Archaeological Stewardship in the Pikes Peak Region: Preserving the Past While Planning for the Futureat 215 S. Tejon Street

Archaeological Stewardship in the Pikes Peak Region: Preserving the Past While Planning for the Future with Anna Cordova, Regional Parks Manager – Garden of the Gods Park & Lead Archaeologist Saturday, May 9, 2026 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum presents the 2026 “We The People: Colorado at 150” lecture series. To honor the America 250/Colorado 150 commemorations, this series will explore the diverse experiences and voices of Coloradans. $5 suggested donation. Registration is required.   ABOUT THE PROGRAM May is National Historic Preservation Month. Join Anna Cordova, City of Colorado Springs’ Lead Archaeologist, and the Manager of Garden of the Gods Park, for a captivating look at archaeological stewardship in the Pikes Peak region. The City of Colorado Springs is rich in archaeology.  Over the course of the last several years, the City’s archaeology team has handled a variety of projects involving our rich cultural and archaeological resources.  Some of these recent endeavors have included overseeing multiple projects in Garden of the Gods Park, conducting survey and test excavation at Corral Bluffs, assisting with full surveys of Austin Bluffs Open Space and Cheyenne Canon Park, further exploring the findings from the excavation of General Palmer’s middens, recent and on-going excavation of the Fatty Rice curio shop site at Garden of the Gods, and many more.  The projects have involved public engagement, Tribal consultation, field work, lab work, collaboration with the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, and partnerships with various agencies.  This presentation will explore the challenges, successes, and rewards of the efforts that go into the stewardship of Colorado Springs’ archaeological assets. ABOUT THE PRESENTER Anna Cordova is the City of Colorado Springs’ Lead Archaeologist and the Manager of Garden of the Gods Park.  A Colorado Springs native and graduate of UCCS, Cordova has 20 years of experience in professional archaeology, ethnography, and preservation. Her experience includes a variety of field work, laboratory work, and extensive collaboration with various government agencies, contractors, tribal representatives, and indigenous communities. Cordova has archaeological experience in several states, with most of her work taking place in Hawaii and in Colorado. Her work as the Colorado Springs Lead Archaeologist involves frequent tribal consultation, public education, mitigation, and general stewardship of the archaeological resources of City of Colorado Springs’ parks and open spaces.  She carries these fundamentals over into her work managing and stewarding Garden of the Gods Park which sees over 5 million visitors a year. This calendar listing is brought to you by Peak Radar, the Pikes Peak region’s one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.