On this week's podcast, Bob and guest Susan Davies from the Trails and Open Space Coalition discuss 2023 Colorado Springs ballot measure #1, which extends the Trails, Open Space, and Parks (TOPS) progam to 2045. They discuss what the TOPS program is, how it has benefitted Colorado Springs, what minor changes are included in the ballot, and also dispel myths regarding the ballot language. TOSC website: https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob sits down with Carl Bauer, the District Ranger for the Pikes Peak Ranger District of the Pike National Forest.  In their first interview, Bauer, who has been the District Ranger for just under a year, talks about his history with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. He discusses the different places around the country he has worked, along with the varied positions he has filled, and how he landed in Colorado Springs.  There are plans for future podcasts with Bauer that will delve into issues specific to the Pikes Peak region. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob chats with Todd Marts, the Executive Director of the El Paso County (CO) Parks and Community Services Department. They discuss some significant accomplishments of the department in 2022 and a preview of what the department is planning for 2023. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob chats with Britt Haley, the director of the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. They discuss some significant accomplishments of the department in 2022 and a preview of what the department is planning for 2023. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss the value of volunteerism, how it's quantified, and how one local news outlet got it wrong. Also, recent winter weather, and why the weather is a constant topic of conversation; the TOPS extension is now on the Colorado Springs ballot for April. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

In this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss a 2022 study from the University of Montana which shows that the National Park Service's advance reservations systems effectively locks out lower income users. They discuss how this has been a concern of theirs when these systems were first introduced, and also how the high entry fees charged at the most popular national parks also causes lower income users to be shut out.  The also discuss how Colorado Parks and Wildlife is taking steps to make it less expensive for people to use Colorado's state parks. Also, a discussion about making national parks more accessible to mobility challenged users, and how some local state and county parks are working to increase accessibility. And, hiking in the cold and snowy Colorado winter. University of Montana study: https://bit.ly/3GYEjuM Accessiblity article (USA Today subscription required) : https://bit.ly/3HxkiNv Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss possible legislation in Colorado to free private landowners of liability if they allow recreational use. Also, an update on trails in Fishers Peak State Park, the TOPS ballot measure advances, and new levels for Patreon supporters. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss the upcoming election to re-authorize Colorado Springs' "TOPS" program, answer a listener question about altitude sickness, upcoming "Listening Sessions", where recreationists can make their voices heard with public land managers, and more. Altitude sickness article: https://wb.md/3iwUZRU Listening sessions: https://ppora.org/oppi Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast Bob and co-host Kevin discuss how to hike safely in severe winter weather. Also, hiking statistics for 2022; GPS enabled watches; places to go in 2023, the unintended consequences of the iPhone 14 SOS feature, and more. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob welcomes co-host Kevin back to the podcast.  Bob reveals his next adventure, and some ideas for more adventures. Also, this is the last few days to donate to the Give! campaign. Give! website: https://givepikespeak.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://www.Wildwestendorf.com Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob