Hello,

This is my contribution to Citizen's Discussion at Tuesday's City Council meeting:

Good morning,

The city has owned the first two miles of the Barr Trail for over 6 years.

It is deteriorating.

The condition of the trail is so bad that the President of Friends of the Peak has recommended that it be closed and a reroute be constructed.

Why is the city refusing to repair this trail?

The city acquired millions of dollars of grant money to repair the Manitou Incline.

The Barr Trail is a National Recreation Trail, it is much more significant than the Incline.

The Barr Trail needs drainage improvements so badly that most of the $40,000 in annual repairs is used for Band-Aids, or repairs of new damage.

Why does the city refuse to admit publicly that the Barr Trail needs a drainage study and drainage improvements that cannot be financed with $40,000 a year.

On the Summit of Pikes Peak the city refers to itself as "Proud Stewards of America's Mountain".

The city insisted on gaining ownership of this section of the Barr Trail and now the city is holding its well-being in contempt.

The city has a legal obligation to disclose the estimated cost of the needed repairs on the section of the Barr Trail that we own.

How much will it cost to have a drainage study done for this section of the Barr Trail?

How much will it cost to implement the recommended drainage improvements?

How much will it cost to repair or replace the fence along the trail?

How much will it cost to do all other needed repairs to the trail?

The city has acknowledged that it is in communication with Rocky Mountain Field Institute regarding the condition of the trail, what is their estimate of the total cost of the needed repairs.

Thank you, Carl Strow