Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff presented a draft 10‑year management plan for Castlewood Canyon State Park, described new zoning, resource stewardship work and a 30‑day public review process that begins immediately.

Park manager Larry Butterfield and CPW planning manager Izzy Peterson walked commissioners through the plan’s purpose, the park’s 2,585 acres, current visitor numbers (roughly 200,000 annual visits), and the park’s role between Denver and Colorado Springs. Peterson said the draft plan updates a 1991 document and lays out a park purpose focused on protecting the canyon’s natural and cultural resources while providing high‑quality visitor experiences.

Staff described an updated management zoning map that separates the park into development (3% of acreage), passive recreation, natural areas and a protection zone that covers roughly three‑quarters of the park and is managed for limited access. Resource stewardship surveys documented habitat for multiple at‑risk species including northern leopard frogs and Townsend’s big‑eared bats, and staff noted seasonal closures for raptors and a negotiated arrangement with local climbing groups for route inspection and fixed hardware maintenance.

Commissioners and members of the public focused on volunteer recruitment, interpretive programming, accessibility (including a potential track‑chair program), mitigation of trespassing cattle in riparian areas, climbing route policy and stronger tribal engagement. Park staff said an updated outreach plan will include expanded school programming and cooperation with local school districts to help get young people out into the park.

The plan includes specific enhancement projects: visitor center updates, repaving parking and roadways on the east side, improved wayfinding, benches and picnic infrastructure, and a trail management plan supported by state trails funding and a local trail crew. Staff also noted cooperation with adjacent landowners: Lost Canyon (Town of Castle Rock), Douglas County Open Space, and several conservation easements in the area.

The public review period runs approximately 30 days; CPW will host a virtual meeting and an in‑person meeting in Castle Rock and has an online commenting portal on Engage CPW. Staff said comments received will be used to revise the draft before final publication and implementation.

Ending: Commissioners praised park staff for the plan and asked staff to increase tribal outreach, encourage additional volunteer engagement and return when the plan is finalized. CPW said it will finalize the plan after public input and bring it back for final signature.