Trails System & Conservation Plan - Envision Chaffee County

Creating a fun & sustainable trails system for Chaffee County

Trails are a lifeline to the outdoors in Chaffee County, providing positive experiences for residents and visitors alike. The system is at the heart of our quality of life and economy, as trails provide access to the natural beauty we all love.

Developing the Trails System & Conservation Plan presents an opportunity to consider how to enhance natural resources — healthy forests, thriving wildlife, clean water and vibrant landscapes — as we design an exceptional and sustainable trails system for this and future generations.

PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: The first public input meeting is on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. Participants will work in small facilitated groups to view maps of trails and trail conditions, help determine community priorities in areas of interest, and identify critical needs related to environmental protections, maintenance, accessibility, connectivity and more. We hope to see you there!

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Thoughtful trails planning with conservation in mind

The facilitated planning process will create a strategic plan to conserve natural resources while providing a spectrum of outdoor recreation experiences across all lands countywide. The plan will consider:

Trailheads, trails, access corridors & parking
Restrooms & dog waste stations
Erosion mitigation
Critical wildlife habitat
Agricultural operations

The Trails System & Conservation Plan builds on the 2021 Chaffee County Outdoor Recreation Management Plan, which sets a priority to protect the exceptional forests, waters and wildlife that make Chaffee County such a special place to live and visit. The plan also:

Identifies opportunities for new trails and related infrastructure
Coordinates with federal land management agencies and local governments
Uses the Planning for Wildlife Map as a decision tool
Focuses on summer use and excludes snow-based recreation
Does not replace mandated federal agency permitting
Is facilitated by Tapis Associates of Colorado Springs, which provides a set of planning Givens for participants’ agreement.
The process includes set Roles & Relationships as well as a Planning Process Schedule.

“By holistically planning new trails and improvements to existing ones, we can ensure the entire system will be sustainably managed to improve user experience and protect natural resource health.”

— Jon Terbush, Salida Mountain Trails Executive Director & planning leader

Planning Process Leadership

Outdoor recreation management in Chaffee County is driven by the community, including leaders from outdoor businesses, natural resource agencies, nonprofit organizations, local government and recreation enthusiasts. The participants below serves as a subcommittee to the Chaffee Recreation Council, which leads implementation of the Chaffee County Outdoor Recreation Management Plan.