Walk down the right alley in downtown Colorado Springs and you might stumble into an art gallery — no roof required.

A growing community of local artists has been transforming previously ignored alleyways and side streets into vibrant public art corridors. The movement, which started organically about two years ago, now includes dozens of murals across the downtown core.

"We wanted to make art accessible," said one of the project's organizers. "Not everyone walks into a gallery. But everyone walks down an alley."

The city has been supportive, streamlining the permitting process for mural projects and in some cases providing small grants. Business owners along the alley corridors report increased foot traffic.

A self-guided walking tour map is available at several downtown coffee shops, and the artists host quarterly "alley walks" where the public can meet the creators behind the work.