Advocacy is at the heart of what we do
Advocacy is essential to getting trails built, preserving open space,
and getting adequate parks funding.
Our work includes helping craft the future for our public spaces, with our partners in government, other nonprofits and community groups, and our members and partners. Our goal is to envision what can be, and work to make the vision a reality.
We joke about how “We go to all the boring meetings so you don’t have to,” but in fact TOSC is at every public meeting where policy, funding or planning for parks, trails and open spaces is discussed or decided—be it City Council, County Commission, Parks Advisory Boards, Master Plan work sessions, TOPS Working Committee, Trails Team, Colorado Springs Utilities, etc.—and is a respected voice for our public spaces. We weigh in on the issues, and report back to the public regularly.
We encourage you to connect with us at the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
We work to create a social and political climate in which local decisions to fund open space, parks and trails are approved and supported. We encourage organizations, businesses and individuals to get involved in the process. Government bodies do listen to their constituents. We help get the word out to the public about what the issues are, what decisions are being made, when public comment is requested, and how to make your voice heard. We listen to all our user groups—hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians—and work to get their concerns addressed.
Recent Advocacy News

News Wednesday January 25, 2023
Issue 1 – TOPS Extension Issue 1 – TOPS Extension On April 4th COS voters will have the opportunity to extend TOPS for an additional 20 years without raising

News Wednesday January 18, 2023
“Tweaks” to TOPS After TOPS failed in Nov 2021, we asked “why?” Hard to understand ballot language was one answer. When voters see the ballot in April

News Wednesday January 11, 2023
Wild Horse Ranch – Next TOPS Purchase? The TOPS Working Committee will vote on purchasing the 1,021 acre Wild Horse Ranch at its February meeting.

News Wednesday January 4, 2023
2022 Give Pikes Peak- Thank YOU! The 2022 Give Campaign has concluded and the support of over 200 people, organizations, companies, and foundations led to TOSC

News Wednesday December 21, 2022
Pet Tribute Tree- Fox Run Regional Park New residents may not know about the “Pet Tribute Tree” in Fox Run Regional Park. Between now and January

News Wednesday December 14, 2022
TOPS Extension – Next April Election This week Colorado Springs City Council heard from Parks Director Britt Haley about the proposed TOPS (Trails, Parks and Open

News Wednesday December 7, 2022
Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District new Executive Director We at TOSC would like to congratulate Allison Plute Schuch for being selected as

News Wednesday November 30, 2022
Fox Run Nature Center – Turning a Goal into Reality In the 2013 Parks Master Plan a new nature center for northern El Paso County

News Wednesday November 23, 2022
We Will Not Let Hate Define Our Community The Trails and Open Space Coalition joins others in condemning the violence that took place Saturday