$75,000 Raised, White Acres Saved

The $75,000 campaign to save White Acres, a critical parcel of Colorado Springs Front Range open space, is complete.  The campaign took a major leap forward in September when an anonymous donor, working with the Palmer Land Trust, pledged to match, dollar-for-dollar, any new contributions—up to $25,000.

In the three months before the challenge was made, Palmer Land Trust and Friends of Red Rock Canyon had raised $25,000 towards the effort.  The challenge provided incentive for hundreds of members of the Colorado Springs community to bring the fundraising effort to a quick conclusion.  Over 300 citizens, as well as businesses and foundations, contributed to the effort, advancing the campaign's conclusion in early October.  The fundraising deadline was November 15, 2009.

White Acres is a 47-acre parcel of open space strategically located next to Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Manitou Section 16, and Bear Creek Canyon.  The property’s geology, topography and proximity to these other open spaces have made it a priority for preservation.  The $75,000 will aid the City of Colorado Springs' purchase of the property, which will take place over the next four years.  The $75K community fundraising effort was required to get the project off the ground and conclude the first phase—which has a total cost of $100,000.  The majority of the $900,000 needed to purchase the remaining acres will be provided by the TOPS sales tax over the subsequent three years.