Colorado Parks for People Program

The Colorado Parks for People program connects communities, implements climate-conscious park development, and creates multiuse recreation (trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, etc.) for the benefit of all Colorado communities.

Despite its reputation as an epic outdoor destination featuring majestic mountains and spectacular scenery, Colorado lags in adequate parks per resident. Close-to-home trails and parks remain elusive for many city dwellers. In Denver, Trust for Public Land works with communities and partner organizations to reverse a slipping ratio of parks per resident, and to improve the city’s park system, which is well below average for its size. One million Colorado residents lack access to a close-to-home park. Thousands more don’t have access to a good park.

Trust for Public Land provides communities with quality parks that serve their needs while reflecting their heritage. We engage with community members on a deep level to develop master plans featuring parks, playgrounds, and open spaces that achieve their needs and help them thrive. We also hire resident experts as part of our Community Outreach with Resident Experts (CORE) fellowship program, which facilitates even more thorough, long-term community engagement (scroll down to read more).

We envision a future where every community has safe, equitable access to a high-quality park within a 10-minute walk of home. In Colorado, our Parks for People program works hand-in-hand with communities to bring this access to the people who need it most.