GEOCACHING GUILDELINES FOR CITY PARKS & OPEN SPACE AREAS
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

In response to the growing sport of geocaching, the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department has implemented a set of guidelines that works to allow certain activities and/or caches, and at the same time limits the risk of unattended, closed containers being left in the park system. The two main concerns of the Parks Department are: 1) The traditional cache, or large physical container associated with geocaching, and; 2) any activity that promotes off-trail hiking.

· Traditional caches: Traditional caches (ammo cans, Tupperware containers, boxes, etc.) are not permitted in any park or open space within the jurisdiction of the City of Colorado Springs. If a traditional cache is discovered, the team responsible for placing the cache will be contacted via email, along with a letter and copy of the geocache guidelines. Teams will then have a two week period to remove the cache. If the cache is not removed within two weeks, Parks Staff will dispose of the cache.

· Micro caches: Certain micro caches are permitted in parks and open spaces within the jurisdiction of the City of Colorado Springs. The micro caches allowed include any clear plastic ID card holders (wallet-sized) and small containers basically the size of chap-stick tubes. Micro caches must be placed on or directly adjacent to a designated trail.

· Virtual caches: Virtual caches are permitted in parks and open spaces within the jurisdiction of the City of Colorado Springs. Please post the coordinates for a virtual cache on a designated trail. (Palmer Park & Ute Valley Park offer great rock formations and views for virtual caches.)

· Tags and post-its: Tags are permitted in parks and open spaces within the jurisdiction of the City of Colorado Springs. Tags are most common in association with multi-caches, and are simply laminated or metal tags with coordinates, clues or other text listed on them. As with micro or virtual caches, please locate the tag on a designated trail. (Existing trail signage is a good place to post these, as long as the tag does not damage or obscure the sign.) Tying the tag to a tree with string, wire or plastic is OK, as long as the tree is not damaged in the process. Nailing, stapling, or tacking tags to trees is prohibited.

Geocache Events: If a team wishes to host a one-day event, geocaches will be permitted (including traditional caches), as long as the caches are placed on designated trails the same day as the event, and are picked up immediately after the event. The containers should be clearly marked with the date and name of the team and/or event. The hosting team must supervise the event in a manner that minimizes the chance an outside group or person might tamper with the caches throughout the event.

Parks Staff will continue to monitor any new caches. New caches that conform to the above guidelines do not require prior approval from Parks Staff.

If you or your team has questions, please contact the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department at 385-5940 or email CityParks@springsgov.com.