COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is exploring a new role in managing recreation around Pikes Peak, one of the nation’s most iconic outdoor destinations. As federal land managers face budget challenges, local stakeholders are asking CPW to help tackle the pressures of increasing visitor use, starting with the long-planned Ring the Peak Trail.
The initiative stems from a partnership of federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Springs Utilities, and local governments in El Paso and Teller counties. Together, they’ve asked CPW to help coordinate recreation management across the sprawling and heavily visited Pikes Peak region, which attracts an estimated 24 million visitors annually.
The plan focuses initially on the Ring the Peak Trail, a 63-mile loop that has been in development for more than 25 years. Though the trail has yet to be completed, the region’s growing popularity has intensified the need for better management of its recreational assets.
“This can allow the Forest Service to focus on wildfire mitigation and other critical priorities, while CPW brings expertise in balancing conservation with recreation,” said Becky Leinweber, cofounder of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance. “This is a unique moment for us to rethink how we manage one of Colorado’s most visited areas.”
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A Model for Collaboration
CPW is no stranger to coordinating recreation management across diverse jurisdictions. The agency oversees the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, which spans 5,355 acres of federal, state, and private lands. That experience could serve as a model for Pikes Peak, where a patchwork of landowners and managers share responsibilities.
The effort is part of a broader strategy to address the state’s outdoor recreation boom. Governor Jared Polis recently highlighted the initiative in his State of the State address, framing it as a way to expand recreational opportunities while conserving Colorado’s natural resources.
Unlike federal land managers, CPW has access to new revenue streams, including the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, which generated over $40 million last year. These funds could help support enhanced visitor management systems and trail improvements, though no formal budget has been proposed.
“This is not about turning Pikes Peak into a state park,” clarified Frank McGee, CPW’s Southeast Region manager. “We’re exploring options to better manage recreation, not to take over existing infrastructure like the Pikes Peak Highway or the Cog Railway.”
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Building on Local Momentum
The Pikes Peak proposal builds on the success of the Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative, a regional partnership formed in 2021 to address the challenges of increased recreation. The partnership is one of 20 similar initiatives across Colorado aimed at balancing access, conservation, and community impacts.
“The outdoor recreation economy is critical to our region, but we need to ensure it’s sustainable,” said Ryan Nehl, supervisor of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. “This effort is about proactively planning for the future.”
Local leaders emphasized that the conversation is still in its early stages. There are no plans to transfer land ownership or dramatically alter management structures. Instead, the focus is on developing a framework to coordinate efforts across agencies and organizations.
Leinweber noted that Pikes Peak’s complex mix of public and private landowners requires a collaborative approach. “We want to be exceptional in recreation and conservation. This is about rolling up our sleeves and figuring out how to achieve that.”
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Challenges and Opportunities
The initiative reflects broader debates about outdoor recreation management in Colorado, where growing visitor numbers have strained resources. Pikes Peak faces unique challenges, from managing the impacts of large-scale events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to protecting critical watersheds.
Lessons from other regions, such as Sweetwater Lake in Garfield County, underscore the importance of local input in shaping recreation management plans. While Sweetwater residents resisted the idea of a state park designation, they supported efforts to improve access and conservation under federal oversight.
For Pikes Peak, the focus remains on collaboration rather than sweeping changes. “We’re not looking to impose a one-size-fits-all solution,” McGee said. “Our goal is to support the region in a way that makes sense for its unique needs and character.”
As conversations progress, stakeholders hope the initiative will pave the way for more sustainable and coordinated recreation management in one of Colorado’s most cherished landscapes.
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