Colorado

Sarah Mausolf

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Changes to summer travel in the White River National Forest are still in the works, U.S. Forest Service officials say.

Under the revised “travel management plan,” most ATVs would no longer be allowed on several popular roads in the Vail area, according to the most recent plan draft released to the public.

Conservationists are getting behind the wheel of Colorado’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program. Two weeks ago, the Colorado State Parks Board passed sweeping reforms to the $4 million program, following a series of abuses.

The State Parks Board said it was seeking balance when it voted Jluy 16 to add four representatives from the nonmotorized recreation community to the OHV Program. In addition, the Parks Board voted to direct more funds away from OHV route construction and toward law enforcement and habitat restoration.

Allen Best

DURANGO, Colo. -- Oh, those rogue riders. While most motorized users have been circumspect about following rules, some of them insist on going where none have gone before, at least with internal-combustion engines.

The Durango Telegraph reports that two years ago the U.S. Forest Service opened 52 miles of roads and trails to motorized travel north of Durango. The idea was that by providing access to dedicated trails, motorized users wouldn't go where they weren't wanted.

Dave Buchanan

It’s now officially permissible to use state grants from user-funded off-highway vehicle programs for law enforcement and landscape restoration, following recent action by the Colorado State Parks Board.

While such grants in the past have been used for law enforcement, particularly by federal land-management agencies using state grants, the move by the parks board clarifies that use as part of the grant process.

David Lien

Recently the Colorado State Parks Board made long overdue changes to the state's OHV Grant Program, which will result in more funds being allocated to OHV law enforcement and habitat protection activities. It's common knowledge among hunters and others that OHV overuse and abuse is rampant on Colorado's public lands.

Although it's possible this is the result of “a few bad apples,” a Utah Parks and Recreation survey found that 50 percent of dirt bikers and ATV riders prefer to ride “off established trails.” That's half the crate, not just a few bad apples. More recently, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks surveyed OHV riders and found that 23 percent always or sometimes ride cross-country.

Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Depending on who’s talking, off-road vehicle use in Colorado is either part of a multi-use recreational utopia on public lands, or a looming disaster for wildlife and other natural resources.

Trying to find a balance between the different viewpoints, the Colorado State Parks board last week added four representatives from the non-motorized recreation community to a committee that reviews and recommends grant funding for trail projects.

Will Sands

The Forest Service is applying the brakes on off-road vehicle abuse in Southwest Colorado. A few bad throttles have been bending the rules, and the agency is now addressing motorized violations with a firmer hand.

Back in 2004, Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth named ORV abuse as a top threat to public lands. The move came in response to huge growth in motorsports and the sudden appearance of more than 60,000 miles of renegade routes on forests throughout the nation. At the time, Bosworth spoke out of both sides of his mouth and said, “Our goal is to improve opportunities for off-highway vehicles and assure the best care of the land.”

It was heartbreaking to see ATV tracks at the top of Ptarmigan Pass over this Fourth of July weekend. At least five ATVs crossed through a fallen part of the old fence there, and proceeded into the grassy rise leading to the summit. They cut directly into the tundra vegetation leaving what will most certainly become permanent scars on the mountain side.

I reached the Forest Service whose jurisdiction this is. Being undermanned, they can do little to stop this kind of criminal activity. Were they to catch the culprits, the fine could amount to as much as $1,000. (To repair the damage done would probably cost a great deal more.)

On June 1, Boulder County citizens will have a terrific opportunity to voice their support for environmental and wilderness protection to their congressman, Rep. Jared Polis. After hearing much from the mountain towns about the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal to protect public lands, Rep. Polis has scheduled a meeting in Boulder to hear how his Front Range constituents feel about land conservation. Please join me and other wilderness supporters on June 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Boulder Public Library's Canyon Theater. Those who arrive early can enjoy refreshments and meet the proposal's organizers.

Polls show that the public massively supports wilderness in general and this proposal in particular, but it remains vital that supportive citizens actually attend this meeting. The Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal is an important effort that has been underway for many years. It aims to protect fragile backcountry areas from the pressure that is occurring as a result of logging, mineral development and population growth.