What We Do - CCMR Advocacy

The Disappearing Trails
CCMR In Action
Success Stories

The Disappearing Trails

Have you ever been out riding and all of a sudden you come upon a sign that says your favorite trail system or connector trail is closed?

It is CCMR’s mission to be a strong advocate for the preservation and creation of singletrack trails (see DudBob Trail story below) in the Central Colorado area.  While our focus is singletrack, our advocacy efforts benefit all responsible trail enthusiasts.

Budget cuts for public trail systems and increases in designated wilderness areas has escalated the closure of trails - and the access they provide for our recreation.  These losses often happen without public awareness or debate.  You have only to look at the decades of trail closures in other parts of the country to recognize the trends and see that our Central Colorado recreation opportunities are in real danger.

Motorized recreational enthusiasts are being out-lobbied and outspent by people who advocate to reduce or eliminate motorized trails on our public lands.  CCMR recognizes the value of the nation's vast array of protected lands.  We also appreciate the recreational and economic value of maintaining and expanding mixed-use trails. CCMR will work with organizations and public land officials to promote the maintenance and expansion of multi-use recreational opportunities. We will advocate that public trail designations be based on educated, reasonable, and balanced plans. 

When hearings are held and decisions are made on how Central Colorado public lands will be used, CCMR will work with like-minded organizations to bring awareness to public officials and land agencies on the historic, economic, and recreational value of motorized trails.

JOIN US in our efforts to work with the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to preserve motorized trails in Central Colorado.

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CCMR In Action:

A coalition group of five conservation groups represented as "Earthjustice" moved to file a legal challenge to the U.S. Forest Service’s official approval of hundreds of miles of routes for motorized vehicle use on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. Earth Justice claimed that these “never-analyzed” routes grew out of decades of inadequate off-road vehicle management.

Conservation advocates, recreation groups, and the Forest Service settled the lawsuit filed by Earth Justice that challenged how the Forest Service manages dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, and other motor vehicles in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Click below for comments submitted by CCMR.

CCMR Pike/San Isabel Comments(PDF file)

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Success Stories

It can get discouraging at times to go up against the well-funded organizations that lobby to close and/or limit our trails.

However, there are some recent success stories. CCMR's mentor, the Trail Preservation Alliance was heavily involved in legislation regarding a Wilderness Study area which subsequently mandated motorized usage as a characteristic of the area to be protected and preserved by law. That was a first in the nation.

Another recent success is the new DudBob Trail that CCMR built with a grant paid for by the stickers OHV users purchase each year.  CCMR President, Bob Daniel and Dudley Fetch led a lengthy effort to get funding, environmental assessments, and approval to develop a new six mile long singletrack trail.

The DudBob Trail Location:
The DudBob Trail is located within the Chinaman Gulch area of Four Mile on BLM property.  The western trailhead is north of the Chinaman Gulch jeep trailhead.  The eastern trailhead is located where the FR1423 ATV trail meets the jeep trail.  This is near the Triad Ridge singletrack trails. 

The DudBob Trail Journey:
In 2018, CCMR worked with BLM personnel to lay out and flag the trail.  Next the BLM conducted an environment assessment including archeological and biologist reviews of the proposed trail.  CCMR then collected bids from trail builders and in November, wrote a Colorado Parks and Wildlife OHV Grant proposal to be paid for by the $25.25 OHV stickers.  CCMR then prepared and presented a grant presentation to the grant committee in March 2019.  We were awarded a contract and a grant to construct the trail.  Funding was provided in April 2020 and we let a subcontract to perform the mini excavator effort. CCMR flagged the trail and with BLM and Forest Service support pre-cleared the trail for the excavator.  It took eight weeks to excavate the trail.  CCMR, BLM, and FS personnel followed behind the excavator removing loose rocks, lopping remaining branches, a knocking down beams, and general trail cleanup.  BLM then installed trail marker and intersection signs. CCMR purchased signs for the trailheads, stickers for the trail markers and alternative route signs. 

It was a tremendous effort - but all-in-all it has been a great experience for our club, its volunteers, and our BLM and FS partners.  All are proud of the trail we have created.  We had the grand opening in October 2020.

Click here for more photos.

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"Diplomacy is letting someone else have your way." - David Frost