The Fountain and Monument Creek Corridor has always been the lifeblood of Colorado Springs. The Corridor’s rich natural resources sustained Native American tribes and attracted European settlers. General Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, realized the scenic and recreational value of the area and created a network of parkways that have been a defining element of Colorado Springs’ identity. Over time, the natural character and functions of the Corridor have been altered and disconnected, the richness diminished, and the Creek itself inaccessible.

The COS Creek Plan lays out a comprehensive vision and strategy to integrate and implement recommendations of multiple planning efforts completed in the recent past to restore the Creek’s environmental qualities, to promote economic vitality, and to greatly enhance and expand the recreational opportunities that were important to General Palmer’s original vision.

The principles that guide this vision for the corridor and watershed are based on the belief that stormwater and flood risk management can be an integral part of a larger idea that maintains and restores natural functions of the creeks, provides opportunities for recreation and relaxation, and enhances the economic value and quality of life for citizens and visitors of the Pikes Peak Region.