Governor Jared Polis joined Colorado Parks and Wildlife, local leaders and Colorado Springs Utilities Friday, to break ground on a new outdoor recreation area at Rosemont Reservoir in Teller County. With construction underway, visitors will be able to camp, paddle and picnic there as early as 2027.

The new area will have 35 primitive campsites and five tent campsites. It will also have a boat ramp, vault toilets, a day-use area, a pavilion and a scenic overlook.

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"We are making the Pikes Peak area an even better and more fun area to recreate. Coloradans will soon have a brand new place to camp, fish and paddle in the shadow of Pikes Peak, and the watershed and wildlife we value will be protected for years to come. This is what coordination across local, state and federal partners delivers. I am grateful to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Springs Utilities and every land-management organization that made it happen," said Governor Polis.

The project is a partnership between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado Springs Utilities. It adds room for carefully managed recreation. It also protects natural resources, the watershed and reservoir infrastructure.

"We know Coloradans love spending time in the outdoors, which we have seen in the skyrocketing demand for campsites in recent years. This groundbreaking will help Colorado families have a place to pitch a tent, roast a s'mores, and fish in Rosemont Reservoir for years to come along the flanks of America's mountain - Pikes Peak," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "I applaud the collaborative approach from a wide range of community groups, land management agencies and decision makers working to enhance recreation opportunities on Pikes Peak and who helped to make this improved recreational asset a reality."

"Today's groundbreaking is an important milestone," said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan. "We look forward to working with our partners to provide more opportunities to enjoy this remarkable mountain setting and expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the Pikes Peak region."

Rosemont Reservoir sits on the south side of Pikes Peak. For decades, anglers have come to fish at its state wildlife area. The water holds Brook, Brown, Cutbow, Cutthroat and Rainbow trout, as well as Splake and Kokanee salmon.

Pikes Peak is a popular place to play outdoors for people in the Colorado Springs region. It also draws visitors from across the state, the country and around the world. The new area will give them more ways to enjoy the mountain, including camping, fishing, paddling or a quiet picnic by the water.

In 2020, Governor Polis took executive action to foster the Regional Partnerships Initiative. The program encourages groups to work together so Colorado's land, water and wildlife thrive. It also aims to give everyone fair access to quality outdoor recreation. In 2025, Governor Polis launched Colorado's Outdoors Strategy. It is a statewide plan to help Colorado's outdoors, people, community character and ways of life last for generations to come.