As our organization continues to grow and serve as the Regional Partner for the Pikes Peak region, we're excited to announce our evolution from Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) to simply Pikes Peak Outdoors (PPO). Pikes Peak Outdoors has existed to connect people to outdoor experiences for years but now PPORA is merging into PPO. This evolution reflects who we are today: a collaborative Regional Partner organization dedicated to connecting and advocating for people, places, businesses, and opportunities in the outdoors.

Along with our updated name, you'll see our branding merge into PPO with a refreshed website at PikesPeakOutdoors.org, and updated visual identity centered around purple, a nod to the "purple mountain majesties" inspired by Pikes Peak. While our branding is being simplified, our commitment remains the same. We will continue working to strengthen the outdoor recreation economy, advance conservation and stewardship, and foster a thriving outdoor community throughout the Pikes Peak region.

We're proud of where we've been, excited about where we're headed, and look forward to continuing this work as Pikes Peak Outdoors.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Pikes Peak Outdoors Awards! Help us recognize the individuals and organizations making a lasting impact on outdoor recreation in our region.

Awards will be presented in six categories: Outdoor Nonprofit of the Year, Outdoor Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Career Achievement Award, Emerging Leader Award, and Exceptional Athlete Award.

Whether they're leading innovative programs, growing the outdoor economy, dedicating countless volunteer hours, inspiring others through athletic achievement, or building a legacy of service, we want to hear about the people and organizations making a difference in the Pikes Peak region's outdoor community.

Award recipients will be recognized at the Pikes Peak Outdoors Hoedown on September 13. Submit your nominations today and help us celebrate the best of our outdoor community.

Get Outdoors Day is proud to be a recipient of the Colorado Lottery's Starburst Award, which recognizes projects and programs that have made a lasting impact on Colorado communities through Lottery-funded investments. This recognition highlights the power of partnerships and the ongoing success of Get Outdoors Day in connecting people of all ages and abilities to outdoor recreation opportunities in the Pikes Peak region.

Join us on September 13 at Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City for an afternoon of live music, outdoor community, local flavor, and recognition of the people and organizations helping move outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship forward across the Pikes Peak region.

We're excited to announce that the Jason Wulf Band will be bringing the soundtrack for the evening, along with dancing, outdoor leadership awards, a silent auction, food trucks, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

As part of the region's 150/250 commemorations, we'll also be celebrating the rich heritage of Old Colorado City and the outdoor spirit that continues to define our community.

September 13 | 3:00–6:00 PM
Bancroft Park | Old Colorado City

Tickets are just $10. Grab yours today and join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the outdoors and the people who make our region special.

Another successful Pikes Peak APEX is in the books, bringing riders from across the country to experience some of the best mountain biking the Pikes Peak region has to offer. What began as a vision of Pikes Peak Outdoors has grown into one of the nation's premier mountain bike stage races, showcasing our region's world-class trails, public lands, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

A unique aspect of the APEX is its direct investment back into the places that make the race possible. Through the Pikes Peak APEX Stewardship Fund, proceeds from the event support trail construction, maintenance, restoration, and stewardship projects throughout the region. This year, racers rode many of the very trails that have been improved, maintained, or built with support from the Stewardship Fund, creating a powerful connection between recreation and conservation.

The Stewardship Fund demonstrates how outdoor recreation can be a force for good, helping ensure our trails remain sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to the riders, volunteers, sponsors, land managers, and partners who continue to make the Pikes Peak APEX a celebration of both adventure and stewardship.

Pikes Peak Outdoors was proud to participate in the 2026 Outside Festival and Industry Summit in Denver, joining outdoor industry leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and recreation advocates from across the country. The event provided valuable opportunities to connect with partners, share regional successes, explore emerging trends, and engage in conversations about the future of outdoor recreation, conservation, and the outdoor economy. We returned inspired and energized to continue advancing outdoor recreation in the Pikes Peak region.

PPO Staff pictured with Jim Petterson & Carrie Besnette Hauser from trust for Public Land

The Pikes Peak region has been officially selected for the national Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, a major designation recognizing the area’s collaborative efforts to balance military readiness, open space conservation, working lands protection, and long-term landscape resilience.

Announced by Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the Pikes Peak Sentinel Landscape brings together partners including the U.S. Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases, and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, alongside conservation and community organizations such as El Pomar Foundation and Palmer Land Conservancy. The designation strengthens access to federal and state funding and technical assistance to support wildfire resilience, watershed health, and protection of critical open space and agricultural lands across more than 2.6 million acres in the region.

At its core, the initiative builds on the Security, Open Space, and Agricultural Resilience (SOAR) partnership, led by groups including The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land, which has already helped permanently protect thousands of acres in support of both conservation and military readiness. The designation highlights the Pikes Peak region as a national model for how communities can work together to safeguard natural resources, support working lands, and strengthen national security for generations to come.

Pikes Peak Outdoors is proud to be an official breakfast station host for Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 24! This annual community event encourages people to swap four wheels for two and experience the benefits of biking for transportation, whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or simply enjoying a morning ride. Cyclists can stop by breakfast stations across the region between 6–9 a.m. for free food, community connections, and a chance to celebrate Colorado Springs' growing bike-friendly culture.

Be sure to plan your route, stop by our station, and join us in promoting healthy, sustainable transportation and outdoor recreation throughout the Pikes Peak region.

What an incredible Get Outdoors Day at Memorial Park and Prospect Lake! This year’s event saw record-breaking attendance with over 4,000 participants, making it one of the most successful celebrations to date.

Families, newcomers, and longtime outdoor enthusiasts came together to enjoy a full day of free, hands-on outdoor activities including fishing, paddling, climbing, archery, educational booths, and youth engagement opportunities. With more than 650 free fishing poles distributed and countless first-time outdoor experiences, the day truly reflected the spirit of connection to nature and community.

Get Outdoors Day is made possible through strong partnerships between Pikes Peak Outdoors, the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and many dedicated community organizations and volunteers. We are grateful to everyone who helped bring the event to life and to the thousands of attendees who showed up ready to explore, learn, and get outside.

Thank you for making this year’s event one for the record books, we can’t wait to see you next year!

Join Palmer Land Conservancy at Goat Patch Brewing for an evening of conservation, community, and conversation. Pints with Palmer brings together community members who care about protecting Colorado's lands and water while highlighting the conservation projects helping build a more resilient future for the Pikes Peak region and beyond.

Enjoy a complimentary Goat Patch brew and light bites, connect with fellow conservation-minded individuals, and learn more about the work being done to conserve the landscapes that make our region special. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP in advance.

Pikes Peak Outdoors is excited to be part of Mountain Chalet's Rock 'n' Trail SummerFest on Saturday, June 27, from 1–3 p.m. at Mountain Chalet's customer parking lot.

This free community event is the perfect way to kick off summer, featuring the latest outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear from top brands, opportunities to learn about upcoming innovations, fun games, giveaways, backpacking food taste tests, root beer floats, and live music from Spur.

Be sure to stop by the Pikes Peak Outdoors booth to connect with our team, learn about upcoming events and initiatives, and discover how we're working to strengthen outdoor recreation across the Pikes Peak region. We look forward to seeing you there for an afternoon of outdoor fun, community, and summer adventure.

Show your love for the outdoors and represent the Pikes Peak region with our brand-new Pikes Peak Outdoors hats! These limited-run hats are now available for pre-order for $28 each and feature our new logo and brand identity.

Whether you're hitting the trail, heading to a community event, or just enjoying a day outside, these hats are a great way to support the work we're doing to strengthen outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship across the region.

Pre-order yours today and be among the first to sport the new Pikes Peak Outdoors look!

By contributing to PPO, you're investing in initiatives that promote responsible recreation, inspire greater outdoor participation, and advocate for recreational opportunities and the protection of our natural resources. Your support helps fund events, programs, stewardship efforts, and advocacy campaigns that benefit residents, visitors, and the local outdoor recreation economy. Join us in making a positive impact on the outdoor industry, ensuring that the Pikes Peak region remains a premier destination for outdoor recreation for generations to come. 

Pikes Peak OutdoorS is a designated Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Organization. The Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Tax Credit encourages Colorado tax payers to make contributions to nonprofits by offering state income tax credit for qualifying contributions. Donors are eligible to receive a 25% tax credit with a minimum donation of $250 annually in addition to regular tax benefits for charitable gifts! Stretch your charitable gift and donate through the Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone today!