Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation& Conservation Vision Plan
Background – The Why
The Pikes Peak region’s iconic landscapes and abundant recreation opportunities contribute significantly to quality of life and economic vitality. However, unprecedented front-range growth threatens both natural resources and recreational experiences. Not designed for sustained high use, outdoor infrastructure such as campgrounds and trailheads are overrun and insufficient for the demand. The challenges we were seeing before the pandemic have been greatly magnified now and the need for planning for our future has never been more important. PPORA has focused on these issues and the need for planning over the last several years, launching the Pikes Peak Sustainable Recreation & Tourism Initiative, that included an objective of finding a collaborative planning grant to move the initiative forward.
Such a timely opportunity arose and the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) was selected as a Colorado Outdoor Regional Partner through the Colorado Outdoor Partnership to advance recreation and conservation planning for the Pikes Peak region in 2021. The Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership is funded jointly through Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado and was developed to ensure that our state remains a world- class destination for outdoor recreation while preserving our land, water, wildlife, and quality of life.
The Regional Partnership goal: working to ensure that Colorado’s public and private lands, waters, wildlife and communities thrive while providing for equitable access and quality outdoor recreation experiences.
This multi-phased planning initiative seeks to bring together people, information, and innovative ideas to collaboratively address this region’s recreation and conservation needs and aspirations for today and the future, while also tackling the obstacles to implementation.
Such a timely opportunity arose and the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) was selected as a Colorado Outdoor Regional Partner through the Colorado Outdoor Partnership to advance recreation and conservation planning for the Pikes Peak region in 2021. The Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership is funded jointly through Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado and was developed to ensure that our state remains a world- class destination for outdoor recreation while preserving our land, water, wildlife, and quality of life.
The Regional Partnership goal: working to ensure that Colorado’s public and private lands, waters, wildlife and communities thrive while providing for equitable access and quality outdoor recreation experiences.
This multi-phased planning initiative seeks to bring together people, information, and innovative ideas to collaboratively address this region’s recreation and conservation needs and aspirations for today and the future, while also tackling the obstacles to implementation.
Leadership & Partners – The Who
Once awarded the grant, PPORA raised up a Task Force of local stakeholders with varying perspectives across recreation and conservation to provide perspective, expertise, and leadership. The PPORA Advisory Council serves as an additional layer of perspective in the planning process. We also established two key partnerships for executing the first phase: the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) and the Colorado Tourism Office. We have engaged in the professional planning services of local consultants, N.E.S. Inc., to provide strategic support and expertise in this important planning process. During the second phase, a significant emphasis is on public engagement to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences to inform the process and help flesh out conservation and recreation priorities.
The Initiative – The What
Phase 1: Fall 2021-Summer 2022
Phase one of the PPORA planning process included the following:
Phase one of the PPORA planning process included the following:
- Creation of Task Force of Key Stakeholders
- Creation of Pikes Peak Outdoor Economy Data hub
- Review of Existing Planning Documents
- Land Manager & Stakeholder Needs/Aspiration Assessments
- Evaluation of Creative Management Models & Solutions
Phase 2: Summer 2022 – Summer 2024
Phase two of the PPORA planning process includes the following:
Phase two of the PPORA planning process includes the following:
- Refining of Phase One Data into Meaningful Summaries, Graphics, Metrics, and Dashboards
- Creation of Multi-layer Map of Region’s Natural & Recreation Data
– Bringing priority GIS data into a single map on Data Hub - Public Engagement
– In multiple formats with refined approach for each county
– Consisting of one-on-one discussions, surveys, open houses both online/virtual and in-person - Recommendation of creative management solutions that fit our region
– Specific to highest need/most challenging areas
– Incorporating land manager and stakeholder identified needs - Drafting and Finalizing of Vision Plan
- Plan Endorsement/Adoption
