Pikeview Quarry in 2003

Queens Canyon Quarry

The Queens Canyon, Pikeview and Snider Canyon quarries near Colorado Springs, Colorado became known as the "scars on the mountain" and have been the subject of controversy in Colorado Springs and El Paso County for nearly 50 years. Materials from the quarries have been used to build the Air Force Academy, the Colorado Springs airport and much of the community in and around Colorado Springs.

As the region grew the quarries became more visible. In the early 1990's a remarkable community effort began to develop visual quality objectives and to perform enhanced reclamation of the quarries. The effort involved the city, county and state governments, community groups, local businesses, private citizens and the owner of the quarries, Castle Concrete. Funds for the project are generated from both public and private sources.

With the assistance of thousands of volunteers over the years, Castle Concrete, and CMRF have completed implementation of the Enhanced Reclamation Plan for the Queens Canyon Quarry and the Snyder Quarry. The Enhanced Reclamation Plan for the
Pikeview Quarry was also in the process of being implemented; however, because of several significant landslides occurring in December of 2009, the plan can no longer be
implemented. Castle Concrete has since stopped all mining operations and closed the Pikeview Quarry until such time the site can be made stable and safe.

To fulfill CMRF’s responsibility the citizens of the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County, we plan to monitor the Amended Mining Plan to ensure its consistency with Castle Concrete’s previous commitment to improve the visual impact of the Pikeview Quarry.

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Colorado Mountain Reclamation Foundation
P.O. Box 6327
Colorado Springs, CO 80934
719-442-6949

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