Friday, April 10, 2026 11:30 AM-4:30 PM
Penrose House Conference Center, Colorado Springs
Event Details
Join us for the 7th annual Pikes Peak Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit! This hands-on, workshop-style event is designed to inspire, connect, and empower outdoor leaders through impactful speakers and forward-thinking discussions. This year’s theme, Peak Pathways: Pioneering Sustainable Growth in the Pikes Peak region, highlights the power of working together to shape the region’s outdoor economy. The full agenda offers plenty of opportunities to learn and network, featuring 8 small-group breakout sessions, interactive discussions, and a lively happy hour.
Whether you’re a land manager, business leader, nonprofit partner, elected official, or outdoor advocate, this is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect, collaborate, and help shape what’s next.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
11:15 AM Doors Open for Check-in
11:45 AM Summit & Lunch Begins
12:00 PM Opening Session & Keynote
1:00 PM Breakout Sessions – Part 1
2:00 PM Breakout Sessions – Part 2
3:00 PM Table Discussion Activity
3:40 PM Happy Hour/Closing Remarks
4:30 PM Summit Adjourned!
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PROGRAM DETAILS:
OPENING SESSION
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER – CONOR HALL
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We’re excited to welcome Conor Hall, Director of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, as this year’s keynote speaker. His insights into statewide outdoor recreation strategy, economic impact, and partnership opportunities will help set the tone for meaningful conversations and forward-looking solutions.
Conor hails from the mountains of Southwest Colorado. During his career he has served as a Senior Advisor to Governor John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael Bloomberg and helped create billions of dollars in public funding for conservation, climate and more equitable access to nature during his time at the Trust for Public Land. In early 2022, he was appointed by Governor Polis to lead the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. He is an avid outdoorsman, co-founded the Outside Summit and Festival, host of the PBS TV show Colorado Uncharted and proudly serves on a number of nonprofit boards including Better Together Denver, Stand for Courage and the Colorado Outdoor Equity Fund.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
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The summit will feature seven engaging breakout sessions covering timely and relevant topics across our outdoor landscape, from recreation management and infrastructure to industry trends and emerging opportunities. These are the topics:
Biking Toward a World-Class Destination
Biking has the potential to play a defining role in establishing the Pikes Peak region as a world-class outdoor recreation destination. This session will explore what the region already offers—from trail systems to terrain that attracts riders—and what opportunities lie ahead. From expanded trail networks to the possibility of a regional bike park, panelists will discuss what it will take to elevate the Pikes Peak region onto the global biking map.
Ring the Peak: The Trail That Could Define a Region
The vision of the Ring the Peak Trail has inspired outdoor leaders for years. What was the original vision? What challenges have slowed progress? And why is the project gaining new momentum now? This session will explore the past, present, and potential future of this iconic trail concept and what it could mean for recreation and connectivity around Pikes Peak.
Fisher’s Canyon: A Climber’s Dream?
Fisher’s Canyon has long been viewed as an exciting opportunity to expand access to one of the region’s hidden outdoor gems. One group especially interested in its future is the local climbing community. Join this session to learn why Fisher’s Canyon holds such promise and hear from those helping shape its future following extensive community input and planning.
Sentinel Landscape: A Regional Opportunity
In this session, you’ll learn about the Sentinel Landscape designation supported by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of War. What could this designation mean for conservation across the Pikes Peak region? How might it expand recreation opportunities while strengthening the resilience and readiness of local military installations? Join the conversation to explore the possibilities for this nationally recognized partnership.
Keeping it Wild: Wildlife Updates from Colorado Parks & WIldlife
Representatives from Colorado Parks and Wildlife will share updates on wildlife trends, habitat priorities, and current management efforts across the Pikes Peak region. As communities grow and outdoor recreation expands, understanding how wildlife is managed becomes increasingly important. Learn about the issues shaping wildlife stewardship today—and how they influence the future of outdoor recreation in our region.
Doubling Down on Stewardship: Introducing the Pikes Peak Outdoor Ambassador Program
As visitation continues to grow, helping people recreate responsibly has never been more important. The pilot Pikes Peak Outdoor Ambassador Program led by Rocky Mountain Field Institute as part of the region’s Peak Exceptionalism project connects with visitors and residents to promote stewardship, safety, and positive outdoor experiences. This session will highlight how the program works, the impact it’s having across the region, and how it may continue to grow.
Pay-to-Play: Funding Our Outdoor Future
As outdoor recreation grows, so does the challenge of funding the infrastructure and stewardship that support it. This discussion will explore existing and emerging funding models—from the long-standing user-supported systems behind hunting, fishing, and OHV recreation to new ideas being considered in Colorado and beyond. Join us as we examine how those who enjoy the outdoors might help sustain it.
Fremont County Projects & Initatives
Home to the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge ans majestic public lands wile rooted in traditional values and heritage; hear from community leaders and agency heads that are jointly working towards a resilient economic and land health future through collaboration and partnerships.
TABLE DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
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In addition to structured sessions, attendees will participate in facilitated table discussions centered on key regional priorities, creating space for shared learning, cross-sector connection, and practical next steps.
SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
The event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers and panelists, including local industry leaders, outdoor recreation advocates, and conservation experts. These include the following (more names will be added) Nic Ponsor – Criterium Bike Shop, Carl Woody – Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Tim Kroening – Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Conor Hall – OREC, Becky Leinweber – PPORA, Phil Wortmann – Pikes Peak Climber’s Alliance, David Deitemeyer – CS Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, Skyler Rorabaugh – Pikes Peak America’s Mountain, Micah Rice – Colorado Springs Sports Corp, Mike Rigney – Trails and Open Space Coalition, Cory Sutela – Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, Conner Borkowski – PPORA, Ken Murphy – H2O Ventures, Jeff Davis – Pikes Peak Climber’s Alliance, Paul O’Brien – Pikes Peak Sentinel Landscape, Carl Bauer, U.S. Forest Service, Amy Kelley – US Air Force Academy
NETWORKING HAPPY HOUR
We’ll wrap up the afternoon with a networking happy hour, a chance to continue conversations, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the momentum building across our outdoor community.
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Sponsorship opportunities are available for your consideration. Please help us make this an outstanding event in 2026, and plan to join us again next year. Please email kristen@ppora.org to learn how you can be involved or sponsor, or visit our website for more information.
