New initiatives in an effort to protect Paint Mines
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - Visiting the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is encouraged, however, climbing on them might get you in trouble.
El Paso County leaders say people are climbing on the natural rock formations, which could be causing further unforeseeable damage to the rocks.
Now, the county is making an effort to push out park rules after multiple posts on social media that depict people taking pictures on the rocks.
"It is important to respect the paint mines formations because they are fragile, they are clay top with sandstone and the clay has iron in it which overtimes it turns different colors," said Greg Stachon, a landscape architect with El Paso County Parks.
The Paint Mines are sedimentary rocks. That means jumping on them, climbing on them, or even walking on them, will cause irreversible erosion.
El Paso County is working on restoration that began last fall. The $320,000 project includes drainage to keep water off trails, signage warning visitors to stay off the rock formations, fencing to keep visitors off unofficial trails, and expanding the parking lot.
There will also be staff members on the weekends helping out with the education of the delicacy of the rock formations.
In August of 2020, El Paso County dealt with people spray-painting and carving their names into the rocks.
Additionally, anyone caught climbing the rocks could face a $200 fine.
