Placed by Cheyenne Mountain State Park Rangers, please be
respectful of all surroundings. Stay on trails as much as possible,
avoid creating social trails by trying to step where other's feet
have not.
PARK ONLY IN PARKING LOTS...DO NOT PARK ALONG THE ROADWAY OR
IN FRONT OF LOCKED GATES. IF YOU DON'T, YOU FACE A $50 FINE! YOU
HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Considered one of the "crown jewels" in Colorado's extensive
state park system, Cheyenne Mountain State Park is the result of
strong partnerships and years of thoughtful planning. Acquired in
June 2000 through a partnership between the City of Colorado
Springs, Colorado State Parks, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and
other local private organizations, the park represents the
protection of one of the last significant open spaces along the
southern section of the Colorado Front Range.
The name 'raccoon' comes from the Algonquin word 'arakun' which
means "one who scratches with his hands". When raccoons were first
identified as a species they were given the name Ursus lotor or
"washer bear". After much debate in the scientific community their
name was changed to Procyon lotor which translates as "washer dog"
Raccoons prefer to make their dens in hollows of standing trees but
have also been known to use underground burrows. Their adaptability
to the loss of habitat brought on by human development has led them
to use abandoned buildings and vehicles as denning sites as well.
Raccoons are common throughout North and South America. Which, of
course, means they may be seen in CMSP.