Colorado Springs Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces named ‘Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site’

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A national nonprofit organization announced the City of Colorado Springs National Parks, Trails and Open Spaces as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site.

According to city officials, the department joins an elite group of 13 parks nationwide to earn this honor. Additionally, Colorado Springs is the first municipal site to receive this designation and the fourth gold standard site in Colorado.

In Colorado Springs, 16 parks, trails, and open space properties combined earned this national recognition for leadership in outdoor stewardship.

To be named a Gold Standard Site, the following criteria must be met:

• Demonstrate successful implementation of Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics into management, programming, outreach, and education efforts at the site
• Formally train staff and community partners in Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics
• Include Leave No Trace language and messaging on signs at trailheads, visitor centers, and campgrounds as well as in pamphlets, maps, and other distributed materials for visitors
• Facilitate Leave No Trace interpretive programs including ranger talks, campfire events, and trail outings for visitors

“Leave No Trace is thrilled to announce the City of Colorado Springs Regional Parks, Trails and Open Spaces as a designated Gold Standard Site,” said Dana Watts, Leave No Trace executive director in a press release. “The hard work of staff and local community stakeholders means that the City of Colorado Springs is a leading force in the Leave No Trace movement nationally and an example of how effective the role of education is in protecting our public lands. It was a particularly ambitious move to nominate 16 properties for this designation, and Colorado Springs should be proud of its efforts to promote outdoor stewardship across its entire park system.”

The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department is planning to host a community celebration of this designation. Event details will be announced at a later date.

For more information about Leave No Trace in Colorado Springs, click here.