On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the Colorado Springs City Council approved by unanimous vote a major addition of open space property for the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program. This approval allows the City to expand its open space network by 1,018 acres with the addition of the “Wild Horse Ranch” Property from open space partner The Conservation Fund.
Location
The property is located in the Corral Bluffs Candidate Open Space on the city’s eastside. It lies directly south of State Highway 94 near South Franceville Coal Mine Road. It offers views of Pikes Peak and unlocks several significant open space connections, including between Corral Bluffs and Bluestem Prairie open spaces.
The 2014 Park System Master Plan identified this area as a valuable candidate property for the City’s open space system.
Master Plan Process
In forthcoming years, the city will undergo master planning for the site that will include environmental and cultural studies and explore opportunities for passive recreation.
Funding
The $7.5 million purchase was funded with revenues from the TOPS sales tax program with the assistance of acquisition partner The Conservation Fund. In December 2023, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) awarded the City of Colorado Springs $2,000,000 to reimburse the City’s Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program for a portion of the acquisition.
TOPS is a 0.1% sales tax, or 1 penny on a $10 purchase, that was first approved by voters in 1997. It is used to preserve open space, trails and parks. Since its inception, TOPS has preserved more than 7,500 acres of open space.