Colorado Parks and Wildlife has approved a significant expansion of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, adding 483 acres to one of the Pikes Peak region’s most popular outdoor destinations. The acquisition marks the largest growth of the park since its opening in 2006 and is expected to reshape both visitor access and long‑term conservation planning along the southern edge of Colorado Springs.

The newly added acreage sits along the park’s eastern boundary, creating a more visible and welcoming “front door” from Colorado Highway 115. CPW officials say the expansion will improve sightlines, trail connectivity, and habitat protection in an area increasingly pressured by development. The land includes mixed‑grass prairie, foothills shrubland, and critical wildlife corridors used by deer, black bears, and migrating birds.

Park managers emphasized that the expansion is not simply about adding space but about strengthening ecological resilience. The new acreage provides a buffer between the park’s interior habitat and the rapidly growing neighborhoods to the east. It also offers opportunities for future trail loops, educational sites, and improved staging areas for search‑and‑rescue operations, which have increased alongside visitation.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park has seen steady growth in annual attendance, driven by its proximity to the city and its reputation for well‑maintained trails, dark‑sky viewing, and diverse wildlife. The expansion comes at a time when Colorado’s state park system is experiencing record demand, prompting CPW to pursue strategic land acquisitions that balance recreation with habitat protection.

Funding for the expansion came from a combination of Great Outdoors Colorado grants, CPW conservation dollars, and private landowner negotiations. Officials noted that the purchase aligns with statewide goals to preserve open space, safeguard wildlife movement, and maintain public access to natural landscapes near urban centers.

Planning for public use of the new acreage will begin in 2026, with environmental assessments guiding decisions about trail placement, habitat restoration, and visitor infrastructure. CPW has stated that any new development will prioritize minimal ecological disturbance while enhancing the park’s educational and recreational offerings.

For Colorado Springs residents, the expansion represents both a conservation milestone and an investment in the region’s outdoor identity. As the city continues to grow, Cheyenne Mountain State Park remains a vital refuge — a place where prairie meets mountain, wildlife moves freely, and the Front Range’s natural heritage is preserved for future generations.