Ballot initiative could help repair trails

It’s been a hard summer on the trails throughout Colorado Springs.

On top of the thousands of feet that hit the trails every day, 20 inches of rain also drenched the trails since the beginning of May.

“The heavy rain on Monday did take a toll on our trails,” Susan Davies with the Trails Open Spaces Coalition said.

The Pikes Peak Greenway Trail is closed south of Dorchester Park. The Midland Trail is also closed from 30-25th streets.

“Fortunately our trails are well-constructed, so they usually return to their original shape after the water goes away,” Davies said.

But the constant foot traffic and heavy rain has caused a need for repairs — a need that Davies said could pose safety concerns.

“There are cracks and holes that need to be taken care of. It’s like our streets; there are potholes in our trail system,” Davies explained. “It could be dangerous for people using them.”

Help could be on the way.

Council voted 8-1 to place a measure on the November ballot that would use $2.1 million in excess revenue from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) that would fund badly needed repairs for trails.

Councilman Keith King said this measure could come in the nick of time.

“I think if we are going to keep the trails up and make sure they are safe for people to be out on, this is the most critical year because of what kind of damage the weather has caused,” King said.

He said it’s not just a matter of public safety, but also economic help.

“This is really an economic development issue for Colorado Springs. It’s a way for us to continue to develop our infrastructure and make it appeal to people across the U.S. so they come and spend money here,” King said.

If voters say no, they will be refunded about $11 per household.

If they say yes, eight trails will be getting repairs that leaders said are a safety concern if not taken care of. For a list of trails on the agenda for repairs, click here.