Ute Valley Park Trails

Near Colorado Springs     |     8 Miles     |     Moderate     |     6,449 Feet     |     Network

Ute Valley is a city park in the northwest part of town. The dominant feature is the hogback ridge on the west side. A number of trails intertwine throughout the park and areas to the east. This a popular place for both hiking and biking with many sandstone cliffs and mesas but also some flat and wooded areas. Take your time to explore all the different parts of the park.

This place has a great combination of fast trails and technical sections. At times the trail is a bit wide but this allows for more speed and greater air on the jumps. Some of the hills offer great technical practice. This place is great

Ute Valley Park Fuels Mitigation Project

Project Overview:

The Colorado Springs Fire Department in conjunction with City Forestry and Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is interested in reducing wildfire risk in Ute Valley Park and surrounding neighborhoods. The intent of the project is to reduce critical fuel loading and modify fuel structure by limbing, thinning stand density, modification/chipping of any dead and down woody debris and the removal of live, dead and diseased standing vegetation within Ute Valley Park.

The total project area is approximately 294.73 acres and divided into four management units. The vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, Gamble oak, juniper and grassy meadows.

Project Goals:

Reduce the wildfire risk to the park and surrounding neighborhoods -Protect critical infrastructure by reducing wildfire risk to adjacent access roads and utilities – Prevention of slope erosion by reducing wildfire risk – Reducing wildfire risk to wildlife habitat, recreation resources, biological areas and natural and cultural resources (i.e. trails, scenic vistas, riparian, historical, archeological)

Fuels Mitigation Project Timeline (Tentative)

  • May 2018 – Contractor(s) to begin fuels mitigation project
  • Mid Fall 2018 – Completion of the fuels mitigation project

When Visiting Ute Valley Park:

Please use caution as mitigation crews will be working throughout the management units. We appreciate your patience with the fuels mitigation work and ask that trails users please follow all posted trail closures and warning signage located throughout the park.

  • Crews are currently flagging management units with ribbon tape. Please do not remove.
  • Do no enter work areas unless authorized
  • Be aware of possible debris around crews working
  • Please keep your dog(s) on a leash at all times
  • You may encounter working machinery, please keep your distance
  •  Please respect temporary trails closures, these will be posted at trailheads and trail junctions when needed.

Contact:

For more information please contact the Colorado Springs Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Team at 719-385-7281

https://coloradosprings.gov/utefuels