Fishers Canyon Open Space Master and Management Plan
We would like to thank the community for their involvement throughout the public process as we shape the future of Fishers Canyon Open Space. The Parks Advisory Board approved the recommended Master and Management Plan on May 8, 2025. Official adoption of the master plan is pending the outcome of the Citizen Appeal of the Parks Board Decision to City Council.
Thanks to your input, the plan balances recreational opportunities with cultural and natural resource protection in this incredible open space. The plan is now available for public viewing.
The Approved Master and Management Plan Appendices and Large Format Trail Maps are provided in the Document Library below.
Presentations to the TOPS Working Committee and Parks Advisory Board
On March 13, 2025, Parks staff gave their first presentation of the Recommended Master and Management Plan to the TOPS Working Committee and Parks Advisory Board. This presentation provided an overview of the public process and the master and management plan recommendations.
On April 10, 2025, Parks staff gave their second presentation of the Recommended Master and Management Plan to the TOPS Working Committee and the Parks Advisory Board. This presentation proposes strategies that aim to create a sustainable and enjoyable outdoor experience while ensuring the safety of both the natural environment and the community.
On May 8, 2025, Parks Parks staff gave their final presentation of the Recommended Master and Management Plan to the Parks Advisory Board. Parks Advisory Board approved the plan, however the plan is pending appeal to City Council in late June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the recommended master and management plan including important topics such as open space access, trailheads and parking, wildfire risk management, safety concerns and much more:
About
In October 2021, Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approved the proposal to acquire 343 acres of open space known as Fishers Canyon located in the southwestern most corner of Colorado Springs due west of the Broadmoor Bluffs and Spires neighborhoods. This property is bordered on the west by Pike National Forest, to the north by holdings of the Broadmoor Hotel, and to the south by the Cheyenne Mountain State Park and the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
Fishers Canyon Open Space was acquired through two-phases (November 2021 and March 2022) with PRCS partners at The Conservation Fund. This property was funded by revenues from the TOPS sales tax ($2.95 million) and a $1.25 million acquisition grant from the Land Water Conservation Fund.
This propery drapes across steep terrain that ranges from 6,650 feet along the eastern edge to 9,000 feet at the northwestern point. The landscape features ravines, granite cliff faces, mixed conifer forests, and Gamble oak savanna. The land has welcomed wildlife, Native Americans, and settlers over time. Currently, the site has no access except for a small network of social trails used by neighboring residents and 20th century tourism trail remnants from the Broadmoor Hotel.
This open space boasts soaring city and mountain views and unlocks a key connection for the Chamberlain Trail. This envisioned 26-mile master-planned trail will traverse through Blodgett Open Space, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Bear Creek Regional Park, Stratton Open Space, North Cheyenne Cañon Park, and Fishers Canyon Open Space. This alignment will also advance the future development of the Cheyenne Mountain Heritage Trail, the 30-mile trail envisioned to circumnavigate the base of Cheyenne Mountain. This trail will replicate the historic riding trails used by Spencer Penrose and complement the Ring the Peak Trail, ultimately creating a unique “figure eight” of back country trail opportunities.
For more information including a StoryMap and site photos, visit Fishers Canyon Open Space.
Public Engagement
Engagement Summaries
- Stakeholder Focus Group meetings
- Community Survey #1
- Community Meeting #1
- Community Survey #2
- Neighborhood Site Tour
Trail Alternatives
Following the public meeting on Nov. 19, planners developed two Trail Alternatives based upon community feedback and the sustainable trails framework. Physically challenging trails, accessible trails, the Chamberlain Trail, potential connections to Cheyenne Mountain State Park, picnic areas and access to rock climbing are opportunities identified on the two alternatives.
Trails alternative 1
Focuses on the eastern portion of the site, preserving approximately 200 acres (58%). It proposes 5 to 6 miles of multi-use trails, including a paved, accessible half-mile loop and 6 trail node connections. In response to neighborhood feedback, there is also a future potential off-site access and parking north of the site at a future potential location near Cheyenne Mountain Highway.
Trails alternative 2
Preserves roughly 160 acres (46%) and offers a more extensive multi-use trail system of 10 to 11 miles, with 15 trail node connections. It includes the same paved, accessible trail and the Chamberlain Trail connection, but adds a one-mile soft-surface loop and potential seasonal rock-climbing areas. A new trail called Fishers Canyon Trail is also introduced in this alternative. This would be a hiking only trail that doesn't allow dogs but would provide seasonal access to higher parts of the site including those potential rock-climbing areas. There is also a potential off-site parking access that would connect future visitors to Fishers Canyon through a rugged trail from Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Parking Alternatives
Following the public meeting on Nov. 19, planners developed two Parking Alternatives based upon community and neighborhood feedback, sustainable planning and scientific site surveys. The two alternatives show potential locations and a range in the number of parking spaces.
Trailhead Parking alternative 1
Presents two parking areas. The northern route takes visitors to an accessible parking lot adjacent the paved accessible trail and soft-surface, low-slope trail. The southwest road takes visitors to a one-way parking loop with a trailhead. Parking is envisioned to be adaptive to use. This plan starts with 33 parking spots and is expandable to 77, focusing on day-use access while minimizing street parking concerns.
Trailhead Parking alternative 2
All elements of this alternative are the same as alternative 1, except the adaptive parking range in this alternative proposes an initial 69 spots with a possible future expansion up to 110 spots.
Both alternatives propose trailhead permissible uses including restrooms, waste receptacles, signage kiosks, picnic tables and benches. The current online survey asks the community to weigh in on their comfort range for these two parking alternatives.
Past Meetings
Open House
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 22
- Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School (1200 W. Cheyenne Road)
Meeting Materials:
- Presentation Slideshow
- See the Document Library tab for appendices and plan maps
Second Community Meeting
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024
- Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School (1200 W. Cheyenne Road)
First Community Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School, (1200 W Cheyenne Road)
Meeting Materials:
Document Library
Appendices
- Appendices Cover
- Appendix A: Fishers Canyon Traffic Impact Assessment
- Appendix B: MSO Year 1 Protocol Survey Report
- Appendix C: Baseline Inventory, Natural Resources Assessment, and Constraints Report
- Appendix D: Invasive Species Map
- Appendix E: Existing Open Space Recreation Opportunities Inventory
- Appendix F: Focus Groups Summary
- Appendix G: Survey 1 Results
- Appendix H: Community Meeting and Survey Results
- Appendix I: Neighborhood Site Tour Results
- Appendix J: Youth Engagement Summary
- Appendix K: Alternatives Community Meeting and Survey Results
- Appendix M: FMP Emails, Dec 01, 2023-April 21, 2025
- Appendix N: The Mountain Preserve - PUD/HS Development Plan
- Appendix O: Engineering Geology Study
- Appendix P: Fishers Canyon Draft Plan Community Survey Results
- Appendix Q: Community Engagement Scans
- Appendix R: General Warranty Deed - The Spires
- Appendix S: Inventory of Ute Traditional-Use Plants
- Appendix T: KASA Adaptive Trail Standards - 2020
- Appendix U: Colorado Springs Wildfire Ready
- Appendix V: CSFD Community Wildfire Protection Plan