Cheyenne Mountain State Park is growing. The plan to expand the local gem of a state park has been in the works a long time, but in December the Colorado General Assembly Capital Development Committee approved Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s plan to acquire key parcels of land at the park’s entrance, allowing it to move forward.
“This project has been more than two decades in the making,” said Frank McGee, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Southeast Region manager. “Cheyenne Mountain State Park represents the protection of one of the most important open spaces along the southern Front Range, and this expansion reflects a long-standing partnership with the City of Colorado Springs and other partners working together to protect this landscape.”
The approval allows Colorado Parks and Wildlife to proceed with the fee-title acquisition of approximately 357 acres, known as the Denman property, at a cost of $8.93 million. The acquisition is being completed with the assistance of Trust for Public Land, which will contract with the landowner before selling the property to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
In addition, the City of Colorado Springs has approved the purchase of an adjacent nearly 126-acre parcel, which will be managed as part of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Together, the acquisitions add approximately 483 acres, increasing the park’s total size to approximately 3,184 acres.
“The City of Colorado Springs is proud to be part of this collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Trust for Public Land,” said Lonna Thelen, City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Trails, Open Space and Parks programs manager. “Each partner brings unique strengths to this effort, allowing us to acquire land and expand access to Cheyenne Mountain State Park so residents and visitors can enjoy this landscape for generations to come.”
About 60% of the park is owned by the City of Colorado Springs and managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a partnership that has shaped the park since its inception. The newly approved city parcel will be added under the same management framework.
What Does the Expansion Mean for the Future?
The acquisition advances long-term planning for the 26-mile, master-planned Chamberlain Trail. The eventual goal is to expand the trail to connect all the way from Blodgett Peak to Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Additional planning is required before future trail segments are developed, but adding the new land to public ownership takes a step toward that long-term vision.
The newly acquired parcels currently support a wide range of wildlife, including black bear, mule deer, bobcat, prairie dogs and raptors. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be able to protect habitat while also planning for future trails and recreational activities, including hiking and mountain biking.
The land purchase also allows Colorado Parks and Wildlife to install signage and improve visibility at the park’s main entrance along Colorado Highway 115.
“Cheyenne Mountain State Park welcomes significant visitation, but we still hear from first-time visitors who say they didn’t realize the park was even here,” said Jason Hagan, Cheyenne Mountain State Park manager. “Bringing this land into public ownership allows us to protect the park’s entrance and preserve this landscape for the long term.”
Hagan said the effort has received strong support from Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and Fort Carson, helping prevent future development that could have created military encroachment concerns while preserving the scenic gateway into the park.
Once the land is added to the park, volunteers will play a key role in stewardship, assisting with trail maintenance and construction, fire mitigation work and ongoing care, Hagan said.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park opened in 2006 and currently encompasses approximately 2,701 acres. It’s a popular spot for hiking, biking and camping on the southwest side of Colorado Springs. It’s easy to reach location offers outdoor experiences that feel much farther removed from the city than it actually is. And it is the gateway to the Dixon Trail which leads to the summit of the prominent Cheyenne Mountain.
The acquisition of the new parcels is funded by state lottery funds allocated to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Final transaction steps are expected to proceed following the committee’s approval.
Learn more about Cheyenne Mountain State Park at cpw.state.co.us.
