Tucked away from view and obscured by a Highway 24 access bridge, flows a magnificent and historic waterfall. At one time, so beautiful, it was named Rainbow Falls for the rainbow that used to frame this scenic design from Mother Nature's palate.

This long forgotten piece of land just west of Manitou Springs, was formerly touted as a picturesque recreation location and a destination for visiting families. It is now a haven for graffiti taggers, drug addicts, and a few irresponsible pistol users.

Reclaiming and restoring this area, once sacred to the Ute Indians and a well-know stagecoach stop on the Ute Pass, will not be an easy task. But a group of Manitou Springs citizens is up to the challenge. Aptly named MECA (Manitou Environmental Citizens Action), this nonprofit corporation envisions reclaiming and restoring the Rainbow Falls area to the splendor known to visitors prior to the bridge cutting off its' effervescence and spirit.

"The problems are many-fold: Extensive erosion has wiped out the path to the falls and is causing flooding issues downstream; Graffiti taggers leave spray paint cans and trash in the water damaging the environment; And the general neglect has allowed this beautiful and sacred place to be desecrated with broken bottles, wet sleeping bags, and obscene slogans spattered on the rocks and ledges which surround the falls," said Lane Williams, MECA co-founder.

With MECA involving and facilitating the discussion, the Colorado Department of Transportation has taken some responsibility for the bridge and the erosion problems. The El Paso County Parks and Leisure Services would like to see this area made into the trailhead for the Ute Pass Revitalization Project. The Manitou Springs City Council and Public Works Department has taken on a supportive role. Also involved are Workout Limited, which utilized their workforce to start removing the graffiti from the bridge and a team of rescue workers who painted over some of the graffiti on the high rocks that surround the area. The El Paso County Sheriff's Department is looking into the issues of patrolling and enforcing the area with the help of the Manitou Springs Police Force. Pete Frech, former director of Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful and Sallie Clark, El Paso County Commissioner, have taken this on as their personal project.

But Rainbow Falls cannot be reclaimed without the involvement of concerned and willing citizens who want to be able to enjoy the splendor and beauty that is the Fall's natural state.

So on July 31, MECA will hold a town meeting to seek input and involve the community in creating a vision to reclaim and revitalize Rainbow Falls and a means to carry out the vision.

Some of the ideas so far include:

Reconstructing the path to Rainbow Falls,
Adding picnic tables and trash cans,
Rebuilding the natural course of the stream back into a series of waterfalls,
Recreating a fishing and wading pool,
Expanding the parking area,
Forming a citizen's patrol group to deter those who lack respect for the area,
Involving more organizations, such as the Fish and Game Commission, Army Corp. of Engineers, and others,
Removing all the graffiti from the bridge and rocks, and creating a legal graffiti wall in Manitou Springs.

These are just a few of the ideas, and more input is being sought, but it will take more than just ideas. It will take time, money, and lots of hard work and involvement from area residents.

"This will be a long-term project," said L'Aura Montgomery, MECA co-founder. "I am not doing this only so I can enjoy the falls, but so my children, grandchildren and future generations can visit Rainbow Falls and enjoy the beauty of this inspiring natural and sacred place. Helping to reclaim this area is a gift we can all give to Mother Earth, helping the future of our planet and our little corner of the world."

To get involved in MECA's Rainbow Falls Restoration Project, call L'Aura at 719-502-0938.