by Evan Thomas

Residents are once again working to legalize access to the Manitou Incline, a popular -- and contentious -- local trail up the side of Pikes Peak.

A public workshop at Manitou Springs City Hall on June 24 will give those interested a chance to learn more about the trail, discuss the issues and suggest solutions to further the planning process. Current planning is funded by a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, a trust fund organization that in December of 2009 gave $70,500 to Colorado Springs to facilitate the analysis and planning for an eventual opening of the Incline trail.

Segments of the Incline are owned by Colorado Springs Utilities, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Manitou Cog Railway. Accessing the Incline is currently illegal -- it means trespassing on private property owned by the Cog Railway.

Liability issues and a severe parking crunch in Manitou Springs have slowed the legalization progress. Incline hikers who park on Ruxton Avenue at the base of the trail crowd out residents. Parking in the nearby Cog Railway lot takes up space designated for customers.

The most recent parking fix could benefit everyone. The Cog Railway granted a trail easement to allow legal access to the trailhead, in exchange for Colorado Springs allowing the Cog the use of a nearby lot for additional parking.

But the lot in question is owned by Colorado Springs Utilities and managed by the city of Manitou Springs. If Springs Utilities charges for the new parking, it's unclear where the proceeds would go. The Manitou city council wants any funding to be used to address local parking, while Springs Utilities would most likely use it for lot and trail maintenance.

It's one of the many issues likely to come up at Thursday's workshop. It begins at 7 p.m. at Manitou Springs City Hall.