High Line Canal Conservancy

⏰ 1 day to go! The Summer Scamper, 5K for All, presented by Land Title Guarantee Company, is almost here 🎉

Land Title Guarantee Company is a long-time partner of the High Line Canal Conservancy, and we are so honored to have them as this year's presenting sponsor. They have been a fixture in Colorado since 1967 and we look forward to a year of trailblazing together.

Join us on Wednesday, June 24 for a fun, feel-good evening on the High Line Canal, whether you’re running, walking, rolling or cheering from the sidelines. Your registration includes:
🏃‍♀️ 5K fun for all ages + abilities
👟 Free Kids Dash
🎽 Race timing + bib
📸 Race photos
🎉 Post-race Summer Fest with food, drinks & local vendors

Bring your friends, bring the family and come celebrate summer with us on the Canal 🌿
There's still time to join! Register at SummerScamper5K.com

Did you know the High Line Canal covers over 850 acres of open space? (That’s more than Central Park in NYC!)

Stretching as one of the longest urban trails in the country, the Canal winds through the heart of metro Denver, crossing 22 regional trails including the Cherry Creek Trail, Sand Creek Regional Greenway and Little Dry Creek Trail. This makes the High Line Canal a unique connector of vibrant communities, landscapes and natural spaces.

But it’s more than a trail. It’s a vital ecological corridor, and an increasingly important tool for climate resilience in Colorado. We’re working with partners to strengthen the Canal’s role in adapting to a changing climate. Through native plantings, more efficient stormwater use, habitat restoration and sustainable land management, the Canal is helping support healthier ecosystems and a more resilient urban landscape.

Together, these efforts ensure the Canal continues to serve both people and nature - now and into the future. Follow along to stay in the loop on how the Conservancy and its partners are managing natural resources and climate resiliency.

🌳 What does it take for a young tree to thrive along the High Line Canal?

That’s the question researchers at Denver Botanic Gardens are working to answer through a long-term study of nearly 400 newly planted trees. This week, Conservancy staff visited Eisenhower Park to learn more about the findings emerging from three years of tree monitoring.

While the research is ongoing, early patterns are already revealing an important lesson: every tree species responds differently to its environment. 🌱

Some standout findings:
☀️ Hackberries grow best with plenty of sunshine.
💧 More water isn’t always better for cottonwoods and boxelders.
🌾 Reducing competition from surrounding grasses can help young oaks establish and grow.
📊 Even small differences in planting conditions can have lasting effects on tree health and survival.

These insights are helping shape the future of the Canal’s tree canopy by giving land managers better tools to plant the right tree in the right place.

The future of the High Line Canal starts with understanding what helps today’s young trees succeed. 🌿

Read more about the research from Denver Botanic Gardens: https://www.botanicgardens.org/blog/what-three-years-data-say-about-tree-response-planting-conditions

What do cool summer evenings, family-friendly fun, a scenic run along the High Line Canal and a cold post-race beer have in common? They will all be present at the annual Summer Scamper 5K for All, presented by Land Title Guarantee Company, on June 24!

We're just one week away from one of our favorite Canal events of the year, and there's still time to join the fun. Whether you're racing for a personal best, strolling with friends or bringing the whole family out for an evening adventure, the Summer Scamper has something for everyone.

🏃 A free pre-race Kids Dash
🎉 Access to the post-race Summer Fest featuring food, drinks, vendors, and community fun
📸 Race photos, a race bib, and official timing results
🌳 A memorable evening on the High Line Canal with fellow Canal supporters

Don't miss this community celebration of summer and movement on the Canal. Register today at SummerScamper5K.com and join us on the trail!

2026 — HIGH LINE CANAL SUMMER SCAMPER — HIGH LINE CANAL SUMMER SCAMPER James A. Bible Park, East Yale Avenue, Denver, Colorado - The fourth annual High Line Canal Summer Scamper, 5K for… - June 24, 2026

Come to Scamper along the course and stay to explore the Summer Fest, including an amazing Kids Zone from Arapahoe County Government!

June stewardship opportunity! 🌿

Join Conservancy staff and volunteers this Saturday morning as we care for the Canal in Aurora. This month, we're tackling trash and invasive thistle.

The impact of just a few hours of work is remarkable! Be part of the difference. Save your spot and sign up today: https://hlcc.volunteerhub.com/vv2/

🕰️ 💧 The High Line Canal traces back to planning efforts in the 1870s, when the Northern Colorado Irrigation Company, often referred to as the British or English Company due to its British investors, began organizing one of Colorado’s major early water infrastructure projects.

The company secured water rights to divert water from the South Platte River and acquired land that remained largely undeveloped following the construction of the transcontinental railroad, which had been routed further north. From there, they worked to build and sell both land and water access to incoming settlers in the region.

By the time construction wrapped up in 1883, the Canal had cost approximately $650,000 (roughly $21 million today). It was originally intended to irrigate up to 650,000 acres of farmland, though that scale of irrigation was never fully realized.

Even so, the project remains one of the most significant early water infrastructure undertakings in Colorado — reflecting the ambition, investment and complexity of reshaping water access in an arid landscape.

Learn more about the Canal’s history at highlinecanal.org/history

We are grateful to HAL Sports for their support in bringing the Summer Scamper, 5k for All, presented by Land Title Guarantee Company for the fourth year! See you on the course!

☀️🏃‍♀️ Summer Scamper is back! 🏃‍♂️🌿

The 4th Annual High Line Canal Summer Scamper 5K for All is Tuesday, June 24 at Bible Park in Denver—the perfect way to kick off summer!

👟 Kids 8 & under start with the FREE 200m Ditch Dash, then it’s time to scamper along the Canal—run, walk, or stroll through a fun, feel-good 5K surrounded by community and nature 🌳💛

🎉 Stick around for the Canal Summer Fest with food, drinks, live music, and summer fun for all ages!

🎽 Registration includes an event shirt, chip-timed bib, event photos, one meal ticket (GF & vegan options available), and one drink ticket (NA options + beer for 21+) 🍔🍻

💚 Hosted by the High Line Canal Conservancy , supporting the 71-mile Canal for generations to come.

https://summerscamper5k.com/