El Paso County officials have announced a second open house where visitors can learn about concepts and provide feedback on the future management of the Paint Mines Interpretive Park.
The meeting is scheduled for September 19 at 6 p.m. in the Swink Hall at the county fairgrounds in Calhan – near the colorful rock area that has become a major concern in recent years due to the increased influx of visitors.
An estimated 71,000 people visited the Paint Mines in 2023. The county responsible for managing the park intends to create a master plan to “find a harmonious balance between providing public access and protecting the fragile geological features within the park.”
At its last open house earlier this summer, Denver-based contractor DHM Design showed visualizations of chain-link barriers, picket fences, boardwalks and stone steps, all designed to “guide people where they belong and where they don’t,” according to a company official.
Although presented as tried-and-true concepts in national parks, some observers have expressed doubts that the low barriers will deter dangerous climbers and Instagrammers. At a county parks board meeting in July, some called for more security and oversight.
According to Todd Marts, the county parks director, teaching staff were on duty during “peak times.”
“Enforcement is helpful, but it’s even more helpful when there are interpreters,” he said. “Someone has to be there to talk to people about the importance of the dye mines.”
Although damage and vandalism have been reported in recent years, Marts called the assumption that “people climb the formations” a “misconception.”
“That’s not always true,” he said. “When you go through that, sometimes you just work your way up. … A barrier and things like that help with these people.”
The county has also been questioned about its funding and capacity to properly manage the dye mines. Management pointed to the docents as well as fencing, trail closures and replanting in the park. “We’ve done quite a bit of work there,” Marts said at the last park board meeting.
Using visitor analysis, data collection and public input, the master plan aims to “find out what is really needed there, rather than just cobbling things together,” Marts said.
The proposed concepts also included a paved, expanded parking lot and a “large interpretive area” with a visitor center.
Concepts will be published together with a survey on a project website: tinyurl.com/3w65smth
