Citywide Cleanup a trashy success

Keep Woodland Park Beautiful cleaned up half a ton of litter at this year’s Citywide Cleanup

Featured in the Pikes Peak Courier on Jun 30, 2025

One hundred volunteers, 50 bags of trash, visible signs of a cleanup campaign led by Keep Woodland Park Beautiful. A beautiful day in the city, June 21 shone a spotlight on community spirit and the effort of citizens to enhance the native beauty.

“Our mission is to beautify the city for our 23rd annual Keep Woodland Park Beautiful citywide cleanup,” said Leah Watters, co-chair of the nonprofit organization’s cleanup. “Everyone is so excited!”

On that sunny day in June, groups of citizens spread all over the city, including on land east of town near the bustling U.S. Hwy. 24. The locations were the result of a survey of citizens, Watters said.

A group led by Sheilah Jimenez of Adopt a Garden took flowers from the city garden to place along main street, the library, Ute Pass Cultural Center and in Lions Park.

In Memorial Park, retired Columbine Elementary School teacher Claudia Miller showed kids how to make bird feeders, along with a lesson on the various local species.

The city’s business community picked up the spirit with donations: Java Haus, coffee; Donut Mill, donuts; Jimmy Johns, sandwiches; Walmart and Safeway, cleanup supplies. Apex Teller Transfer Station offer free drop-off and pickup of trash collected in bags.

“We’re hoping to do a second cleanup in October,” Watters said.