Foothills Trail Repopening

Foothills Trail, between Blair Bridge and the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center underpass, will reopen Saturday, Jan. 11. The trail has been closed since July 29 due to work associated with a flood mitigation project that is still underway in the northeastern portion of Garden of the Gods Park.

Bike Colorado Springs has been disappointed by the prolonged Foothills Trail closure with no safe detour. We are working with Colorado Springs parks and recreation to ensure that future closures of critical pieces of bicycle infrastructure have safe, marked detours in place.

This trail closure was initially planned for a month but then was extended through the end of 2019. The section of the Foothills trail that is being reopened was damaged in a 2013 flood and has been reconstructed along the eastern side of the project area. This much needed improvement replaces the temporary alignment that was created after the flood damage occurred.

“The Foothills Trail is a valuable community asset, and we are appreciative of the patience shown by users during the temporary closure of this well-used trail,” said Mike Chaves, City of Colorado Springs engineering manager.

The Foothills trail which has now reopened, was closed from July 29th 2019 through January 11th 2020

According the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation, the temporary trail closure allowed crews to preserve native vegetation between 30th Street and the construction area. Substantial completion of the flood mitigation project is now expected by the end of March, weather permitting. Additional short closures of the Foothills Trail may occur this spring to allow crews to complete replanting efforts along the trail. The community will be alerted prior to any additional impacts.

Flood Mitigation Project Background

Following an increased risk for flash flooding along Camp Creek and the North and South Douglas creek watersheds following the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012, City officials worked to identify and obtain funding for flood mitigation efforts along both watersheds. In the fall of 2013, the City of Colorado Springs launched the Camp Creek Drainage Improvement Project with extensive community participation to thoughtfully plan short-term and long-term solutions to protect the Camp Creek corridor from flooding and erosion, and to improve public safety. For more information about the drainage improvement plan and Garden of the Gods flood mitigation facility, visit www.ColoradoSprings.gov/CampCreek.