Introduction
Off-highway motorcycle (OHM) recreation offers enthusiasts a unique opportunity to explore nature, culture, history, wildlife viewing, and the landscape of Colorado. Over the past three decades public lands in Colorado have seen riding opportunities, specifically trail riding, diminish as federal land planning processes, such as Resource Management Plans (RMP) and/or Travel Management Planning (TMP), have either closed or changed the designations of numerous routes and trails that were historically used for recreational trail riding. To better understand the current opportunities and establish a vision for the future of riding in Colorado, the Trails Preservation Alliance created the Colorado Off-Highway Trail Opportunity Plan (COTOP). The plan is not meant to be a comprehensive solution, but a general strategy to improve off-highway motorcycling in Colorado.
COTOP is an inventory of the current trail systems enabling the establishment of a baseline to strategically plan for trail riding opportunities in Colorado. The plan shows where existing motorcycle riding areas and opportunities are, compares motorized to non-motorized opportunities and also demonstrates where opportunities and constraints exist based on land management designations.
Project Goal and Objectives
Identify existing opportunities and long-term improvements to trails, routes and infrastructure that facilitates off-highway motorcycle (OHM) recreation in Colorado. The primary objectives of this plan are to:
- Create more miles of multiple-use, motorized single-track trails
- Connect existing motorized trails and trail systems
- Diversify riding experiences
- Create recreation sites for training and practice riding
- Improve public information on riding areas (locations, difficulty, expanse, etc.)
Issue
Colorado’s population is greater than it ever has been and still growing. Simultaneously we have less opportunities (roads and trails) to accommodate this rising demand. Often we hear the argument that Colorado has an overuse issue but from our perspective the issue is not one of over use, it’s an issue of over-concentration.
Some of the issues leading to a need for this plan include:
- There is no strategic plan for OHM in Colorado. The last known plan was created by the State of Colorado in 1981
- Travel Management Planning (TMP) and other policies on Federal Lands have provided very limited access for OHM riding over the past three decades.
- Some OHM single-track (ST) trails have been converted to all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) trails by users or through the TMP process.
- Colorado’s population is growing while riding opportunities have been steadily shrinking. This has created a need for more and improved riding opportunities to help disperse use.
- There is a lack of trails to accommodate a variety of skill levels; especially beginners and intermediates, including training areas to practice, build skills, and learn riding ethics.
- Access to multiple-use motorized single-track is predominantly in remote areas of the state limiting access to them from major population areas.
- The tradition of off-highway motorcycle riding is being displaced. Preserving this form of outdoor recreation is important to current and future residents and visitors.
Who
The plan was prepared for the Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) by Great Outdoors Adventures (GOA). As Colorado’s leading advocate for OHM recreation, the TPA sponsored the development and production of COTOP. Funding for the project was provided entirely by the TPA via one generous off-highway motorcycle enthusiast from Colorado. Finally, in order to get information from enthusiasts around the state, the TPA gathered input from motorcycle club leaders at the Annual TPA Partner Club meeting in April 2023 and incorporated it into the plan.
Inventory & Analysis
Off-Highway Motorcycle Riding Destinations, Types & Experiences
Existing information from Stay the Trail (STT) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) GIS data was used to map current OHM areas & routes around the State. COTREX is state-wide data representing recreation sites, trails and roads from private, local, state, and federal land management agencies. COTREX does have limited gaps in data for some areas where the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has not released their recreational route information. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) & Colorado State University land management GIS data was also used to map opportunities and constraints. TPA and GOA staff used their extensive consulting, inventory and riding expertise to analyze riding opportunities and resources.
Off-Highway Motorcycle Destinations
Stay the Trail Colorado has identified primary locations to ride off-highway motorcycles around the state. The following map shows these locations (green dots) and the trail systems with significant miles of single-track (ST) off-highway motorcycle trails (red shaded areas). These trail systems also often combine ATV trails and roads as part of the local trail network. Note these trail systems are primarily located in the western part of the State, a significant distance from the large population base of the Front Range.
Motocross Tracks & Youth Practice Areas
Most forms of outdoor recreation require practice and training to educate users, participate safely and build skills. There are a few locations in Colorado with motocross tracks and designed youth/beginner practices areas:
- Leadville
- Moffat Moto
- Dry Lake (Gypsum)
- Rampart
- Peach Valley
- Grand Junction
- Big Bend
- Hartman Rocks
- Tenderfoot Track
Open and Trials Riding Areas
Open (no designated routes/cross-country travel allowed) and trials (riding over obstacles such as rock and not on designated trails) riding areas are extremely limited in Colorado. A few of these include:
Open Riding
- North Sand Hills
- Sand Wash
- Grand Valley
- Peach Valley
Trials Riding
- Turkey Rock
- Hartman Rocks (limited areas)
Adventure Riding
While not the focus of COTOP, many trail riding enthusiasts also participate in Adventure Riding (ADV) as another type of OHM recreation. ADV riding involves riding on mixed routes; dirt roads, trails, streets and highways. Adventure motorcycles are the fastest growing segment of the motorcycle industry and adventure touring is expected to continue to grow with it. Colorado is considered to be one of the premier places for adventure touring worldwide and is the most popular Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) in the country according to their 2023 Economic Impact Study. Currently there are three well known interstate touring routes and many more routes riders have created on their own (not shown on the map).
Below are the three most popular Colorado ADV routes:
- Continental Divide Trail (CDT) – 350 miles
- Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) – 965 miles
- Trans-America Trail (TAT) – 474 miles
Off-Highway Motorcycle Trails
These are off-highway motorcycle trails & trail systems considered to be significant destination riding areas in Colorado.
- Taylor Park
- Rico-Dolores
- Rampart
- Sargents
- South Fork/Del Norte
- Uncompahgre Plateau
- Grand Junction
- Peach Valley
- Rainbow Trail
- Rand/Grand Lake
- Grizzly – Helena
- Lake San Isabel
Comparison of Trail Types & Miles
The following information was gathered to understand the relative difference in recreational opportunities (miles) of trail types in Colorado. This data shows far fewer multiple-use, motorized single-track trails in Colorado than any other type of trail. Local, State and Federal land management agencies have not made the creation, conservation or expansion of motorized multiple-use, single-track trail opportunities a priority.
This data represents managed system trails in the COTREX database as of 2021.
Single-Track Motorcycle Trails
There are 2,273 miles of multi-use motorized single-track trails in Colorado. Out of these, 558 miles have seasonal closure restrictions, leaving 1,715 miles available for year-round use.
Graphic: All-year vs seasonal (seasonal = trails closed by federal & state agency regulations.)
ATV Trails
There are 2,417 miles of ATV trails in Colorado. Out of these, 290 miles have seasonal closure restrictions, leaving 2,127 miles available for year-round use.
note: ATV trails are classified as 50 inches or less in width.
Single-Track Motorcycle & ATV (< 50”) Trails Compared
There are 4,691 total miles of single-track motorcycle and ATV trails in Colorado. Of those miles, there are 2,417 (52%) are ATV and 2,273 (48%) single-track motorcycle.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Roads
OHV roads are considered to be dirt/gravel roads open to all vehicles. These are roads managed by the US Forest Service, BLM, and some County Roads. OHV roads are important routes for long-distance adventure riding and provide connectivity between single-track OHM trails. However, OHV roads are NOT the desired recreation experience for single-track OHM specific riding.
There are 25,216 miles of OHV roads in Colorado. Out of these, 8,048 miles have seasonal closure restrictions, leaving 17,168 miles available for year-round use.
Off-Highway Motorcycle, ATV (< 50”) and Non-Motorized Trails Compared
The following table and maps show the huge discrepancy in the distribution and miles of recreation trails provided for motorized versus non-motorized trails in Colorado.
There are 28,351 miles total trail miles available to recreationists in Colorado. Of those trails – 23,661 miles are designated as non-motorized trails, 2,417 are designated ATV trails and just 2,273 are designated as single-track motorcycle trails.
Note that while non-motorized trail users have 23,661 miles that are specifically for that use, they are also able to utilize the singletrack and ATV trails as well – meaning that all 28,351 miles (100%) of trails are available to non-motorized use.
Motorized Trails
The following map illustrates, with the highlighted red areas, all designated system trails open to motorized use in Colorado based on 2021 Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) data.
Land Management Suitability
Land ownership and management designations have a significant influence on the suitability and availability of the land for OHM riding opportunities. Government agencies have created many types of land use “zoning”, designations and other regulations that limited motorized recreation. While there is a significant amount of public lands in Colorado, more than 70% of lands are private, tribal, or “other” public lands which are partially or fully closed to OHM use and recreation. The following list, table and map show which lands are constrained and areas for future OHM riding opportunities.
Opportunity Areas
- Open National Forest (light green)
- Open BLM Lands (orange)
- State Forest State Park (blue)
Constrained Areas
- Rural Private & Tribal Land – constrained but not closed (white)
- USFS Roadless Areas – constrained but not closed (dark green)
- State Trust Lands (red) – these may already be leased for would require a new lease
Areas Closed to OHM Recreation (red areas):
- Wilderness
- Wilderness Study Area
- National Park
- Wildlife Refuge
- State Park
- State Wildlife Areas
- National Monument
- BLM ACEC
- Military Lands
- Local Open Space
- Protected Watersheds
- Natural Areas
- City Parks
- County Parks
- Conservation Easements
- Urban/Suburban Private Lands
Acres of each Category of Opportunity/Constrained Lands in Colorado
OHV Friendly Counties
The following map shows the Counties who have interest, programs, some County roads open to OHVs, or are looking into OHV recreation opportunities as of 2021:
Off-Highway Motorcycle Recreation Opportunities
The following is a list of improvements and new opportunities based on the inventories and information we have shared above. Additionally, over 26 TPA-affiliated clubs across Colorado have contributed localized information and recommendations.
Off-Highway Motorcycle Trails
- Provide more multiple-use, motorized single-track trail miles overall, but especially close to the Front Range and other population centers and communities throughout the State
- Establish trails connecting existing multiple-use, motorized single-track trail systems together and develop looped routes.
- Create more variety of single-track trails in key locations
- More beginner to easy trails for youth and people looking for less challenge
- Advanced skills level trail and trail sections
- Trails with significant elevation change and more opportunities to explore alpine zones
- Creek crossings
- Rock challenges
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter/Spring season options during mud season & closure periods
- In strategic areas, convert some roads to multiple-use, motorized single-track trails to create new opportunities, reduce the footprint of the route and reduce the type/season of access
- Create at least one State-significant multiple-use, single-track trail connecting trail systems and communities This would be similar to the Paiute ATV Trail in Utah or the Sierra Buttes Connecting Communities trails system in California.
Practice & Training Areas
- Build youth & beginner training-practice areas in key locations, especially close to population areas
- Create new OHV parks managed by Counties or the State. These could be on local or Federal lands.
Information, Education & Promotion
- Provide maps and a web page information to specifically promote off-highway motorcycle riding.
- Use tourist information centers to distribute OHM information
- Consider partnering with rural resorts and guest ranches to provide information, services, designed trails, events, and access to public trails in remote locations. Clubs could collaborate with these properties and bring economic benefits to rural communities.
Conceptual Strategic Plan Map
The map below is a “conceptual” vision of what the TPA and affiliated clubs across Colorado identified as opportunities to improve Off-Highway Motorcycle recreation across the state including;
- More single-track trails close to Front Range, Eastern Colorado & other population areas
- Advanced and beginner skill level trails in a variety of locations
- Youth & beginner training-practice areas in key locations
- Trails connecting existing single-track trail systems together & loop routes
- New OHV parks
- Conversion of roads to trails and trails to single-track trails when appropriate.
