City Council discussing free reservation system for Manitou Incline next week

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- On Tuesday, August 4th, Manitou City Council will hold a meeting with plans to discuss the option of opening the incline with a free reservation system.

Since the Manitou Incline closure in late March, City Staff has been working to develop a plan that would allow the Incline to open but with certain health and safety standards implemented.  

Under the proposed system, reservations would be limited to 45 people per 30-minute window. The first two weeks of operation would be limited to 35 people for a 30-minute window.

Also, the incline would limit reservation hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, and reservations could be made up to seven days in advance.

Anyone who uses the incline would need a reservation, unless they arrive on foot or by bicycle, and would need to provide proof that they parked at Hiawatha Gardens or the Iron Springs Chateau.

Manitou Incline users would also need to wear a mandatory wristband.

Reservation of groups larger than four people would need to be coordinated directly with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.

For anyone who uses the Manitou Incline without a valid reservation and during closed hours, they may be issued a trespass citation.

The Incline has been closed since mid March due to COVID-19 concerns, and the city said it was previously looking into a reservation system that could charge hikers a minimum of $5 to access the old Manitou Cog Railway ties up Mt. Manitou.

The City of Manitou Springs is recommending approval of the Memorandum on Tuesday, August 4th, which would then be passed along to the City of Colorado Springs for their approval as well.