Thank you for taking this short (approximately 5 minute) survey. As part of a community conversation, your responses will help us better understand public opinion on how Goldfield Drive and the open space area surrounding it are currently being used, what is valued, what should be preserved and enhanced, and what modifications will best address the changing needs of the community.

The survey will be open between now and February 28, 2026. All input will be used to finalize the Goldfield Corridor Concept Plan. Responses will be anonymous.

Additionally, an in-person and a virtual public open house will take place in early December 2025. Sign up to participate at: https://www.goldfieldcorridorplan.com
Overview

The Goldfield Corridor is in southeast El Paso County near South Powers and Fontaine boulevards. Principal features are the 646-acre Bluestem Prairie Open Space and the Big Johnson Reservoir 286-acre area. A concept plan represents a conversation about using Goldfield Drive to connect the Bluestem Prairie Open Space to a larger trail network in Colorado Springs and El Paso County and to build a loop around the reservoir.

Complaints about safety along Goldfield Drive and ongoing illegal dumping opened the door for a conversation about the potential of converting the road into a recreational trail, thereby improving safety and adding to the recreational value of the area.

Due to the expansive open space, the area is ideal for hiking, biking, waterfowl and birdwatching, educational nature walks, wildlife spotting, photography, dark sky viewing, youth biking, and educational events. Foot traffic suggests a demand for a larger trail system consistent with previous Fountain Mutual Metro District (FMMD) master plans which have identified a potential trail connection linking parks, open spaces and communities.

A Goldfield Trail can provide a non-motorized connection to communities and open spaces on the northern and southern ends to existing trail systems creating a more connected open space with trail access and trailhead parking.

Please answer the following questions:

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* In what zip code do you reside?

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* How often do you visit the Bluestem Prairie Open Space?

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* Why do you visit the open space?

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* If you drive Goldfield Drive, how often?

Goldfield Corridor Concept Plan

The Fountain Mutual Metro District, in partnership with numerous local stakeholder organizations*, is exploring the pros and cons of converting a section of Goldfield Drive (between the back entrance of Fountain Valley School and just north of the Sun Ridge neighborhood and Fontaine Boulevard) into a recreational trail. The goal is to enhance public safety and consider re-purposing the road into a trail that connects to other existing trails in the area.

*Local stakeholders: El Paso County, Colorado Springs Utilities, City of Colorado Springs Parks, Fountain Mutual Metro District, Palmer Land Conservancy, Trails and Open Space Coalition, Fountain Valley School, Fountain Mutual Irrigation Company, emergency responders, and others.

- Converting Goldfield to a trail could strengthen conservation goals. Vehicle traffic would no longer be cutting through the area, reducing unauthorized dumping and illegal activities.

 - A trail would eliminate the need for guardrail repairs to the bridge and would be less costly to maintain than the road.

 - Utility maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles currently use Goldfield Drive and would be able to continue to do so if the road were converted to a trail. Emergency responders have estimated that median response times could increase up to five minutes, depending on conditions.

Please answer the following questions:

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* How concerned are you with the current lack of nonmotorized access to the open space and trail connections surrounding Goldfield Drive?

Not at all concerned Moderately concerned Very concerned
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* How important to you is removing vehicle traffic along Goldfield to create more open space access and trail connectivity?

Not at all Important Moderately Important Extremely Important
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* How important to you is it to continue to enable vehicular traffic along Goldfield Drive?

Not at all Important Moderately Important Extremely Important
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* Do you feel it would be a good idea to convert Goldfield Drive to a trail, thereby providing more opportunities for open space access and trail connections, but less vehicular access along Goldfield Drive?

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* If supportive of converting Goldfield Drive to a trail, what are your top two reasons. (select no more than two).

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* If NOT supportive of converting Goldfield Drive to a trail, what are your top two reasons. (select no more than two).

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* If Goldfield Drive were converted to a recreation trail, might you visit the area more often for nature/recreational/ecological education purposes?

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* If Goldfield Drive were converted to a recreational trail, how would that impact your ability to commute through the neighborhood by vehicle?

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* What alternate route would you take instead if Goldfield Drive were converted to a recreation trail?

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* Knowing that a conversion of Goldfield Drive to a trail might affect your driving habits, but that doing so would open access to more open space and connections to other regional trails, would you support this change?

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* What else would you like us to know about the Goldfield Corridor Concept Plan?

Your responses will remain anonymous. If you would like to receive project updates such as newsletters, community open house invitations, and other project communications, please provide your contact information below.

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* Name

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* Phone

Thank you for taking our survey!

To learn more about the Goldfield Corridor Plan, visit:

https://www.goldfieldcorridorplan.com
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