Cheyenne Mountain State Park expands by nearly 500 acres in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS — Cheyenne Mountain State Park will expand by nearly 500 acres as part of a conservation effort to increase outdoor recreation access and protect open space in southern Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the city of Colorado Springs and community partners announced the expansion, which includes the 357-acre Denman property and the city’s purchase of an adjacent 127-acre parcel. The additions bring Cheyenne Mountain State Park to about 3,184 acres.

CPW and Colorado Springs Utilities also signed an agreement to expand recreation at Rosemont Reservoir on Pikes Peak. The agreement allows for basic campsites, managed overnight camping and recreational boating opportunities for hand-launched, hand-powered and electric-powered watercraft.

“These projects expand public access opportunities and support the future of outdoor recreation in Colorado,” CPW Director Laura Clellan said. “The expansion of Cheyenne Mountain State Park and new camping opportunities at Rosemont Reservoir on Pikes Peak show what can be achieved when partners share a vision and work together to increase access to Colorado’s outdoors.”

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Rosemont Reservoir project is expected later this summer.

The Cheyenne Mountain expansion was completed with support from the Trust for Public Land and marks the organization’s 5,000th land protection project. The newly protected property had previously been approved for the development of 95 single-family homes.

“This is more than a land acquisition,” Cheyenne Mountain State Park Manager Jason Hagan said. “It reflects decades of partnership and a shared commitment to protect important landscapes while creating recreation opportunities across the region.”

The project builds on more than two decades of conservation work between Colorado Springs and CPW through the city’s voter-supported Trails, Open Space and Parks program.

The park also opened 11 new full-hookup campsites, bringing its total to 62, along with 10 tent sites and a group tent area.

Colorado Lottery funding supported CPW’s Denman acquisition. CPW receives 10% of Colorado Lottery proceeds, which support trails, land acquisition, facility improvements and conservation projects at state parks.

Future plans could include natural resource surveys, fire mitigation, trail planning and coordination with community and military partners.