El Paso County is stepping up for Colorado’s largest volunteer water‑shed cleanup, Creek Week, with three community‑focused events this fall. Families, churches, schools and civic groups are invited to register early and lend a hand protecting local streams, trails and wildlife habitats.
Kickoff at Fountain Creek Nature Center – Saturday, Sept. 26
From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will meet at the Fountain Creek Nature Center (320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain) to clear debris from the creek bed and maintain surrounding trails. The effort helps keep water quality high for anglers, hikers and downstream users while preserving the natural beauty that draws visitors to the area.
Rainbow Falls Historic Site restoration – Sunday, Sept. 27
On Sunday, volunteers gather from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rainbow Falls Historic Site (Serpentine Drive, Manitou Springs). Participants will remove trash and pull invasive weeds that threaten native plant communities. Restoring this historic landmark supports both recreation and the ecological health of the Arkansas River watershed.
Bear Creek Nature Center crew – Saturday, Oct. 3
The final Creek Week event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bear Creek Nature Center (245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs). Volunteers will focus on trail upkeep, erosion control and habitat enhancement, ensuring the area remains safe and enjoyable for hikers, cyclists and families.
All events require advance registration. Interested participants can sign up through the links provided by the county or email Kylee Taylor at [email protected]. Early registration helps organizers plan supplies, safety gear and volunteer coordination.
Creek Week aligns with the county’s broader commitment to stewardship of natural resources, a principle rooted in the Christian ethic of caring for God’s creation and the traditional family value of teaching children respect for the environment. By involving parents and youth, the program reinforces community bonds and encourages the next generation to become good stewards of the land.
County officials note that volunteer clean‑ups complement ongoing water‑quality monitoring and habitat‑restoration projects funded by state and federal conservation programs. The collaborative effort demonstrates how local citizens, government agencies and nonprofit partners can work together to protect Colorado’s waterways for future generations.
For updates on Creek Week and other community events, residents are encouraged to download the KRDO13 app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
