A draft management plan outlines enhancements and strategies to meet growing demand at a state park on Colorado’s Front Range.

Staunton State Park visitation has grown by more than 130,000 over the past five years, according to the draft plan that was recently posted for public review. Officials have reported average visitation around 240,000 in recent years.

“While visitation levels at other state parks have returned to pre-COVID-19 numbers, visitation levels at Staunton State Park have continued to increase,” the plan reads.

It seems more hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers and campers are still discovering one of Colorado’s newest state parks, opened in 2013. The plan describes Staunton as a mosaic of “rugged rock outcroppings, lush grassy meadows, rolling hillsides forested with conifers and aspens and a dramatic waterfall.” That waterfall is Elk Falls, considered the tallest waterfall closest to Denver.

The draft plan proposes a second park entrance at Davis Ponds. Another 25 campsites are envisioned, adding to the 25 walk-up sites. A third group picnic area is also envisioned. Other proposals include rehabilitating Elk Falls Dam, restoring historic structures, updating signage and developing “a strategic trail plan” that analyzes the current 32.7 miles of trail and “supports visitation for the next 50 years and beyond.”

Another top priority: “augment operational and personnel resources.”

While recognizing more pass sales and revenue from more visitors, “it is getting extremely difficult to maintain public safety, understand the need and expectations of park visitors, and provide the level of customer services that park guests have come to expect from” Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the draft plan reads.

But visitation does not seem to be a serious concern among parkgoers, according to surveying. “Despite increases in visitation, visitors largely reported that the park is either uncrowded or crowded but not detracting from their experience,” the draft plan states.

They reported wanting more “recreational amenities,” the plan notes. “However, they stressed that they do not want to see the park become ‘overdeveloped.’”

The 102-page document considers rising recreation as a top threat to habitat: “Recreationists have the potential to displace wildlife, cause trail erosion, impact water quality and spread noxious weeds.” In terms of the strategic trail plan, the idea is to “concentrate” visitors “to conserve sensitive areas.”

Land managers will host a virtual meeting Tuesday to go over the draft plan, starting at 6 p.m. Another meeting is set for 6 p.m. July 8 at the park’s visitor center.

Feedback can also be submitted online and the draft plan reviewed at engagecpw.org/staunton-state-park-management-plan.