Pikes Peak Summit Complex Project and Cog Railway Update Project

Pikes Peak - America's Mountain is one of the most visited mountains in the world and a top tourist attraction for the State of Colorado. Annually, more than 750,000 people reach the summit via the Pikes Peak Highway, the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, or, for the more adventurous, the Barr or Crags hiking trails. Pikes Peak is an American icon, and the summit is a National Historic Landmark (NHL) that holds a special place in America's heart.

The deteriorating condition of the existing Summit Complex, reminds us, however, that nature wins in the end, unless we learn to build for and live with the environment. The need to replace outdated, difficult to maintain facilities has prompted the City of Colorado Springs, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine and Colorado Springs Utilities to embark on a process to design and build a new Summit Visitor Center on one site and consolidate a Plant Building, CSU Communications Facility and High-Altitude Research Laboratory on the second site.

2020 Construction Timeline

Interior work on the new complex began in late 2019. Construction of the summit complex will continue in 2020 during the milder months to complete the building’s exterior. With considerable construction progress made during 2019, the project team anticipates an even faster pace in 2020.

• Finish Structural Backfill - Early Summer 2020
• Finish Concrete Slab Sequence - Mid-Summer 2020
• Finish Boardwalk System - Late Summer 2020
• Dining Terrace - Mid-Summer 2020
• West Parking Lot - Summer 2020
• Roof System - Summer 2020
• Window System - Late Summer 2020
• Start Exhibit Install - Early Fall 2020

After many months of research, planning, and community support, we’re excited to share the progress we’re making toward reopening in May 2021. Check back here often or even better, sign up for updates. And while you wait to board the train, please continue to support the extraordinary area of Manitou Springs.

Here’s what we’ve been up to: www.cograilway.com/project-updates/