June 12, 2023

Disruptive Rains continue

Today’s excessive rain is once again causing drainage issues in the Black Forest Road construction zone. Crews have placed pumps at multiple locations in the project zone to drain water away from the roadway and construction. These pumps will remain in place as long as needed for the safety of our crews and the public, and local residents may experience higher levels of noise than usual due to the pumps that will need to run overnight. 

The project team apologizes for the noise and any inconvenience, and reminds you to be safe, watch for crews, and avoid flooded roads. 

Cowpoke Road west of Black Forest Road remains closed to Gray Ghost Drive 

Cowpoke Road detour:

During this closure, eastbound Cowpoke Road traffic headed toward Black Forest Road will be detoured south on Tutt Boulevard, then east on Woodmen Road. Westbound Cowpoke Road traffic from Black Forest Road will be detoured south to westbound Woodmen Road, then to northbound Tutt Boulevard.

A temporary closure of Cowpoke Road east of Black Forest Road has not been rescheduled at this time. The project team is reevaluating construction phasing at this location.

Map indicates location of the temporary closure of Cowpoke Road west

Copper Point Peak remains closed

Work continues in and around Copper Peak Point, the access road between Black Forest Road and the Copper Range Apartments. That access will remain closed indefinitely for the safety of the traveling public and construction team.

Progress!

Despite the record rains of May and early June, the project team has continued to make significant construction progress throughout the project zone:

• A new stormwater detention pond adjacent to Copper Range Apartments and its connection to the underground stormwater system are nearly complete
• Two of the three boulder drop structures in Cottonwood Creek are completed. The structures help control the flow of water, reducing erosion in the creek channel, particularly during heavy rains 
• Removal of old pavement on Cowpoke Road west of Black Forest Road is complete, and roadway construction is ongoing

Stay Informed

The project is widening the roadway to two lanes in each direction between Woodmen Road and Research Parkway. Funded through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) “A” List of projects, work is scheduled to be complete in late 2024.  

For project information or to sign up to receive construction updates via email, call 800-887-4155 or visit Coloradosprings.gov/BlackForestRd.