From trails to recreation to cultural spaces, 2025 report shows how Colorado Springs parks support the community

The City of Colorado Springs has released its 2025 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Annual Report, offering a fuller look at the people, projects and day-to-day work behind a park system that supports quality of life, recreation, culture and environmental stewardship across the city. The report highlights a system that generated an estimated $90 million in annual economic impact while continuing to expand access, improve facilities and invest in long-term care of the places residents use every day.

The report also reflects the scale of that work and community use. In 2025, more than 715,000 people participated in programs and there were more than 22.5 million visits to parks, trails and open spaces across Colorado Springs. The department's work spans 18,675 acres of park land, 326 miles of trails, 137 playgrounds and a wide range of facilities supported by 255 full-time staff.

Beyond the topline numbers, the report shows how PRCS Department is focusing on stewardship and practical improvements that residents can see and use. In 2025, that included opening Grey Hawk Park in north Colorado Springs, improving accessibility at playgrounds and facilities, and upgrading water infrastructure and fire protection in Garden of the Gods Park. PRCS also saved about 40 million gallons of water through irrigation upgrades and landscape changes in 2025, with water-wise improvements projected to save almost $400,000 annually in maintenance costs.

"This report reflects the dedication, expertise and care PRCS staff bring to their work every day," said PRCS Acting Director Kim King. "From maintaining parks and trails to delivering programs, protecting natural resources and creating welcoming spaces across the city, their work helps connect residents to recreation, culture and community."

The report also captures how PRCS connects people to place. Park Rangers logged more than 135,000 contacts across the system, helped maintain and build trails, and supported stewardship and education programs. Cultural Services also opened Until Forever Comes: This is Ute Homeland at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, a major permanent exhibit developed through five years of consultation and collaboration that centers Ute voices and history in the Pikes Peak region.

The department continues to earn national recognition for its work, ranking among the top 3% of park and recreation agencies nationwide through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies' (CAPRA) reaccreditation.

The full 2025 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Annual Report is available at: ColoradoSprings.gov/PRCSReports.