Current landowners will transfer the 30-square-mile property — including the highest point east of I-25 — to public ownership.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently announced the location of Colorado’s newest state park. At 9,633 feet tall, Fishers Peak is the highest peak in the United States east of Interstate 25. The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are all teaming up to develop the park.
In his executive order, Gov. Polis cited the “growing need for additional public lands” as the reason for creating the park. Colorado plans to offer hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails in the area. The park will also act as a wildlife corridor for native species like elk across the prairies, mesas, and mountains in the region.
“Opening this iconic area to the public not only provides a new recreational opportunity for hiking, camping, and fun, but also helps grow our economy in Southern Colorado,” Polis said in his announcement.
The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land currently own Fishers Peak. They will work with the city of Trinidad and other organizations to make the property public. Plans include building a state park visitor center and campgrounds.
Fishers Peak State Park — which will be the 42nd in Colorado — should be complete by 2021. The park will be the most recent addition since Staunton State Park was established in 2013.
