(MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.) — Manitou Springs released an assessment of its tree cover within the city, giving it a baseline on its tree canopy in urban areas. The City said on Tuesday, Jan. 14, City Council was presented with the assessment based on aerial imagery from 2020. The findings of the study showed the amount of tree coverage in the following areas: 41.22% canopy cover in city parks 11.5% in the Commercial Core zone (Manitou Avenue from Old Mans Trail to the Ruxton Roundabout) 16.7% in the Urban Renewal Authority zone 19.05% in the West Manitou zone (Ruxton Roundabout to Serpentine Roundabout) The City said this study will inform future plans for planting trees and provide a framework for periodic evaluations to enhance the city's green infrastructure. The City said it has future plans for; a neighborhood and commercial planting campaign, continuing the tree voucher program, promoting firewise landscaping, conducting a 2024 tree canopy assessment, using advanced mapping technology, and measuring progress over time. More information about Manitou Springs' forestry plans can be found on the City's website.