A proposal to extend Constitution Avenue through Monument Valley Park and connect it to Interstate 25 has reappeared in a draft planning document, alarming neighbors and raising questions about whether city leadership's prior directives are being followed.
The Fountain Creek Watershed Vision and Implementation Plan was prepared by Pikes Peak Waterways and the city of Colorado Springs and covers the entire Fountain Creek watershed, including Monument Creek and Monument Valley Park. The plan involves restoring Monument Creek to a more natural setting, with beaches, various forms of boating, and maximized use of existing creek features such as America the Beautiful Park.
The latest version of the plan, however, includes maps showing Constitution Avenue being extended along the old Rock Island railroad right of way across Monument Valley Park and connecting to the highway interchange at West Fontanero Street and I-25. The proposed extension would run four lanes wide from Paseo Road along the old Rock Island railroad tracks through Monument Valley Park.
Plans to extend Constitution Avenue straight to Interstate 25 have been proposed several times before in Colorado Springs history, and in each previous case, City Council firmly rejected the extension. Council instead called for turning the old railroad right of way into a landscaped walking trail and not invading Monument Valley Park with a heavily trafficked four-lane street.
In late 2024, neighborhood representatives first discovered that an earlier version of the plan revived the Constitution Avenue extension, met with plan officials, and were told the map was "in error" because City Council had approved an explicit requirement that Constitution Avenue extension studies be removed from the plan. Officials stated at that time that the railroad right of way should only be considered for use as an urban greenway, continuing its role in the Legacy Loop System — a plan to build a bicycle trail completely around the city.
The Old North End National Register Historic District borders the south side of the scenic old railroad right of way, which currently functions as a biker-hiker trail. City Council has also directed that actions be taken to encourage that the old Rock Island railroad right of way become a permanent part of the park system.
Despite those prior directives, the latest draft of the plan clearly shows the extension of Constitution Avenue and a vehicular bridge crossing Monument Creek in Monument Valley Park, along with a picture of the proposed interchange at West Fontanero Street and I-25.
The new draft of the plan is expected to go before City Council for approval sometime soon, possibly as early as September. Whether Council will again reject the extension or allow it to advance as part of the broader watershed plan remains to be seen.