30 Years of Stewardship: Honoring the Legacy of the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

by Christina Haywood, Garden of the Gods Foundation Executive Director

This year, we mark a powerful milestone, 30 years of stewardship, education, and preservation at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Since its opening in 1995, the Visitor Center has welcomed people from every corner of the globe, drawing them into one of the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes in our country. It serves as both a gateway to one of the most iconic landscapes in the country and a vital force for protecting it.

From day one, the mission has been clear: to create a meaningful, educational experience for visitors while preserving the Park’s extraordinary beauty for future generations.

What makes this place truly special is its unique public-private partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. This wasn’t just about building a beautiful facility, it was about building a bridge between business and community, between economic sustainability and environmental stewardship. Every dollar generated through the Visitor Center goes back into preserving the Garden of the Gods Park, a model that shows what’s possible when purpose leads the way.

Standing behind this mission is the Garden of the Gods Foundation, established in 1994 with a singular focus: to care for this land, not just for today, but for tomorrow. The Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, owns and operates the Visitor Center. It has been the quiet force behind the scenes, stewarding resources and directing them toward projects that preserve, restore, and uplift the Park we all love.

Over the past 30 years, the Foundation has contributed more than $7.5 million to the Park’s preservation. That funding has helped to:

• Improve and expand trails and infrastructure, including accessibility upgrades so that everyone, regardless of ability, can feel welcome here.

• Restore native landscapes and protect the delicate ecosystem.

• Support educational programs and interpretive signage that connect people to the land and its history.

• Build restrooms, expand parking, and complete vital projects like the waterline and fire safety systems that protect both people and nature.

Today, the Visitor Center sees more than 1.2 million visitors each year. But it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the impact. Each visit is an opportunity to spark wonder, to teach and connect. Whether it’s through interactive exhibits, educational programming, or simply taking in

the view, the Visitor Center provides experiences that shape how people see our natural world and their place in it.

Every one of those experiences is made possible by a deep and enduring commitment to something bigger than all of us.

As we celebrate this 30th anniversary, we don’t just look back with pride, we look forward with purpose. The challenges of increased visitation and ensuring that this land that we love doesn’t get loved to death are real, but so is the strength of our community. Thanks to the Foundation’s continued leadership and the support of generous donors, volunteers, and partners, we are more ready than ever to meet the moment.

The Garden of the Gods is more than just a park. It’s a source of pride and wonder. It’s a place where geology, history, and culture meet. With continued care, it will remain a gift to our children and grandchildren—and their grandchildren, too!

So, here’s to 30 years of vision, stewardship, and love for the land.

And here’s to the next 30!