The headline read, “Colorado Springs to Close 10 park bathrooms Amid Funding Shortfall.  

This inconvenience is caused by a $2 million shortfall in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. Sales tax revenue came in lower than expected so the department’s budget dropped from $19 million to $17 million. 

“Our staff tried to minimize and spread out the impact as much as possible, while recognizing we have a budget shortfall and we need to contribute to meeting the gap,” Acting Parks Director Kim King said in recent coverage. 

That statement is responsible, practical and reflects the reality cities face when revenue dips. We know how to tighten our belts in Colorado Springs because we’ve done it before.  

During the Great Recession in 2010 – it was much worse. Our Parks Department budget fell from about $17 million to roughly $3 million.  

Back then we took very drastic measures. Landscaping efforts were curtailed. Trash cans removed from parks because the city could not afford garbage collection. All public restrooms were closed.  

We made national news. But not in a positive way. Colorado Springs experienced a temporary decline in quality of life.  

We can’t afford that again. Colorado Springs markets itself as an outdoorsy, healthy, and family-friendly city. Those values require more than scenic views. They require all components of our parks to function effectively. 

So, let’s talk about solutions. Back in 2010 our city essentially adopted a “DIY government” model, relying heavily on volunteers, nonprofits, and donations to keep services operating. Let’s pay attention to what the recession – taught us.  

During that crisis, the city couldn’t afford to operate several municipal pools. Rather than closing them, the city sold them to the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. The YMCA now operates the facilities as community recreation centers. This shows us how partnerships are an available tool in our current situation.  

With our issues today, the city could retain ownership while contracting restroom maintenance to private facilities management firms or workforce development nonprofits under performance agreements. That shifts some operational burden while keeping accountability high.  

We can operate Adopt-a-Park or Adopt-a-Facility programs. Local businesses sponsor maintenance of a restroom or small park facility. In exchange, they receive tasteful recognition and community goodwill. If twenty mid-sized companies committed $50,000 annually, that generates $1 million.  

There is also room for philanthropy. A Park Sustainability Fund, possibly housed through a local foundation, could create an endowment to stabilize essential maintenance funding. Sales tax revenue fluctuates. Endowment income could help.  

We have that capacity here. 

In Colorado Springs we have: Regional banks. Healthcare systems. Construction firms. Engineering companies. Outdoor brands. Faith organizations and philanthropic foundations. And much more. 

The funding gap is not larger than our corporate ecosystem. We simply need a structured approach.  

None of these ideas are radical. We can implement them and avoid the inevitable issues around sales tax in the age of online purchasing.  

Let’s avoid waiting passively for decline. 

This moment is an opportunity for leadership beyond budget management. It is an opportunity to convene business, philanthropy, and civic stakeholders in one room and say: “How do we protect the everyday infrastructure that makes our neighborhoods livable?” 

Because let’s be honest. Bathrooms are not political. They are practical. 

In parks, they support families. They support tourism. They support property values. They support public health. 

If we allow small closures to accumulate without creative response, the signal becomes cultural: shared spaces are expendable. But they are not. 

Imagine with me – a press conference announcing a Collaborative Parks Partnership Initiative. Local businesses are stepping forward. Foundations are committing matching dollars. A transparent plan outlining how $2 million is stabilized through diversified support is presented. 

Let’s consider – Who helps sustain public spaces when government funding fluctuates? 

In Colorado Springs, the answer was and will always be … the community. Volunteers. Businesses. Foundations. Civic organizations. Faith organizations of all kinds. 

Colorado Springs has creativity, the capital and despite our differences – the civic spirit. What we need now is the call for a stronger, more collaborative city story.  

Locked park restroom doors do not have to be the final word.