2025 marked the completion of a passion project nearly a decade in the making. Co-written with my good friend Brook Bowman, Year-by-Year is a 145-page text charting the history of Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From the Nuu-ciu to pioneers, prospectors, railroad barons, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, tourists, and conservationists, the park’s story is a human one. Brook and I took a deep dive into public records, land patents, local histories, and interviewed people with current and historic family ties to the Garden.
Garden of the Gods is Colorado’s most visited park, with over five million visitors annually. My connection began in 2008 as a volunteer supporting school field trips. This two square-mile chunk that perfectly captures the natural wonder of Colorado’s Front Range captivates me to this day. Brook’s Colorado history rabbit hole started with a look into who was William Blackmore and exploded from there. What she started I finished and both of us are overjoyed at the result.
Year-by-Year is the property of the City of Colorado Springs Office of Cultural Services, part of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Currently only to City staff and volunteers can access the book as a resource. However, with a little luck, salesmanship, and good publicity, perhaps the City will publish it and make this book available to the public. Fingers crossed!