(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — El Paso County will be hosting an open house for Paint Mines Interpretative Park on Thursday, Sept. 19.
The El Paso County Parks and Community Services has begun developing a plan to handle the growing number of visitors that visit the park to protect the delicate rock formations. Just in 2023, the park received 70,700 visits.
The Master Plan is set to be completed in Spring 2025. The planning process includes; analyzing data, current information about park visitation, geological aspects and finally seeking public input before setting a long-term Master Plan for Paint Mines.
Currently, the plan proposes a variety of solutions for different issues that have arisen due to the high volume of visitors such as; vehicle congestion, limited ADA accessibility, and vegetation degradation. The plan proposes an expansion of parking, moving trails out of sensitive areas, and adding accessible paths to the park, in addition to an entry plaza and more.
The plan is set to enhance the visitor experience while also protecting the park. Individuals are invited to attend the next public house which seeks to hear back from the community on Sept. 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Swink Hall at the El Paso County Fair and Events Center in Calhan.
