Cheyenne Mountain State Park Management Plan
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COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE Cheyenne Mountain State Park 2013 PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN www.cpw.state.co.us - This page is intentionally left blank - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Development of the Cheyenne Mountain State Park Management Plan was made possible through the support and collaborative efforts of the Cheyenne Mountain State Park Management Planning Team, Colorado Parks & Wildlife Leadership Team, and interested members of the public. This management plan is the fourth management plan to be developed based on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Park Management Plan Template, which was approved in 2009 by the Colorado State Parks Board. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Management Planning Team Scott Babcock, Strategic Planning Manager - Parks Mitch Martin, Cheyenne Mountain State Park Manager John Geerdes, Southeast Region Manager - Parks Nancy Matchett, Trails Coordinator Shaun Gordon, Design & Construction Region Manager Jeff Thompson, Resource Stewardship Coordinator Additional research and mapping assistance provided by the following CPW Seasonal Staff: Caitlyn Horose, Megan Deffner, Sarah Lamagna, and Dan Nally. Special thanks to other CPW program staff that provided input and suggestions on draft iterations of the plan. CPW Leadership Team Rick Cables, Director Chad Bishop, Asst. Director of Wildlife Natural Resources Kurt Mill, Northwest and Southwest Region Manager - Parks Ken Brink, Asst. Director of Parks & Outdoor Recreation Dan Prenzlow, Southeast Regional Manager Steve Cassin, Chief Financial Officer Gary Thorson, Asst. Director of Information & Education Heather Dugan, Asst. Director of Law Enforcement Ron Velarde, Northwest Regional Manager Marilyn Gallegos‐Ramirez, Asst. Director of Support Jeff Ver Steeg, Asst. Director of Research, Policy & Planning Services John Geerdes, Southeast Region Manager - Parks Steve Yamashita, Northeast Regional Manager Tony Gurzik, Acting Southwest Regional Manager Consultants Special thanks to Computer Terrain Mapping, Inc. for their assistance in developing visual models of the Top of the Mountain trail and property and to BBC Research, Inc. for compiling the Cheyenne Mountain State Park Financial Assessment (Appendix J). TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 1 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 11 Park Description ...................................................................................................................... 11 Purpose of the Plan ................................................................................................................. 12 Park Goals ................................................................................................................................ 13 Relevant Planning Efforts ........................................................................................................ 14 Public Input Process ................................................................................................................ 14 Influences on Management .................................................................................................... 16 Management Considerations .................................................................................................. 17 2.0 Regional Planning Context ........................................................................................... 19 Physical Setting ....................................................................................................................... 19 Planned Development ............................................................................................................. 21 Regional Recreation and Tourism Trends, Needs, and Opportunities .................................... 23 Population Trends ................................................................................................................... 24 3.0 Existing Conditions ...................................................................................................... 25 Park Land Ownership .............................................................................................................. 25 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................... 27 Cultural and Historical Resources ........................................................................................... 46 Scenic Resources ..................................................................................................................... 51 Recreation Resources .............................................................................................................. 51 Interpretation and Environmental Education ......................................................................... 59 Facilities and Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 61 Visitation ................................................................................................................................. 65 Park Administration and Special Functions ............................................................................. 70 Park Budget and Finances ....................................................................................................... 78 Economic Value ....................................................................................................................... 85 4.0 Management Zoning ................................................................................................... 87 Methodology for Determining Management Zones ............................................................... 87 Description of Management Zones ......................................................................................... 87 Area Descriptions that Influence Park Zoning ......................................................................... 91 5.0 Park Enhancement Opportunities ................................................................................ 93 Existing Facilities & Infrastructure .......................................................................................... 94 6.0 Implementation Priorities Summary ........................................................................... 101 Implementation Considerations ........................................................................................... 101 Using the Implementation Plan ............................................................................................ 101 7.0 Conclusion .................................................................................................................109 i 2013 Cheyenne Mountain State Park Management Plan APPENDICES Appendix A Land Ownership Appendix B Public Input Summaries Appendix C Wildlife Species List Appendix D Vegetation Species List Appendix E Asset Inventory and Facility Conditions Appendix F Staff Responsibilities and Organizational Chart Appendix G Citations and Assists Appendix H Agreements and Local Ordinances Appendix I Geologic Hazard and Engineering Suitability Mapping Appendix J Financial Assessment Appendix K Photo Monitoring Appendix L Community Connection Plan (to be added) TABLES Table 1. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Mean Temperatures .................................................. 19 Table 2. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Average Precipitation Totals ..................................... 19 Table 3. Noxious weed species that occur at Cheyenne Mountain State Park .......................... 39 Table 4. Rare animal species occurring at Cheyenne Mountain State Park ............................... 41 Table 5. Rare plant species and communities near Cheyenne Mountain State Park ................ 42 Table 6. Cheyenne Mountain State Park Trails. ......................................................................... 53 Table 7. Total Campsites by Campground (2011). ...................................................................... 56 Table 8. Total Overnight Use Participation by Campsite Type (FY 2009-FY 2011). .................... 57 Table 9. Percent Campground Occupancy by Month (FY 2009-2001). ...................................... 57 Table 10. Emergency Response Protocol ................................................................................... 74 Table 11. Partnerships ................................................................................................................ 77 Table 12. Park Budget (FY 2011 - FY 2012) ................................................................................. 79 Table 13. Operating Expenditures (FY 2011). ............................................................................. 80 Table 14. Operating Expenditures (FY 2011). ............................................................................. 80 Table 15. Projected Temporary Employee Expenditures (FY 2012). .......................................... 81 Table 16. Management Zone Classification Scheme and Characteristics .................................. 88 Table 17. Priority Management Actions at Cheyenne Mountain State Park ........................... 102 ii FIGURES Figure 1. 3D Rendering of the Top of the Mountain Conceptual Trail Alignment. ...................... 6 Figure 2. Total Revenue and Reservations by Campsite Type (FY 2009-FY 2011). .................... 58 Figure