Graffiti discovered on Manitou Springs Incline

A man was caught vandalizing national forest property, on the top of the Manitou Springs Incline.

Investigators from the El Paso County Sheriff’s office said the suspect, 20-year-old Andres Blea was contacted and summoned on Monday. Blea will now go to court and face charges of criminal mischief.

Investigators said Blea left behind graffiti on pieces of cement – leftover property from the original summit house.

“They have historical value. They’ve been there over 100 years,” said Ryan Johnson, president of Incline Friends.

Hikers snapped photos of the man who was using several cans of spray paint. They said they asked him to stop, but he refused.

“A lot of sweat blood and tears have been poured into the trail, so to see someone deface it…it really hits a nerve with a lot of people,” Johnson said.

“Seeing that almost demotes what you’re here for. You work so hard to get to the top then you finally get up there and you see graffiti,” said Angel Abing, a frequent Incline hiker.