The Fountain Creek Watershed District’s 11th Annual Creek Week Cleanup was a resounding success! Thanks to the dedication of volunteers across the region, our watershed is cleaner, healthier and safer. Over the nine-day cleanup from September 28 to October 6, 2024, an impressive 1,750 volunteers from eight communities came together, removing more than twenty tons (or 40,000 pounds) of trash from trails, parks and waterways. Together, they filled over 3,000 bags with litter, clearing out common pollutants like cigarette butts, food wrappers, alcohol cans, fishing lines, and pet waste – all of which negatively impact our waterways.
Since its founding by the Fountain Creek Watershed District (FCWD) in 2014, Creek Week has become the largest cleanup effort in Colorado, setting a high bar for environmental stewardship. Over the past decade, more than 20,000 volunteers, affectionately known as “Water Warriors,” have worked to remove 150,000 tons of trash from our local environment. This effort doesn’t just beautify our landscapes; it prevents trash from clogging storm drains, harming wildlife, and degrading water quality.
A special highlight this year was the participation of Manitou Springs Elementary School, which celebrated its 10th year of involvement. The students worked diligently, collecting over 120 pounds of trash in just five hours, and enjoyed environmental education sessions from the Fountain Creek Watershed District, the City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Division and Colorado Springs Utilities. The hands-on experience allowed young people to see firsthand the importance of protecting our natural resources.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of local sponsors, businesses, organizations, and government agencies that contribute time, funding and resources. This partnership-driven approach is essential to our mission. Together, we’re protecting water quality, creating meaningful volunteer opportunities, and building a community that values environmental health.
The work doesn’t end with Creek Week
While Creek Week is a powerful annual initiative, the work of the Fountain Creek Watershed District goes far beyond this event. To truly protect our watershed, we need consistent, year-round action. Here are some ways you can join us in keeping our region clean and vibrant:
- Follow “leave no trace” principles.
- Bring a bag to collect trash when you’re out on trails or in parks.
- Clear storm drains of debris to prevent flooding.
- Scoop pet waste to keep harmful bacteria out of our waterways.
- Secure your trash and recycling bins to prevent windblown litter.
- Report illegal dumping to local authorities.
- Join our Citizen Advisory Group to get involved with policy and project discussions.
- Purchase a rain barrel at our spring sale to conserve water.
- Participate in the Great American Cleanup this spring-stay tuned for details!
- Join our monthly e-newsletter distribution list; email fcwdaa@gmai.com.
A critical resource for Southern Colorado
The Fountain Creek Watershed District was established by the Colorado State Legislature in 2009 to protect and manage the Fountain Creek Watershed. Spanning 927 square miles, the watershed begins at the Palmer Divide, flows through communities along the Front Range, and joins the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This critical waterway, once described by former U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as “a crown jewel of our region,” serves as a vital resource for both El Paso and Pueblo counties and supports over fifty tributaries before eventually flowing to the Gulf of Mexico.
The district was initially funded by a $50 million grant from Colorado Springs Utilities and has used these resources to create lasting positive impacts. Through a combination of capital projects, habitat restoration, and community outreach, we’ve improved thousands of feet of the creek’s banks, restored native riparian habitats, and enhanced recreational opportunities. Our projects not only strengthen the ecological resilience of our region but also preserve its natural beauty and create safe spaces for wildlife.
Building regional collaboration
The Fountain Creek Watershed District has fostered an unparalleled partnership between El Paso and Pueblo Counties, a collaboration that has strengthened environmental stewardship throughout the region. By aligning local governments, businesses, and citizens, we have amplified our impact and created a model of shared responsibility that’s critical for maintaining our region’s largest shared resource.
The health of the Fountain Creek Watershed is vital to southern Colorado, affecting everything from local wildlife to public recreation, agriculture, and drinking water quality. Through our programs, the district provides opportunities for residents to not only contribute to conservation efforts but also to understand the history and future of this invaluable watershed.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Creek Week 2024, from our dedicated volunteers to our generous sponsors and community partners. Together, we’re safeguarding a healthier, more resilient environment for future generations.
For more information on the Fountain Creek Watershed District’s programs and how you can get involved, Fountain-crk.org.
