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Opportunities

Since the founding of Colorado Springs in 1871, the city has seen evolution and growth like many cities across the country. However, what makes Colorado Springs unique from other cities is that it was founded primarily as a tourist destination and was not built on a river. Historically, some of the main attractions to the city were the climate, Cheyenne Mountain, and Pikes Peak Mountain. While water has always been essential to the city, it was not necessarily the primary amenity.

General Palmer recognized the value of Monument and Fountain Creeks as an amenity and made the first effort to protect and enhance the waterways in the early 1900’s. However, due to a combination of flooding and channelizing the creek, the water quality of the creek and natural functions began to erode over the years. 

unique challenges…and opportunities

Fast forward to present day and a variety of concerns exist with the waterways including the extremes between flooding and drought, sedimentation, bank erosion, and little to no public access along sections of the waterways. Additionally, the waterways are located within the Fountain Creek Watershed which is the only watershed in the country where water starts at an elevation of 14,000 feet (Pikes Peak) and flows down to approximately 4,000 feet elevation, making it the second most studied watershed in the country. This in itself brings a variety of unique challenges…and opportunities.

What does this all mean? That it is time to focus efforts to restore and enhance the creeks’ natural functions. Add population growth to the existing dynamics, and the urgency is extreme to protect the waterways. With a growth of 41% from 2000-2020 and an additional 200,000+ people anticipated to locate to El Paso County by 2050, there is an immense need to protect and preserve this waterway and ecosystem.

Pikes Peak Waterways is relentlessly focused on restoring the creek to its natural functions and providing an inclusive and sustainable asset for generations to come. Below are some of the primary focus areas and goals of Pikes Peak Waterways: 

Goals

Selectively Remove and Relocate Levees

Monument Valley Park’s historic design, impacted by levees due to flooding, could be restored by selectively removing and relocating levee sections to reconnect with the original creek features.

Water Quality and Sediment Management

Pikes Peak Waterways works hand in hand with local, state, and federal municipalities to ensure optimal sediment management processes are, or will be, in place along the creeks.The plan includes 25 acres of floodplain and water quality enhancements.

Restore the Creek Channel

Highway and railroad construction altered Fountain and Monument Creeks, increasing runoff, eroding channels, and harming wildlife. Restoration aims to widen streams, restore natural braiding, and support biodiversity.

Trail Connections

Within the downtown Colorado Springs area alone, Pikes Peak Waterways envisions over 23 miles of trails , 18 neighborhood connections, and 9 creek crossings of which can link key destinations and enhancing cycling and stewardship.

Expanded Park Network

Enhancing waterways through parks boosts tourism and outdoor experiences in Colorado Springs. A new park network with shared maintenance funded by various sources will facilitate this vision.

Redevelopment Opportunities

Corridor redevelopment aligns with PlanCOS goals and this vision. It enhances connectivity, green infrastructure, downtown access, cultural representation, and economic growth, involving 25 acres of new development and 158 acres of redevelopment.

FAQs

How is Pikes Peak Waterways funded?

Currently Pikes Peak Waterways is a volunteer run organization. The nonprofit serves as a leader in pursuing grant and philanthropic funding dedicated towards implementing the COS Creek Plan.

No. While they are two separate nonprofits, Pikes Peak Waterways and the Fountain Creek Watershed District work hand in hand to promote restoration and good stewardship to the local waterways. Pikes Peak Waterways is focused on implementing the COS Creek Plan, which is approximately a 7 mile stretch of Monument and Fountain Creek in downtown Colorado Springs. The Fountain Creek Watershed District serves the entire watershed of El Paso and Pueblo Counties.

Check our Projects tab for up to date projects.

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