Popular Rainbow Falls in Manitou Springs remains closed, reopening date uncertain

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A local attraction that generations of people have enjoyed since the mid-1800s was supposed to open earlier this month but remains closed because of safety issues.

El Paso County officials said that the Rainbow Falls Historic Site, off Serpentine Drive on the west end of town, is experiencing falling rocks from overhead cliffs onto vehicles in the small parking lot.

Officials plan to hire a contractor to analyze the situation and determine a solution, which could include providing parking options.

"It would be very normal to work with someone who specializes in this, to make sure that the work is done right and safely, so that citizens can get back out there and enjoy Rainbow Falls as soon as possible," said county spokesman Ryan Parsell.

The namesake falls contain Fountain Creek water flowing under the U.S. 24 exit ramp into town, over colorful rock formations and ultimately draining into the Arkansas River; the ramp is part of a unique-style bridge that was built in 1932.

The five-acre site includes a trailhead, covered kiosk with historical and geological interpretive information, picnic benches and tables, a short trail from the parking area to the falls, secondary trails along the creek, and viewing overlooks.

Rainbow Falls was formerly owned by the Ducharme family, but over time fell into decline and became a magnet for litter and graffiti.

Cleanup work began in 2005 and the family donated the property to the county in 2009.

The property was further damaged by flooding after the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire damaged the area; the Colorado Department of Transportation stabilized the creek banks and repaired the road and trail leading to the falls.

County commissioners designated the property a historic site in 2016, hoping to restore its natural beauty and prevent future damage.

The falls normally are open weekends in April and May, then four days per week in June and July, returning to weekend hours in September and October before closing for the season.

"They did change the hours," said Susan Davies, who heads the Trails & Open Space Coalition. "They turned it into a historic site because they were having so much trouble with vandalism. So, for that reason, it has certain hours of operation. They're a little more restrictive that your typical county park. But that has saved the county thousands of dollars in vandalism costs."

Davies said that she'd like to see more parking provided.

"We have more people coming here, people from all over the world, and only a dozen or so parking spaces," she said. "I think they'll eventually have to go to a shuttle system, but I don't think that's in the budget right now."

The falls had spiritual importance for native Ute tribes and became a marker on the old Ute Trail, and was seen by gold and silver prospectors traveling to Cripple Creek as early as 1859.

For more information, visit: https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/rainbow-falls-historic-site/.

In a related matter, Davies confirmed that the county is working on its revising its master plan for the Paint Mines park near Calhan.

The county recently completed repairs to damaged colorful but fragile rock formations, and made other improvements, caused by a large increase in visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I know there's been one suggestion of turning management over to a private entity," Davies said. "I'd like to see that conversation. I'd like to see a visitor's center, more security, maybe surround it with a fence as they have at Rainbow falls. We've got to find a way to secure and protect it."