END OF RAINBOW EDGES NEARER FOR FALLS NEAR MANITOU SPRINGS

Thanks to efforts by Commissioner Sallie Clark, the Manitou Environmental Citizens' Action (MECA), El Paso County Parks, citizens and volunteers gathered on Saturday, April 21st to bring Rainbow Falls back to its original splendor, encouraing more families and citizens to enjoy this historic and beautiful area. Coincidentally, the clean up took place on Earth Day.

Clean up activities included painting over destructive graffiti on the bridge and picking up trash along the trails, roadway and in the water fed by Fountain Creek. Over the last seven years, El Paso County, MECA and many other organizations have been making strides in improving the area, which until recently, had been under private ownership. Thanks to persistent efforts and the transfer of ownership to the County, picnic tables and trash cans have been installed, graffiti has been sandblasted from the rocks, the parking lot has been increased and trails have been built, including the restoration of the overlook trail with railings. One of the projects included that of Boy Scout Martin Rendleman, for his successful Eagle Scout project to build a trail access and picnic area near the entrance to the park area.

Rainbow Falls, located just west of Manitou Springs off of Serpentine drive is on the old Ute Pass Stagecoach route and is a historically significant recreation destination. After years of neglect and abuse by vandals, the property was deeded to El Paso County for a $10 transfer fee. Families are now using the area in the park and picnic area and law enforcement has come together to assist in changing the culture of destructive graffiti on the natural outcroppings and the waterway.

L'Aura Montgomery Williams, the founder of MECA, said, "Through increased family recreation and utilitization as well as citizen and sheriff/police patrols, Rainbow Falls is no longer a haven for graffiti vandals. We are sending a message that the Falls is now a park to be enjoyed, not  a place to be destroyed."

Financial contributions can be made through the MECA website: www.MECAcolorado.org

COMMISSIONER SALLIE CLARK'S - EYE ON COUNTY GOVERNMENT

District 3 County Update from Commissioner Sallie Clark

Looking back on 2011, this has been a busy year for the Board of County Commissioners and I’m pleased to provide an update for District 3.

Commissioner Dennis Hisey recieved
an award from the Chamber at the annual
State of the Region Address.

STRATEGIC MOVES, CONSOLIDATION OF BUILDINGS, RE-PURPOSING AND STATE OF THE REGION: As part of our consolidation plan, the Citizen Service Center on Garden of the Gods Rd., opened in 2011. This “one-stop shop” combined the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, Department of Human Services and Public Health Department. The Commissioners recently relocated to Centennial Hall at 200 S. Cascade, Suite 100.  Now, the former County Office Building will be remodeled to house the Sheriff’s Office and Training Facility. Following the relocation of the Sheriff’s Training Facility off of E. Las Vegas to downtown, that facility will be remodeled to house an expanded Coroner’s Office.  All this is being accomplished within existing County revenues and without ANY tax increase. County Commissioner meetings are still being held at Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs until the renovation of the old boardroom at Centennial is completed sometime this Spring.  Visit www.elpasoco.com for agendas and information. All Commissioner meetings are held each Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m.  More information can be obtained by viewing the State of Region report by our Board of County Commissioners' Chair, Amy Lathen.

The historic Rainbow Falls is getting
a face lift through its master plan and
clean-up efforts.

RAINBOW FALLS: Known for many years as “graffiti falls”, the area is now owned by El Paso County. This long-time neglected area has benefitted by regular clean-up efforts from Manitou Environmental Citizens Action (MECA), the Youth Corps and Boy Scout volunteers and a new trail and picnic area was built as part of an Eagle Scout project. The area’s master plan will come together this year to discourage graffiti and improve the trails, reduce erosion and restore this once beautiful historic area.

I25/CIMARRON INTERCHANGE: In 2011, the Colorado Department of Transportation allocated funds through Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments to purchase remaining right-of-way for Interchange improvements. Now considered one of the highest regional priority projects, the stage has been set to phase-in improvements when funding becomes available. The initial phase will focus on the north to south exit, heading west onto Highway 24. This is an important gateway to downtown and the Westside and will improve safety and congestion issues.

WESTSIDE GATEWAY/NO MAN’S LAND: This area on the far Westside has now taken the forefront with a $300,000 State planning grant, which will commence early this year and is scheduled to be considered by the Board of Commissioners on January 31st so the RFP can be released. El Paso County is the lead agency for a public master planning process to identify specific funding needs. Councilwoman Lisa Czelatdko and I will continue to champion needed improvements. This multi-jurisdictional project is also expected to be included on the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority’s list, likely to be referred to voters in November of 2012.

U.S. HONOR FLAG: During El Paso County's Sesquicentennial, we welcomed the U.S. Honor Flag. This flag has had the distinction of being flown at Ground Zero and the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan and was part of the last mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavor. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office combined with partnerships from Colorado Springs Police and Fire Departments and public safety workers from throughout the state participated. School District 11 supplied student artwork "What the Flag means to me" at the Colorado Springs Airport during its 2-day visit.

BEAR CREEK PARK: Potential conservation easements are being evaluated for long-term protection of designated areas in Bear Creek Park. An extensive public process and private fund-raising will be needed to secure future protection easements. In addition, ongoing improvements to the award-winning Dog Park necessary wildfire mitigation will continue.  Recognizing the importance of regional connectivity, this park’s sustainability is and should be a priority.

The groundbreaking of the new
Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Range Complex
will mark a partnership between Fort Carson,
El Paso County and the Sheriff's Office,
scheduled to open this Spring.

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN SHOOTING RANGE COMPLEX: The groundbreaking for the new Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Range Complex took place in December 2011 and is set to open sometime this Spring. The Complex will offer not only necessary training for our men and women in uniform as a collaboration between Fort Carson and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, but also allow use by the general public to hone their firearms' skills. This partnership is being funded through the Department of Defense and in-kind services on behalf of El Paso County as well as a non-profit 'The Soldiers' Friend" being established to help with the ongoing range expansion.

Contact information: sallieclark@elpasoco.com 520-6413  www.elpasoco.com

The El Paso County GOP Central
Committee Meeting at Sand Creek High School.

and...from the political perspective, my husband, Welling Clark, and I attended the Republican Central Committee at Sand Creek High School on Saturday, January 21st.  Commissioner District 3 leadership includes Westsider and local small business owner (Paradise Sales) Paul Paradis (Chair), Rockrimmon resident and neighborhood guru Jan Doran (Vice Chair) and longtime GOP supporter Jamie Thomas (Secretary). The Colorado caucuses take place on Tuesday, February 7th at 7 p.m.  Due to reapportionment and precinct changes, you can locate your caucus location by visiting the State GOP website at: http://www.caucus.cologop.org with an easy locator by putting in your address and information.  Enjoy some photos from the event!

Sallie Clark's official announcement
for Commissioner District 3 run
January 9, 2012.

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Following my re-election to serve as Vice Chair of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, I also officially announced my candidacy to seek the District 3 in 2012 on January 9th at the Pikes Peak Center, downtown. Approximately 150 people attended the event and the outpouring of support was very much appreciated.  Official endorsements were made by El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May, State Representative Bob Gardner, former Commissioner Jim Bensberg, former County Treasurer Sandra Damron and a host of elected officials and individuals.


If you missed attending my official announcement and would like to see the complete video of the entire event, click on the video below. For additional information on the campaign, to donate or volunteer, visit www.ElectClark.com 

BOY SCOUT AND VOLUNTEERS BLAZE NEW TRAIL FOR PICNICS-RECREATION AT SCENIC RAINBOW FALLS IN EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO

Over 35 people gathered on Saturday, October 1, 2011, to build a trail and picnic pad at Rainbow Falls, just west of Manitou Springs. This project is part of many improvements underway at this new El Paso County, Colorado, park and the trail.

Martin Rendleman, 15, led the effort this day as part of his requirement to earn the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America. Rendleman worked closely with the El Paso County Parks Department, the Manitou Environmental Citizens Action (MECA) Board, the Rainbow Falls Coordinating Committee and Commissioner Sallie Clark to develop the plan for the trail and picnic pad. He then raised over $1,000 in cash and $2,000 of in-kind donations and borrowed equipment to use for the project. C & C Sand, Bestway Disposal and TurfMasters provided discounts or donated items to assist with the Eagle Scout project. The County Parks Department staff is also credited with a tremendous effort in rough cutting the trail and preparing the site for the small army of volunteers who arrived to help on a sunny afternoon.

Members of Boy Scout Troops 268 and 366, the Air Force Academy Jr. ROTC, Colorado Springs Downtown Rotary and many friends came together on Saturday to dig, move rocks, and pound in rebar to build the approximately 80 ft. trail and level the area for the picnic pad. They also assembled and installed a picnic table that was provided by a grant to the County Parks Department.

The Rainbow Falls recreation area has been well known since before the turn of the century when visitors would gather and picnic at the base of the falls on their way up the original Ute Pass road to the west. The area was privately held until recently when it was donated to El Paso County, thanks to many years of persistence from El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark, the MECA board and its founder L'aura Montgomery. Since then, there have been many improvements to the park, including new trails, picnic tables and an expanded parking lot. While Rainbow Falls used to be known as Graffiti Falls, there has been a major effort to restore not only its original name, but to clean up the falls by discouraging graffiti tagging on the rock outcroppings and natural features. The ongoing efforts to restore the falls to their original beauty includes a comprehensive master plan involving community policing and enforcement as well as additional trails, stormwater and erosion improvements.

Many of those who came to help on Saturday had never seen the Falls before and were struck by the beauty and potential of the park. They also enjoyed getting their feet wet by wading in the stream. Most said they planned to come back and enjoy the park, now that they know it's here to enjoy. To see more about the project, there is a short YouTube video at http://youtu.be/DrICccsw5xk . For more information about Rainbow Falls or how you can help improve and preserve this special park, go to the MECA website at www.mecacolorado.org To reach Rainbow Falls, take Highway 24 west to the stoplight at the Cave of Winds exit, turning south onto Serpentine. At the curve, you will see the parking area.