Envision Chaffee County

A future built on Common Ground

Recreation in Balance

Managing the impacts of growth in outdoor recreation

The Chaffee Recreation Council presents the Chaffee County Outdoor Recreation Management Plan, to protect our community’s natural resources, maintain exceptional outdoor experiences and sustain the economic benefits of tourism. Our stunning landscapes contribute significantly to quality of life as access to beautiful and rejuvenating public lands is the main reason many of us choose to call this place home.

Broad initiatives outlined in the plan help manage the impacts of growing outdoor use to Keep it Clean, Keep it Fun, Keep it Wild and Keep it Going into the future. Fourteen new staff were added to help manage recreation in 2021, and more than $3 million was invested for new infrastructure and maintenance on public lands and within our towns. Find out about this year’s projects and programs that address the plan’s objectives by watching the video below and viewing the 2021-22 Annual Report to the Community.

Slide 1
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Keep it Clean
We will clean up overused campsites and slow site growth to ensure high-quality, low-impact camping opportunities across the county
We will get the right infrastructure because seeing trash and stepping in human or dog pooh is gross! Keeping a clean house means developing restrooms, trash disposal and other necessities in the right places to ensure a healthy environment and clean fun into the future
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Slide 2
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Keep it Fun
We will invest in popular near-town assets because trails with maintenance, signs and in-town connections, good fishing, water park features, low-elevation motorized trails, and trailhead parking are appreciated by residents and visitors alike.
We will create new programs that support education and enforcement with more agency staff and by empowering volunteers
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Slide 3
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Keep it Wild
We will support wildlife populations by mapping critical habitat to focus improvements in the right areas and inform voluntary seasonal restriction strategies to give wildlife a break
We will support the agricultural sector challenged by impacts to operations as recreation use grows
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Slide 4
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Keep it Going
We will work together to raise new funding for critical infrastructure and ongoing maintenance
We will emphasize the importance of a shared recreation culture that protects natural resources to keep our lands clean, fun and wild for years to come
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View the plan today!

The Chaffee Rec Council worked with public land managers and the community to deliver a plan designed to maintain healthy public lands, the quality of outdoor experiences, and the economic benefits of recreation tourism.

Learn More

Volunteers invited to ‘Adopt’ public lands

Chaffee Rec Adopters program targets growing visitation with sign-up map and advanced mobile app. 

SIGN UP!

Envision task force brings solutions to recreation areas

The Recreation Taskforce is open to everyone to help advise and implement new strategies and programs. Meets on first Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m.

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“I want to engage and help us grow. Without being intentional and planning for recreation impacts, there could be some threats to our way of life.”

— Salida Recreation Director Diesel Post, Chaffee Recreation Council member

Program Leadership

Envision Recreation in Balance is driven by the community, including leaders from outdoor businesses, natural resource agencies, nonprofit organizations, local government and recreation enthusiasts. The Chaffee Recreation Council is convened by the Board of County Commissioners to implement the Chaffee Recreation Plan.

Leadership Partners

  • USFS Salida Ranger District
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA)
  • Envision Chaffee County

Chaffee Recreation Council

  • Andrea Carlstrom – Director, Chaffee County Public Health
  • Ben Lara – USFS Salida District, Recreation Program Manager
  • Brian Berger – Poncha Springs Town Manager
  • Brady Everett – Everett Ranch, Citizen representing agriculture
  • Diesel Post – City of Salida, Recreation Director
  • Earl Richmond – City of Buena Vista, Recreation Director
  • Cindy Williams – Envision Co-Chair, facilitator
  • Chuck Cichowitz – Owner Noah’s Ark and representing outfitters
  • Dominique Naccarato – ED GARNA and representing conservation organizations
  • Greg Felt – County Commissioner
  • Bryan Lamont – CPW Wildlife Biologist
  • Jeff Post – Owner First Colorado Land Office, Chaffee County Economic Development Corp.
  • Sean Shepherd – CPW Area Manager
  • Emily Olsen – National Forest Foundation
  • Jennifer Fenwick – National Forest Foundation
  • Jim Fiorelli – USFS Leadville District, Recreation Program Manager
  • Perry Edwards – USFS Salida District Ranger
  • Kalem Lenard – BLM Royal Gorge Field Office Assistant Field Manager (Salida) 
  • Keith Baker – County Commissioner
  • Laurie Roberts – ED Salida Chamber of Commerce
  • Patrick Mercer –  USFS Leadville District Ranger
  • Rick Hum – Citizen
  • Tom Waters – AHRA Park Manager

Engaged Stakeholder Groups

  • Buena Vista Recreation Department
  • Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition
  • Buena Vista Trails Advisory Board 
  • Central Colorado Mountain Riders
  • Colorado Off Road Enterprise (CORE)
  • Chaffee County Office of Housing
  • Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
  • Colorado Mountain Club
  • Colorado Trail Foundation
  • Continental Divide Trail Coalition 
  • Friends of Browns Canyon
  • National Forest Foundation
  • Quiet Use Coalition 
  • Salida Mountain Trails
  • Skikers Hiking Club
  • Southwest Conservation Corps 
  • Salida-area Parks Open Space & Trails (SPOT) 
  • Salida Recreation Advisory Board
  • Town of Salida Recreation Department 
  • Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited
  • Upper Arkansas Wilderness Volunteers 
  • Friends of Fourmile
  • Western State Colorado University 
  • Trackem Outfitters
  • Noah’s Ark Rafting & Adventure Co.
  • USFS Salida District
  • USFS Leadville District
  • BLM Canyon City Field Office
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
  • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA)
  • County of Chaffee
  • City of Poncha Springs
  • Central Colorado Conservancy
  • Greater Arkansas River Nature Association
  • City of Salida
  • City of Buena Vista
  • Mesa State College
  • Colorado Mountain College
  • Chaffee County Economic Development Coalition (CCEDC)
  • Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at CSU
  • Rocky Mountain Research Station
  • Rocky Mountain Jeep Rentals
  • First Colorado Land Office
  • Chaffee County Visitors Bureau
  • Huddle for the Environment
  • CSU Pueblo
  • Western State University, Gunnison
  • Colorado State Land Board 
  • Chaffee County Weed Department
  • Everett Beef
  • Lake County Board of County Commissioners
  • Colorado Fire Camp 
  • Chaffee Fire Protection District

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