Pikes Peak is world-famous and largely helps define the ethic of Colorado College! A complex mix of public and private dimensions contributes to our "recreation backyard." Over a decade of work has gone into completing a "Ring the Peak" trail, approximately 80% is finished, and is expected to be completed in 4-5 years. As planning continues to "finish the Ring" there are ways to enhance the hiking experience, and plan for the future. One is a hut system around the upper slopes of Pike Peak, connected to the Ring Trail and other aspects of the mountain. Hut systems are increasingly popular. Pikes Peak could be a spectacular addition to the nation's Hut inventory. Knowledge of the existing dimensions to Pikes Peak, including intimate understanding of Ring the Peak, is essential, as is a thorough review of other Hut clusters: their origins, management, problems and success. A proposal for a similar Hut system around Pikes Peak, tied into the current Ring trail, can inform the broader discussion of how/if the Pikes Peak public-private mix of outdoors, tourism and recreation might benefit from Huts.

Team Members: Bradley Bolag-Miller '21, Patricia Pi '21, Saluja Siwakoti '21

Link to Report, Presentation

Pikes Peak is world-famous and largely helps define the ethic of Colorado College! A complex mix of public and private dimensions contributes to our "recreation backyard." Over a decade of work has gone into completing a "Ring the Peak" trail, approximately 80% is finished, with the remaining portion near Cripple Creek and Victor proving contentious and challenging. However, hikers find "informal" ways around the missing portion. How can we best codify this informal hiking? What platforms exist to shuttle people across dangerous territory in other hiking systems? How can we leverage smartphones to make this experience relatively smooth? Look at how other trail systems deal with connectivity issues, look at the current trail system on/around Pikes Peak and come up with a creative solution to the current impasse on the Ring the Peak Trail. How can your plan continue to be of use once the trail is completed?

Team Members: Daniel Allen '20, Connor Nolan '20, Robin Grathwohl '20, Adrian Ward '20

Link to Report, Presentation

The Trump Administration brings new attitudes and approaches to management of public lands. The US Forest Service is undergoing a fundamental reassessment and reorganization review. The ways the FS interacts with the lands it manages and adjacent property owners and communities will change. Within this context, the USFS Pike San Isabel National Forest is a major part of management for and around Pikes Peak. For decades the process by which the FS considers new management proposals and changing conditions is through a lengthy and laborious planning process linked to NEPA's requirement for environmental reviews. An example is underway now: the Summit House on top of Pikes Peak is being replaced with the mountain top being brought back to more natural conditions. The City of Colorado Springs (through its entity Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, a largely self-supporting subsidiary of the City) holds a long-term lease for the Summit House property as well as the Pikes Peak Highway. With completion of the Summit House in a few years, even more visitors/hikers will seek uses/visitation. How might the public and private aspects of the Pikes Peak region's recreation and tourism be organized in harmony with changing approaches to public lands at the federal level? A review of some ways the FS currently participates in public-private partnerships is a first step, and understanding of what is being proposed as changes at the federal level will provide potential options for FS participation. The final step is to propose several models elsewhere that can inform a possible Pikes Peak Region Public-Private Management Partnership.

Team A Members: Ankita Sharma '21, Sierra Takushi '21

Link to Report, Presentation

Team B Members: Carter Eng '19, Jake Chase '19, Jake Shapiro '19, Oliver Dunn '21, Spencer Daigle '21

Link to Report, Presentation

The Pikes Peak region has a multitude of experiences tourists and recreationists can enjoy. The Pikes Peak Attractions group, for instance, has some 30 members. And other opportunities are outside of what they offer. Tourists by the millions come to the region for multi-day stays, attracted by a broad range of outdoor and indoor venues and experiences. In other public-private recreation complexes "passes" sometimes allow multi-venue admission; others offer "passports" that can be stamped. And there are other options that can coordinate visits, and often extend by a day or several tourist stays and the expenditures they represent. Residents of regions might have seasonal or yearly passes, similar to what the National Park Service offers. Lessons can be learned from these other approaches to region-wide admission passes. Might some of these offer options for the Pikes Peak Region? This team topic requires an in depth understanding of the broad range of Pikes Peak Region activities. Also a search for other regions and entities offering coordinated admission can highlight approaches that might be applicable to our region. A set of recommended options for Pikes Peak coordinated admission can provide a foundation for exploration and consideration.

Team Members: Adam Holliday '19, Katie Timzen '19, David Eik '19, Allysa Warling '19

Link to Report, Presentation