Tuesday is the day to vote!
It’s Not About You!
Because we know You have already voted for Issue 1 – the TOPS 20-year extension.
It’s about your friends, neighbors and co-workers whose ballot is sitting on their table.
Or they haven’t registered yet and think it’s too late.
It’s not!
Fact is as of yesterday not quite 13% of all registered voters had voted.
It’s too late to mail ballots but they can be dropped off until 7pm April 4th.
So Please Encourage Everyone to VOTE!
And don’t forget to check out candidate answers to TOPS and Parks Funding here.
Voter Information
–Colorado Springs election and voter information.
-What if I didn’t get my ballot yet? Call the City Clerk’s Office at 719-385-5901 or email elections@coloradosprings.gov.
-Check your current voter status here.
-Curious to see how the voter turnout rate is in your neighborhood? Check out the Voter Turnout Map and Daily Ballot Summary Report.
PARK AND TRAIL News
Envision Chaffee County – What’s New
For those who love camping and hiking near Salida and Buena Vista, you saw the impact dispersed camping had on the county during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, Envision Chaffee County was an amazing public process where residents put in the time and came up with a vision for their public lands, forests and farms in their county. They agreed to a small sales tax (some of it paid by tourists) to support critical county projects and programs.
Here are their plans for this summer:
- Wildfire mitigation – Chaffee Chips
- Volunteers invited to ‘Adopt’ public lands
- Begin to develop a Trails System and Conservation Plan to improve 400 miles of trail
- Recreation task force – bringing solutions to recreation areas
Colorado Springs Utilities Invites You, April 6th
In-Person Presentation on the Future of the North Slope Recreation Area
After evaluating input and feedback from the public and Pikes Peak America’s Mountain regarding recreational experiences for the North Slope Recreation Area, Colorado Springs Utilities invites the public to an informative session on the progress and next steps of the North Slope Recreation Area and its existing public recreation use as well as potential outfitter-guide use.
When: April 6 from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Where: Pikes Peak Room at the Leon Young Service Center – 1521 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Details: Email INFONSRA@csu.org to reserve your spot. Please use the visitor entrance at the north end of the complex when you arrive.
Trailability and Beyond!
The El Paso County Nature Centers program utilizes Terrain Hoppers, off road mobility vehicles, for the Trailability program to ensure everyone has the chance to get outdoors.
Registration for the 2023 Trailability season will open on April 1st.
Volunteers are needed for this program. To volunteer, please call Kylee Taylor at 719-520-6972.
Participation in the program is completely free! More information.
COS Parks is starting a similar program with two track chairs, one funded through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Equity in the Outdoors grant and another by the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act office. Details on where the chairs will be located and how to sign up will be coming out soon.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park has applied for grants to purchase one terrain hopper to accommodate disabled visitors. The machines cost between $20,000-$27,000. CMSP trails require a more rugged device. As soon as they’ve secured funding they’ll set up their program, likely by the summer of 2024.
Other programs can be found within a 2.5 hour drive of Colorado Springs at Staunton State Park near Bailey, CO and at Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, CO.
Gardening Season is Almost Here!
Early spring wildflowers will make their grand arrival across the Pikes Peak region soon. Be on the lookout for the first pasque flower or sand lily to provide the season’s first pop of color in an open space near you this April. Aside from wildflower watching, there are other ways you can get involved with flowers and gardening in our region.
Springs in Bloom: Applications are now being accepted for the Springs In Bloom program. Adopt and maintain a flower bed to help keep our city beautiful. There are limited openings so apply today! Click the link to apply today: ColoradoSprings.Gov/springsinbloom
Work a Plot in Bear Creek: The Bear Creek Garden Association has limited plots available in the Charmaine Nymann Community Garden. Learn more about how to apply for a space.
Community Gardens Map: This interactive map lets you see which community gardens are closest to where you live and contact information on how to get involved. Check it out here.
Community Science with CoNPS: The Colorado Native Plant Society has regular community science programs that volunteers can be a part of. Learn more here.
TOSC
We Love Earth Month and We Love Veda!
Last year Veda Salons chose TOSC to be the beneficiary of their Earth Month activities. All 3 salons encouraged customers to support TOSC with chances to win great bikes and salon services.
This year it’s even bigger and better! You could take home one of these very cool “Townie 7 speed Bikes”. Just schedule an appointment at any Veda during the month of April, make a donation and you could be a winner!
Thank you Veda for being an amazing partner!! And thanks to John Crandall/Old Town Bike Shop!!
Scoop the Poop Challenge
Save the Date: Sat., April 29th 9-12:00 PM
The sixth Scoop the Poop Challenge will happen during the last weekend of April! Thanks to the support of Heuberger Subaru, this event will be featured at 4 sites in the Pikes Peak region with the goal that no poo gets left behind. Check in next week for the reveal of the sites this challenge will take place at and learn more about this year’s challenge.
Wildlife Poop vs Dog Poop: Why Pet Waste Needs to be Scooped
Exploring the East Side:
Homestead Ranch Regional Park
Take a hike back in time at Homestead Ranch Regional Park and experience the
captivating tranquility. Once an 1870s era homestead, the lore of the past can still be felt in this unique location where the High Plains meet the Palmer Divide. The 458-acre park includes over 5 miles of trails rambling through stands of Ponderosa Pine and prairie grasslands. Equestrians add to the ambiance, along with a water trough fed by an old-fashioned windmill.
Travel up the slope of the bluffs to take in views of rock outcroppings and the distant Spanish Peaks. Keep an eye out for elusive species like wild turkeys and black squirrels and listen for the songs of the red-winged blackbird’s springtime return. The pond nestled at the base of the bluffs provides wildlife viewing opportunities, and other amenities include a playground, sports field, and two pavilions.
Preview Some of the Trails Here
“Exploring the East Side” is a project of TOSC Intern, Cimarron Hatch as she explores park properties along and east of Powers Blvd.
Community Events
Fox Run Regional Park: Nighttime EGGstravaganza
Sat., April 7th
Egg hunts aren’t just for little kids! Get your glow on at the Nighttime EGGstravaganza at Fox Run Regional Park on April 7th! Travel the trail in search of glowing eggs that contain natural history answers you need to win a prize. Do some egg-sploring while becoming more egg-ducated! Recommended for ages 8+. $5 per person with all proceeds to support Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers, a 501c3.
Space is limited and preregistration is required so hop to it and reserve your spot here.
Pikes Peak CATS: Mustang Way Project
Sat., April 15th 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
This year we are collaborating with Manitou Springs School District 14 to build a much needed trail connecting the High School with the Intemann Trail and Pikes Peak trail network.
Working with adults and students, we are building the 1130 foot trail to be safe, sustainable and beautiful for hiking, biking, and nature-walking. We are focused on bring sustainable balance for protecting the natural environment and creating opportunities for people to get outside, exercise and connect to nature.
PS: When working with us, please bring with you: gloves, working shoes, lots of water, sun screen, clothing layers, lunch, and whatever you need for a wonderful day outdoors in Colorado.
Mustang Way Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, April 15
8:00 am to 2:30 pm. We meet at the MS High School rear parking lot.
We are building a new trail from Manitou Springs High School to Lower Intemann Trail.
For more information, check out their website
Great American Cleanup
Sat., April 15th
Registration is live for the 2023 Great American Cleanup – Fountain Creek Watershed. The Fountain Creek Watershed District will conduct this 1-day cleanup in collaboration with local governments, nonprofits, Friends groups and neighborhoods. If interested in hosting an event site, contact creekweeksoco@gmail.com.
Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Please dress appropriately for our ever-changing weather, bring sunscreen, gloves, and wear closed toe shoes. Participants under 16 must be supervised. All participants are required to fill out a liability waiver.
2nd Annual Earth Weekend Trail Work Collaboration: 3 Parks in 3 Days
April 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Guardians of Palmer Park, Friends of Ute Valley Park, Friends of Peregrine Parks and Open Spaces and the City of Colorado Springs Parks Staff have teamed up for the 2nd Annual Earth Weekend Trail Work Collaboration. The fun will begin at Blodgett Open Space on Friday, April 21. Next we will be at Palmer Park on Saturday, April 22. We will then finish it all off at Ute Valley Park on Sunday, April 23. Additionally, Goat Patch Brewing is back once again to sponsor the event by providing drink tickets to all those who come out and help. It’s going to be a great time!
Signup at the City links below for one, two or all three days. You get to do awesome work, meet and spend time with wonderful people and then get to celebrate your awesomeness with some great libations!
Each days’ event will begin at 9:00 am and last until around 1:00 pm. Come on out and lend a hand; we’d love to see as many of you as possible. Please remember to dress appropriately for the work and weather, which includes long pants and closed toed shoes. Let’s do this!!!
Friday at Blodgett Open Space: https://cerv.is/0132×3832
Saturday at Palmer Park: https://cerv.is/0132gnKoQ3T
Sunday at Ute Valley Park: https://cerv.is/0132gQiPEGc
2023 Pikes Peak Crew Leader Training
May 6th and 7th
The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training will take place Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th, 2023 (attendance during both days is required). This year’s training will occur on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain in the North Slope Recreation Area.
The Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training is an intensive weekend-long training for experienced volunteers who are interested in becoming certified Volunteer Crew Leaders. The training is hosted in partnership by Trails and Open Space Coalition, Rocky Mountain Field Institute and the City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
This training will hit capacity soon. Don’t delay registering! Register here.