COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department will begin implementing nightly after-hour gate closures in Red Rock Canyon Open Space on Friday, Feb. 5. The gates, located at the park’s main entrance off Highway 24, will restrict access while the park is closed, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. (Nov. 1-April 30) and 10 p.m.-5 a.m. (May 1-Oct. 31).

The goal of nightly gating is to help curtail illegal activity that regularly occurs when the park is closed, including illegal dumping and fires. This follows the successful overnight gating of other popular City parks over the last few years, including North Cheyenne Cañon Park (2019), Garden of the Gods Park (2018) and Palmer Park (2015).

“We believe the installation and implementation of this gate system will benefit the long-term health and safety of Red Rock Canyon Open Space, its visitors and the wildlife who call it home,” said Kurt Schroeder, park maintenance and operations manager. “Encouraged by the success we’ve seen in other city parks, we anticipate that overnight gating will have a lasting, positive influence here as well. As managers of these treasured public spaces, we have an obligation to maintain them now and long into the future.”

The gates will also allow for closures during emergency situations when evacuation would be deemed necessary and for partial closures to facilitate maintenance operations.

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Media note: A photo of the gate at the main parking lot in Red Rock Canyon Open Space is attached for your use (credit: City of Colorado Springs).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Vanessa Zink

Senior Communications Specialist

719-491-0363