Would you pay to explore Pikes Peak’s South Slope? Last week, the Colorado Springs City Council voted to finally allow public access on the part of Pikes Peak that contains the city’s watershed. That plan involves some sort of fee system, which has yet to be worked out.
Colorado Springs Utilities owns and manages the South Slope, which has been the subject of endless debates, surveys, public meetings, and consultant presentations for more than a decade. And until recently, those who have lobbied and worked for access to the remote area had all but given up.
Eight years ago, Gazette columnist Barry Noreen and I embarked on a project that explained the South Slope to readers. Its opening looked promising, because CSU had finally completed a master plan that included recreational options.
In that article, one trails advocate was asked why the public should have access to this area closed for decades. “Why?” Mary Burger said. “Because we own it.”
But that master plan gathered dust, and it seemed unlikely that those who worked on the plan, and even their children and grandchildren would ever be able to explore the area.
Burger is the founder of Friends of the Peak, a group formed in 1995 to work on erosion control projects on other parts of the mountain, but members of the non-profit have been interested in, and involved with, the South Slope since 1998.
Today, Burger is celebrating the surprising announcement that the South Slope will finally be opened to recreation, and that Colorado Springs Parks, Trails and Open Space department will manage it.
Just how they will manage it is still being figured out, but it will probably involve a fee system that would circumvent using tax dollars on it.
Guided tours could begin as early as June. I can’t wait. But the question remains: Would you pay to get onto the South Slope?
If you want more information, a public meeting is planned at 5 p.m. April 27 at the Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expressway. The final plan will be released then.
Note from UltraRob: From what I’ve heard, mountain biker comments on the Pikes Peak South Slope plan presented in January had an impact and bikes will be allowed on the trails originally designated no bikes allowed. I’d encourage everyone intested in access to this area to go to the meeting and give their feedback on the latest plan.
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Tags: Colorado Springs, hiking, mountain biking, Pikes Peak
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That's great news about the concession to mountain bikers! I'm also surprised that they might have it open (even if just for guided tours) as early as June. That's very cool.