Giant ‘M’ returns to mountainside to celebrate 150th anniversary of the Manitou Springs School District
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A school tradition that was put on hiatus for decades is returning to Manitou Springs and the Manitou Springs School District this year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the district.
A giant 'M' will return to the mountainside next to the water tower in Manitou this year thanks to a collaboration between alumni, school staff, the Manitou Springs Fire Dept., and historians.
The district said the 'M' is for Manitou and is all about school and town pride. The tradition first started in the 1950s with the Manitou Springs School District’s Pep Club but has been on pause for a few decades. Over the years, different organizations took on the responsibility of hiking up the mountain to maintain the 'M'.
According to the district, 16 people spent 55 hours over six weeks working to restore the 'M' for the 150th celebration. The rocks that make up the 40-foot tall 'M' are whitewashed with 13 gallons of environmentally safe paint.
As part of the 150th celebration, the district will unveil the 'M' on Friday, Sept. 30 during the homecoming parade, which will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
