The purpose of this petition is to request an immediate end put to all development (both residential and commercial) that as of February 11, 2022 has yet to begin construction. We are also requesting a Home Rule put in place so that the residents of Falcon are given a full voice/vote to any future development before permits are engaged by the County Commission. We are a Constitutional Republic governed "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Colorado has always been appreciated as the premier outdoor activity state with gorgeous views at every turn however more and more that is changing with rapid development threatening that way of life. Not only is the expansion threatening that way of life, but it is also endangering wildlife by pushing them farther and farther out of their natural habitats resulting in a greater chance for human interaction and increased deaths, animal and human alike.

Wildlife Impact:

• Wildlife our open spaces boast are antelope, bobcats, owls, hawks (including the American Kestrel), falcons, other various birds, toads, salamanders, elk, foxes, coyotes, hares, prairie dogs, and many more all supporting the natural ecosystem; all now endangered.
• Along Woodmen Rd (between Falcon and Colorado Springs) it was wide open on either side with beautiful views and the free range of antelope and other wildlife. Within the last 2 years housing has skyrocketed increasing the traffic on the road and pushing the antelope further into residential areas resulting in more deaths including pregnant antelope (specifically one at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020).
• Furthermore Falcon is along the monarch butterfly migration route and supports their migration with the milkweed seen throughout our open spaces. If this rapid growth continues, the milkweed will be destroyed thus greatly impacting the monarchs.
  (https://www.coloradocountrylife.coop/making-a-difference-for-monarchs/)
• "On June 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law, thus establishing the first general legal protection of cultural and natural resources in the United States." With such an act, President Roosevelt was able to protect approximately 230 million acres of public land. He saw the importance of protecting what limited resources and natural beauty we have and Falcon firmly believes we should follow in his footsteps by continuing to protect our open spaces and wildlife.
  (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/antiquities-act.htm)
  
  

Environmental Health Impact:

• Another issue that has arisen is the limited water supply Falcon endures and if the construction continues to increase at this rate, even more pressure will be placed on what little Falcon possesses. 
  (https://themaverickobserver.com/water-shortages-water-issues-in-rural-el-paso-county/)
• Rapid building disrupts Colorado's aquifers including potential contamination. It is ecologically irresponsible to allow mass development with the knowledge that Colorado is a watershed state. Better governing of our resources will allow us to recover from consistent and sufferable drought. Colorado's water mismanagement has become so stressed that even Nebraska fears we will not be able to maintain our usage agreement with them.
  (https://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/hydrology/surface-water-resources/#:~:text=Colorado%20is%20a%20headwater%20state,flow%20out%20of%20the%20state.&text=Four%20regional%20watersheds%20originate%20high,Colorado%20Watershed%20Assembly%2C%20n.d.)
  (https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/nebraska-announces-500m-plan-to-claim-water-from-colorado/)
• Colorado state signs welcome visitors to "Colorful Colorado". Colorado was given this nickname for its illustrious natural beauty with magnificent mountain views, expansive plains, and vital rivers including headwaters. We thought this important enough to proudly display it on license plates, at tourist information centers, on souvenirs, and again: on state signs. (https://archives.colorado.gov/collections/symbols-emblems)
  
  

Human Health Impact:

• Scientifically proven nature reduces stress (https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing)
• Increase in car accidents
  (https://krdo.com/news/local-news/2021/04/14/deadly-crash-closes-highway-24/ ; just one of many)
• Falcon prides itself on its community, not just for the sake of the word, but every aspect that comes with that term. We come to the aid of our neighbors when they ask, we support our small businesses beyond the call of just regular patronage. However as cities grow so does the crime rate, neighbors begin to lose trust, and all meanings of the word community is lost. If Falcon is swallowed up by Colorado Springs, if we don't put a halt to all the egregious development, this will inevitably happen in Falcon as well.
• Falcon and the surrounding areas are extremely prone to brush fires with a combination of low moisture, warm temperatures, and high winds.... the smallest ember from a cigarette could wipe out hundreds of homes. Even recently we have seen numerous fires most notably the brush fire near Great Wolf Lodge that required evacuations. We should take note of the Marshall Fire in Boulder County and see it as a cautionary tale because with this continued buildout that could very easily happen here.
  (https://gazette.com/wildfires/string-of-sunday-grass-fires-along-i-25-ruled-accidental-by-colorado-springs-fire-department/article_ae21df70-5b87-11ec-8e37-db433bade5fd.html)
  
  

What more can be done? Reach out to:

• El Paso County Commissioner: let them know we value our open space and we want a voice regarding its usage
  (https://bocc.elpasoco.com/)
• Kari Parsons, Planner III, El Paso County Planning and Community Development
  719-520-6306, kariparsons@elpasoco.com
• Governor Polis: stating the will of the residents is to protect our environment
  (https://www.colorado.gov/governor/)
• The Wilderness Society: citing the 30x30 Movement
  (https://www.wilderness.org/key-issues/land-and-water-conservation?gclid=CjwKCAiAh_GNBhAHEiwAjOh3ZKAxZX4aaS4inUTM4DbgXM-e_A9afoCin0gzjsTmXM-e_e_Na9Sp2BoCPmYQAvD_BwE)
• Trails and Open Space Coalition: ask them to support us in this matter
  (https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/?fbclid=IwAR3is6guQ_v9GWswCmXt6_Ana2mkcO1N0Dfh5M_KrPYu-5I4TfAGSObbZko)

As shown: the purpose of this petition is to request an immediate end put to all development (both residential and commercial) that as of February 11, 2022 has yet to begin construction. We are also requesting a Home Rule put in place so that the residents of Falcon are given a full voice/vote to any future development before permits are engaged by the County Commission regarding Falcon's open space and extending along the Meridian Rd (including, but not limited to Parcel ID No: 53011-01-060), Woodmen Rd, and Highway 24 corridors.

Those of us that live in Falcon love and value our environment, and all it has to offer, and we would like to see it stay this way for future generations. We are a Constitutional Republic governed "of the people, by the people, for the people."
(https://www.nps.gov/abli/learn/education/upload/UpdatedGettysburgAddress.pdf)

Please save our open spaces. Thank you.