TRINIDAD — Gov. Jared Polis traveled to Trinidad Friday to officially open Fishers Peak, Colorado's 42nd state park.
Back in May, Colorado Parks and Wildlife completed the purchase of the 19,200-acre ranch that includes the towering landmark known as Fishers Peak.
A Senate Bill supporting the development of a new state park at Fishers Peak near Trinidad passed in June with a much smaller price tag than originally intended.
WATCH BELOW:
Three trails are open for now at Fishers Peak State Park.
"I really think that Fishers Peak is going to be a big part to southern Colorado’s economic success. I mean it’s enjoyment for people who live in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, folks are going to come here from New Mexico and frankly all across the country because this is one of our largest and most majestic state parks," Polis said during the event.
SB20-003 originally called for $10 million to support the creation of the park and other projects, with $4 million going to Fishers Peak. Due to budget concerns related to COVID-19, the total amount dwindled to $6 million with $1 million allocated for Fishers Peak. The funding is coming from cuts to the governor's information technology program.
Polis signed an executive order for the creation of the state's 42nd park in late 2019. The state is working with the City of Trinidad, The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Great Outdoors Colorado, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to utilize the nearly 20,000 acres and Fishers Peak which towers over the area at 9,600 feet in elevation.
The land is home to the landscape Coloradans would expect to enjoy, from grassy meadows, mountains of evergreen trees as well as the perfect habitat for elk, deer, bear, mountain lions and many birds.
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