Advocacy is at the heart of what we do
Advocacy is essential to getting trails built, preserving open space,
and getting adequate parks funding.
Our work includes helping craft the future for our public spaces, with our partners in government, other nonprofits and community groups, and our members and partners. Our goal is to envision what can be, and work to make the vision a reality.
We joke about how “We go to all the boring meetings so you don’t have to,” but in fact TOSC is at every public meeting where policy, funding or planning for parks, trails and open spaces is discussed or decided—be it City Council, County Commission, Parks Advisory Boards, Master Plan work sessions, TOPS Working Committee, Trails Team, Colorado Springs Utilities, etc.—and is a respected voice for our public spaces. We weigh in on the issues, and report back to the public regularly.
We encourage you to connect with us at the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
We work to create a social and political climate in which local decisions to fund open space, parks and trails are approved and supported. We encourage organizations, businesses and individuals to get involved in the process. Government bodies do listen to their constituents. We help get the word out to the public about what the issues are, what decisions are being made, when public comment is requested, and how to make your voice heard. We listen to all our user groups—hikers, bikers, runners, equestrians—and work to get their concerns addressed.
Recent Advocacy News

News Wednesday December 7, 2022
Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District new Executive Director We at TOSC would like to congratulate Allison Plute Schuch for being selected as

News Wednesday November 30, 2022
Fox Run Nature Center – Turning a Goal into Reality In the 2013 Parks Master Plan a new nature center for northern El Paso County

News Wednesday November 23, 2022
We Will Not Let Hate Define Our Community The Trails and Open Space Coalition joins others in condemning the violence that took place Saturday

News Wednesday November 16, 2022
Colorado Counties & Towns Support Their Open Space Douglas County, Routt County and the Town of Windsor ALL APPROVED BALLOT ISSUES LAST WEEK THAT WILL CONSERVE

News Wednesday November 9, 2022
New GOG Sign Unveiled Changes to the park to improve safety for residents and visitors include a new Garden of the Gods Park sign. As

News Wednesday November 2, 2022
New Trail to Check Out A local developer is donating 352 acres on four parcels near Kettle Creek that will one day offer trail opportunities

News Wednesday October 26, 2022
New Trail to Check Out Recently, the new Pulpit Rock Summit Trail in Austin Bluffs Open Space, ancestral land of the Cheyenne, Ute and Lipan Apache,

El Paso County Commissioner Candidates 2022
Who is running in Your District? Two seats up for grabs on Board of El Paso County Commissioners this November. District 3: Holly Williams

News Wednesday October 19, 2022
More City Park Rangers in 2023 The city’s budget process is long and complex. Sometimes there are welcome surprises. Recently the parks department was asked