COLORADO SPRINGS — A front loader moves boulder next to new gates at the entrance of Red Rocks Open Space in Colorado Springs. The boulders prevent curb jumpers from getting around the new gates; the gates are to help curb overnight issues happening at the park.
"The whole goal is to protect the resource,” said Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, Manager, Kurt Schroeder, “Then also to curtail inappropriate activity that was going on after hours when the parks close, when nobody ought to be there.”
Parties, trash dumping, drug dealing, and graffiti are all issues. One of the most concerning problems is finding camp style fires still burning and unattended. "Fire in any of these terrific open spaces and regional parks that we've got, would just devastate those,” said Schroeder.
A security service will clear parking lots and lock the gates every day. Red Rocks Open Space winter hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closing moves to 10:00 p.m. during the summer.
