This paper discusses the Pikes Peak Multi-Use Plan. Demands on Pikes Peakresources were escalating because the nation's, and the Colorado front range'spopulations were escalating. The demands included greater access for a variety ofdevelopmental purposes, and increased recreational opportunities. The US ForestService and the Water Resources Department, as co-stewards of much of themountain's public lands, felt the need to balance demands for recreation anddevelopment with their responsibility to prevent further loss and degradation ofthe mountain's natural resources. Prior to designing the plan, a thorough background study of political and public issues surrounding the mountain was conducted through staff interviews, area newspapers, libraries and local historians. Several controversial issues had existed around recreational use of the mountain for decades. Knowing that emotions ran high on all aspects of Pikes drove the design of a public participation process that would provide easy access to people on all sides of all issues. In order for the public process to be successful, it would have to give all values a forum, to be expressed and have to be long-running, so that value holders could come to know and respect each other. Includes figure.