bike socks!
Tag a friend on Facebook to enter
Tag a friend in the post on our Facebook page (look for the photos above) to enter the drawing for this Scott Taal helmet and bike socks from our 2018 Starlight Spectacular sponsors, Bicycle Village Colorado Springs! Value over $75. Extra points for creativity 🙂 We’ll announce the winner on Friday!.
Starlight Spectacular Early Bird Deadline approaching
24th Annual Starlight Spectacular June 16th, 2018, 9 pm NEW THIS YEAR– EARLIER START TIME FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN!Start at 10:15 pm ahead of the crowd.
Join the Trails and Open Space Coalition for the 24th Annual Starlight Spectacular on June 16th, 2018. This fun and family-friendly night-time bicycle ride is suitable for most ages and abilities. We’ve had kids as young as 8 and adults in their 80s ride with us! Get out your western wear and celebrate the Wild, Wild West! Info and sign ups here. Sign up early and save! Early Bird deadline June 3.
Come celebrate the kickoff to Colorado Springs Bike Month! Join Bike Colorado Springs, the City, nonprofits, bike clubs, and people who ride bikes at Tap Traders for an informal get-together. Learn about the dozens of rides and events going on in June, find out how to get plugged in, whether you’re looking for family friendly rides or intermediate groups to join.
Find out how you can participate and get free breakfast on Bike to Work Day, June 27-get your company to join the corporate challenge and compete with other businesses of the same size, for prizes and bragging rights.
Learn more about Bike to Work Day and the Corporate Challenge
PikeRIDE, a program of Downtown Ventures, the charitable nonprofit arm of Downtown Partnership, needs your help! They have 208 bikes that need to be unpackaged, assembled, decals placed,
smartkit installed, and tested!
*No specific skill set required.
Volunteer Schedule
May
Wed 23 5:45-8:30pm
Sat 26 9am-1pm and 12:30-4pm
Wed 30 5:45-8:30pm
June
Sat 2 9am-1pm and 12:30-4pm
Tue 5 5:45-8:30pm
Wed 6 5:45-8:30pm
Sat 9 9am-1pm and 12:30-4pm
Wed 13 5:45-8:30pm
Sat 16 9am-1pm and 12:30-4pm
Meet at the old Gazette building on 30 S. Prospect Street, on the south side of the building at the loading dock.
In the fall of 2013, the City of Colorado Springs launched the Camp Creek Drainage Improvement Project to plan short-term and long-term solutions to protect the Camp Creek corridor from flooding and erosion to improve public safety. Much of the work of the plan has been completed.
The community is invited to hear about and give feedback on next steps. The event will be in the cafeteria located in Building B on the east side of the front entrance facing Mesa Road. There will be a brief presentation at 6 p.m. followed by a question-and-answer period. Participants will also be encouraged to submit comment cards.
Upcoming Events
Get Outdoors Day
Sat, June 2, 9 am – 3 pm
Third annual Free Get Outdoors Day – Colorado Springs! Prospect Lake will be lined with families fishing using free poles from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The water will be filled with rafts, canoes and paddleboards. Kids can shoot air rifles and .22s, throw hatchets, learn archery, try the climbing walls, crawl all over our “Touch a Truck” display and much more.
Sat, June 2 National Trails Day Events with El Paso County
Trail Ride June 2 with El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf through Bear Creek Regional Park. 9:00-11:00 am. Bring your horse and appropriate riding gear. Meet at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd. Enter the main entrance and follow signs to the Equestrian Skills Course parking..
Day Hike June 2 at the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. 7:00-11:00 am. Explore the hoodoos and learn about the natural and cultural history of the area, Meet at the Paint Mines main parking lot (the one with the restroom). Limit 15 participants. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember. Prepaid registration required at 520-6387.
Bear Creek Nature Center June 2 Trails Vegetation Management Project. 9:00-11:00 am. Volunteer to maintain trails at Bear Creek Nature Center and help clear vegetation and remove debris along the Song Bird Nature Trail and the Bear Creek Trail. Meet at the Nature Center; 245 Bear Creek Rd. Bring water, snacks, and wear closed toed shoes. For more information, call Steven Rodbourn 235-3540..
Volunteers needed for Pikes Peak Races this summer
Please consider being a volunteer for one of the Pikes Peak races. The Pikes Peak Racing organization is a supporter of the Trails and Open Space Coalition.Volunteers are critical to their success.
The Pikes Peak races include:
Garden of the Gods Race – 10 Mile and 10K – June 10
Summer Roundup Trail Run – Cheyenne Mountain State Park – 10K/Half Marathon July 8
Barr Trail Mtn Race – July 15
Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon – August 18 and 19.
For more information visit 
