Green Mountain Falls is an almost-hidden gem of a mountain town straddling El Paso and Teller counties 10 miles west of Manitou Springs off U.S. Highway 24. It is an incorporated statutory town, governed by its own municipal code within the town limits. (Cascade and Chipita Park are unincorporated.)
A five-person Board of Trustees governs the town; Mayor Todd Dixon sits on the board with the same voting capacity as other trustees.
Green Mountain Falls’ average population is approximately 875, with 621 year-round residents, and larger numbers in the summer.
It’s known for its quiet mountain beauty, 20 miles of hiking trails, historic buildings including the town’s gazebo, the lake, The Pantry popular for its scrumptious breakfasts and lunches, and so much more!
Mayor Dixon highlighted the following as 2023 town accomplishments:
January: New short-term rental municipal codes became effective. The town received an $80,000 grant for fire mitigation.
February: A community forum for the right-of-way fire mitigation project took place. Several House and Senate Bills were identified that impacted the town.
March: A Mayor’s Coffee and Conversation took place to address stilling basin concerns.
April: Stilling basin construction resumed. The Parks, Rec and Trails committee generated options for opening the pool. New body cameras for the Marshal’s Office staff were received and put into use.
May: Announcements were made for pool coordinator and lifeguard positions. Pool maintenance began with volunteer labor.
June: Significant rain and hailstorms severely damaged town roads. El Paso County and the town were declared a disaster. Initial Federal Emergency Management Agency meetings took place.
Ute Pass Elementary fourth and fifth graders obtained Board of Trustees approval to adopt pool and lake areas as their service projects. The fence around the lake and the old Marshal’s Office areas were repaired. A community workday took place.
The town received a generous grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, which was used to paint the gazebo, replace playground mulch and purchase a new fountain for the lake.
July: Green Box celebrated its 15th annual arts festival. Bronc Day celebrated its 85th year.
August: The town received a $135,000 Community Development Block Grant to rebuild the gazebo bridge.
September: The town updated its nuisance tree policy to include dead or dying trees. The town held a second round of chipper days.
October: Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management sponsored an emergency evacuation exercise. The town passed ordinances that allow off-highway vehicles to be operated on town roads with limits and guidelines. GMF passed an ordinance that allows alcohol in town parks. The town received a technical assistance grant to develop initial broadband plans. The town was notified of a gift from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to re-envision the pool park area.
November: Work on FEMA damage assessments continued.
December: All FEMA damage assessment projects were submitted, with GMF being the first to complete all projects. A town budget was developed and approved. No amended budget for 2024 will be necessary.
The town received a grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund of $65,000 for fire fuel mitigation.
It seems a lot takes place in this little mountain haven! Residents are excited about the pool park area being re-imagined. The area includes the fitness court, the tennis court, basketball court and the pool, right down to the lovely creek area. Watch for updates and public forums to design a new and improved recreational area!
Also in the works for 2024 are a dumpster blind site, repair of the gazebo bridge, installation of town culverts, more fire mitigation and beautification of the stilling basin.
For historical information on Ute Pass, go to utepasshistoricalsociety.org/ute-pass-history.
For more information on the town itself, go to greenmountainfalls.colorado.gov.
Send news and/or photos to judypiazza@gmail.com.
