Richards Rubbish Roundup (R3) began in October of 2023 when former four-term City Council member Richard Skorman began organizing groups of volunteers to clean up litter along Fountain Creek. Since then, our amazing volunteers have picked up 4,142 bags (82,840 pounds) of trash and safely collected and disposed of 1,428 needles. We have also rallied over 800 volunteers to participate in our Roundups, weather permitting, every week of the year.
It’s no secret that the amount of trash that is on our streets, in our parks, in our creeks and streams, and in our neighborhoods in the Pikes Peak Region is daunting. In addition to picking up the trash ourselves, Richards Rubbish Roundup works to develop collaborations with many city agencies, local nonprofits, churches, colleges, high schools and other community groups, giving them the tools and expertise to pick up litter safely and efficiently.
We have done well executing our mission, but we would like to expand it to both hire staff to do regular spot pickups in problem areas, and to provide pickers, vests, cans for needles, places to toss the garbage, and safety protocols to hundreds of other groups around the Region. Our goal is to make the Pikes Peak Region and its many waterways, parks and trails, the cleanest and safest in the Country. We can only do it with your help.
In a study conducted by Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center, samples were taken from 16 Front Range water bodies including Monument Creek. Microplastics were found in 100% of the samples.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Phone: 719.238.1161