Outdoor enthusiasts and nature conservators will likely find a reason to rejoice over the latest announcement from Governor Polis, as relayed in a recent statement issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). As part of the State of the State address, Polis introduced plans for enhanced stewardship on Pikes Peak, eyeing a collaborative effort to prop up public recreation in the area.
The multi-layered partnership in question involves a who's who of local and federal entities, ready to join hands with CPW for this outdoorsy initiative from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to the U.S. Forest Service, and local bodies including El Paso County and the City of Manitou Springs. This sprawling conservation effort might just seem like another bureaucratic tapestry, but hang tight – Governor Polis assures us that this is only the climb's beginning paved with good intentions for recreational aficionados and the mountain itself. “This is an exciting partnership that will result in higher quality outdoor recreation opportunities that will allow for more people to enjoy the thriving Pikes Peak region, while better conserving America’s Mountain for future generations,” Polis stated, as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Observers are quick to draw parallels between the intended CPW's role on Pikes Peak and its existing collaboration at the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. If this new partnership comes to fruition, it may elevate the Ring the Peak Trail corridor significantly, which has been earmarked as the partnership's maiden project.
With a slight backward glance at Gov. Polis' 2020 Regional Partnerships Initiative, this move embodies the synergy that was hoped for, state-of-the-art recreational opportunities keeping in harmony with the sustenance of Colorado's wildlife and habitats. And while CPW won't be taking over the Pikes Peak Highway or the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, their expanding role in managing recreational activities on the mountain is aimed to bolster not just the outdoor offerings, but also pump vitality into the local community. Compliments are directed towards the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, an entity heralded by Polis for igniting and nurturing the coalition that eventually endorsed the LOI. The PPORA, comprised of businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, recognized the inherent value of the region's natural assets and concocted the Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative with gusto and support from multiple corners.
