Help Protect Famous Colorado Singletrack

Mountain bikers still have time to submit comments to help preserve access to some of Colorado's most famous trails. The Pike and San Isabel (PSI) National Forests are accepting initial public feedback until March 30.

At stake are epic rides like the Monarch Crest Trail, Buffalo Creek, sections of the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, and numerous trails near Colorado Springs, Salida, Leadville, and Pueblo.

The PSI is initiating a forest management plan revision process and is considering a variety of topics, including recreation. New policies created in the forest plan revision process will be in place for 15-20 years, making your input extremely important. Additional public collaboration opportunities will arise in the next year or two, but your comments now will lay the groundwork for the rest of this important process.

Mountain bikers need to speak up for continued access to their favorite trails.

Comment cards are available online and take only a few minutes to complete.

Please mail, fax or hand deliver your comment card to any ranger district office on the PSI before March 30. For a list of locations and contact information, click here.

The PSI is requesting specific feedback on three primary questions:

1. The What: Considering what you know of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests (that may be related to places, resources, or topics of interest), a) what about the Forests do you think is working well and requires no change, and b) what about the Forests do you think should change?

2. The Why: Why should these remain the same or why should they be considered for future change?

3. The Where: Where are places that exemplify the issues raised in 1 and 2?

Additional talking points include:

* Please retain bicycle access to existing routes (include the above list of trails in this email)

* Please manage mountain bicycling trails and the areas around them in a manner that preserves our backcountry experience.

* Trail restrictions due to environmental concerns should be applied to all non-motorized groups. A growing scientific consensus has shown the impacts of mountain bicycling to be similar to hiking and far less than horse or OHV use.

* Mountain bicyclists support shared-use trails that build a community of trail users.

* Local mountain bicycling clubs donate many volunteer hours annually to help maintain and construct trails.