A-Frame Housing

The Friends of Florissant are launching one of our most impactful campaigns to date. With the generous support from our partners at the National Park Foundation, we are raising funds for remodeling the A-Frame housing structure on Monument grounds. The pre-existing structure, built in the 1970’s, allows the footprint and basic structure to provide a housing option, when remodeled, for our interns and future stewards of public lands. In addition, it can provide temporary housing for transitioning NPS employees and those NPS employees who work at the Monument for short deployments. 

Intern housing has been the Friends’ major expense in support of interns in recent years. Our current donations and grants are insufficient to attract many interns. The same is true for seasonal and permanent NPS employees. The high cost of short-term housing and lack of local availability of rentals, force most interns and seasonal employees to seek housing in Colorado Springs. This adds two+ hours to their workdays in addition to transportation costs and weather-related delays. Providing housing options can attract the best of the best. 

NPS employees will pay rent when they utilize this housing. It will also allow for climate-controlled storage of fossils with fire suppression protection. It can free up future Friends’ funds for financial support of additional intern expenses and Monument needs when indicated. 

The plans include establishing two trailer pads with hookups for traveling employees who provide their own travel trailers/small motor homes. Previous Friends’ financial contributions have established a septic system and water system in anticipation of this long-term project. This housing option has been a goal of the Friends and the Monument for over 20 years. 

Our CO Gives fundraising efforts this autumn and on CO Gives Day on December 8th will be promoting this project along with the Vim Wright Legacy Fund to support our most treasured resource-our Monument’s human resources. Your generous contribution can be made by hitting the DONATE button in this newsletter. Additionally, CO Gives Foundation provides the Friends an avenue for donations by major credit card, bank account, PayPal, IRA Charitable Distribution, donor advised fund (DAF) and many more forms of payment. 

For more information regarding this high-priority project, please contact: Patty Glatfelter, Treasurer via email at: jspg@live.com or text: 719-684-6405.