Blodgett open space
Coming
fall of 2025
In the spring of 2025, work will begin on the much anticipated Blodgett Open Space Master plan. The future of this open space will include 3 bike-only directional trails totaling 2.7 miles of directional descent.
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Blodgett Open Space is situated in the very northwest quadrant of the city. Overall the open space is long (north and south) and skinny (east to west). If you split the open space into a northern section and southern section, the “Blodgett Bike Hill” will be located in the southern half of the open space while the northern half will be focused on hiking-only and multi-use trails.
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The first 2 miles of Fenceline exists on national forest land which falls outside the management authority of the City of Colorado Springs. COSMBA advocated strongly to maintain Fenceline as much as possible. The agreement reached was to keep upper Fenceline intact and then re-route the section on city property into alignment with the rest of the future trails of Blodgett Bike Hill. We also asked that the future re-route of Fenceline be feature rich and flowy in a similar fashion to current Fenceline after the lean left turn. The benefit here is that Fenceline will connect riders to the upcoming Chamberlain Trail as a way to connect to Ute Valley Park, or to the Blodgett Bike Hill trails.
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A great feature of this system will be the wide variety of terrain that can be experienced by riders. The climb in this system will only be around 450 feet from the trailhead to the trail hub. From here, riders can choose two a blue flow trail, or a black flow trail. And if riders choose the black flow trail, they will have the option of a double black technical spur approximately 1/3 of a mile into the trail. This means that groups of riders can choose different trails and trust that they will end up in the same place for another lap if they choose.
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The Blodgett Bike Hill is one of the top priorities of the work to be done in 2025. So far there have been a few delays in construction which have pushed back key checkpoints, however, with some luck, we think the entire Blodgett Bike Hill will be ready by late fall of 2025. COSMBA will work with the trailbuilder, Timberline Trailcraft to design, consult, and hand-finish many of the features of the black flow trail. Our aim is to provide unique and cutting edge features to maximize the fun on this unique piece of property.
The entire Blodgett Master Plan will be completed by summer of 2026.
Why is COSMBA involved?
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Provide ideas, concepts, and expertise on including new and exciting trail features
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Greater public involvement leads to increase ownership, care, and enjoyment.
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Volunteer trailwork ensures we get great trails which maximize the terrain and features.
Trail build Blog
Build Update - May 16, 2025
The project is battling quite a few setbacks. Construction hasn’t started yet, however it should begin any day now. The city continues to tell us that the Bike only trails are a top priority, however, it’s looking more likely that we won’t be able to get a first ride on these trails until the end of 2025. Although we don’t have control over the timeline, we are grateful that the bike trails are a top priority for the city and trailbuilder
Build Update - June 2, 2025
Work has progressed to the “Lean Left” spur off Fenceline. Soon Trailcraft crews will also cross Fenceline with a new regional trail that wll stretch from south Blodgett all the way to the northern edge of the open space. Eventually, this new trail called Chamberlain will stretch 16 miles from Cheyenne Mountain State Park to Blodgett Open Space in the northwest corner of Colorado Springs and El Paso County.
Build Update - June 3, 2025
Chamberlain makes its way across Fenceline.
video credit: Gregg Koch
Get involved!
Our mission is a grassroots one. We rely on passionate riders who understand that they only way we will get the trails we want is if we put the work in ourselves. This means trailwork, advocacy, and financial giving. Giving to this effort allows us to maximize the potential of the space by having the capacity to coordinate dig days and build relationships with the trailbuilders and the city. Your gifts are turned into a direct legacy of the trails we end up with and ride for generations to come.
