City continues investment in North Cheyenne Cañon with Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center improvements

The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Department will begin improvements to the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center in early March 2026, enhancing accessibility, visitor experience, and educational programming at the entrance to North Cheyenne Cañon Park.

The project will include construction of a new outdoor plaza and classroom space, ADA-compliant pedestrian routes, renovation of public restrooms, relocation and improvement of parking, and removal of damaged site lighting. The outdoor plaza will provide flexible space for school programs, community events, and interpretive education.

North Cheyenne Cañon Park welcomes approximately 450,000 visitors each year. As the primary gateway to the park, the Starsmore Visitor and Nature Center plays a key role in environmental education and visitor orientation.

"These improvements ensure that the Starsmore remains accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all residents and visitors," said Parks Operations Administrator Cathy Railton. "This project reflects the City's continued investment in North Cheyenne Cañon Park and our commitment to stewardship of this cherished natural resource."

Construction is tentatively scheduled for March 9 through May 22, 2026. Construction impacts during the project include:

• A section of S. Cheyenne Canyon Road adjacent to the facility will be closed during most of construction.
• Parking Lot #1 ("Pull-Off 1") will be closed.
• Parking will remain available at Parking Lot #2 ("Pull-Off 2") via Evans Ave.
• Visitors should follow posted detour signage.
• The Visitor and Nature Center will remain open except during limited hazardous construction activities.

The project is funded through a combination of City and community partnership sources, including support from the City's Office of Accessibility, the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART), the Mary Starsmore Fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, the Friends of Cheyenne Cañon, and the North Cheyenne Cañon Park Ambassadors Gift Trust. The collaborative funding approach reflects a shared commitment to accessibility, visitor experience, and long-term stewardship of North Cheyenne Cañon Park.

For more information, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/StarsmoreImprovements.