The Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) is a grassroots, 100 percent volunteer group, composed of Colorado motorcycle trail riders. The Alliance has formed a 501c3 organization to preserve single track trails in Colorado and to inform the public about issues facing our sport. The TPA is associated with the Colorado 500, Rocky Mountain events, and Colorado Off- Highway Vehicle Organization (COHVCO).

If you review the Forest Service (FS) Forest Plans (FP) and Travel Management Plan (TMP) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plan (RMP), you will see that during each planning cycle the FS and BLM have systematically reduced or eliminated many off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation opportunities. This is especially evident in the area of motorized single-track routes. When these actions are combined with increased demand for OHV recreation and the steady increase if sales of off road vehicles (motorcycles, ATV’s, SUV’s), the result is fewer areas in which to ride coupled with more riders utilizing the reduced area. This problem is evident in Gunnison National
Forest (GNF) and the Taylor Park area. Taylor Park is one of the few areas in the state that supports a series of single track and two-track areas. THE ENTIRE AREA IS OVERUSED BECAUSE ALL SURROUNDING NATIONAL FORESTS HAVE CLOSED LARGE PORTIONS OF OHV RECREATION AREAS. The result is the overuse of the Taylor Park area, resulting in terrain damage and other user conflicts.

A total Forest Service re-evaluation of OHV recreation is needed immediately for the entire state of Colorado. Seemingly there is a lack of coordination in the NF Region headquarters, except for accelerated development of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
This project is being completed with no coordination between districts and forests. The GNF is also considering closing a trail that connects Pike San Isabel National Forest (PSINF) for motorized vehicle recreation.

The combination of these issues along with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and Colorado Trail’s desire to make current motorized routes non-motorized routes, presents a bleak future for motorized vehicle recreation.

The TPA is working with COHVCO and national organizations supporting motorized vehicle recreation to correct the imbalance of off-highway opportunities in Colorado. The Alliance is facing a difficult task due to the size and influence of the groups wanting to eliminate OHV recreation in the National Forests. However, the TPA is making an effort.