710 10th Street • Golden, CO 80401 • 303.279.3080 • www.cmc.org
September 30, 2020
Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program 13787 S. Hwy 85 Littleton, CO, 80125
State Trails Grant Review Committee:
The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) is pleased to submit the enclosed application for the South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute project. Funding from the State Trails grant will allow us to partner with the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Trail Foundation and other local partners to complete a critical 3-mile re-route and rehabilitation project on this popular non-motorized trail.
Founded in 1912, the Colorado Mountain Club is the largest as well as the oldest recreation and conservation organization in Colorado, boasting a membership of over 7,000. The mission of the Club is to gather and disseminate information regarding Colorado’s mountain environments; to furnish facilities for the enjoyment and study of the mountains by the Club members and the public; and to advocate for the preservation of alpine regions. The Club has local groups throughout Colorado, and our members spend a great deal of time recreating on public lands.
The Colorado Trail is an iconic outdoor recreation amenity in our state and the South Fooses segment provides incredible hiking, mountain biking and equestrian opportunities. Unfortunately the top section of this route is in severe disrepair and the current conditions are causing safety issues for users and resource damage to surrounding natural resources. The Salida Ranger District approached CMC Conservation staff this summer with a request to review the proposed re-route and provide management and technical support for this complex project. Our staff have decades of experience in trail maintenance, design and construction and we are excited to fill a gap in capacity for the forest service and other land managers on projects like this. CMC Staff will provide project oversight, re-route design, and crew management to ensure project quality while also serving as fiscal sponsor and grant administrator for the project. Additionally, CMC’s Stewardship Crews will complete 4 weeks of work on the South Fooses trail where technical skill is needed to supplement youth corps crews and contracted trail crews.
CMC is committed to working with the Forest Service to secure the matching funds required to successfully complete these project over the next two years. Funding applications with Great Outdoors Colorado and the National Forest Foundation are pending, the Forest Service has already pledged in-kind staff time, and the Colorado Trail Foundation will help to engage volunteer in-kind contributions.
We are excited to partner with the Salida Ranger District and fill a much-needed gap in capacity and complete this high priority trail maintenance project. Please contact Julie Mach (CMC Conservation Director – [email protected]) with specific questions regarding this request. Thank you for your consideration,
Matt Stevens CMC Board President EXHIBIT A
MAINTENANCE GRANT APPLICATION CHECK LIST (Return this completed form with your application)
MANDATORY:
Signed letter of resolution from Governing Body that includes resources/support committed to the project Exhibit A – Application Exhibit B – Budget (Unprotected Excel CPW form) Environmental Forms
Maps/Photos/Graphics [Separate PDF document(s)] DO NOT combine with application
Letters of Support (maximum of 5). No letters from clubs, groups or individuals specifically working on the project.
Project should be completed within 2.5 years from receiving grant. Required MATCH funding is secured, including CASH match funds.
CPW Area Manager was contacted about the project by September 8th and applicant has discussed the project with them. Note: ALL projects will be reviewed by CPW for wildlife impacts.
Project area is owned by public land agency or has easement that designates the area to be open to public outdoor recreation for at least 25 years.
Formal Environmental Assessment (EA) or NEPA has been completed with final approval for the project area (federal lands only, include link to EA).
Construction projects have been evaluated for required permits and if required, permits have been acquired (404 permit, etc.).
ADDITIONAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS: Youth Corps or youth organization will be used on the project (Southwest Conservation Corps).
Volunteers will be utilized on the project (Colorado Trail Foundation). EXHIBIT A
NON-MOTORIZED MAINTENANCE APPLICATION Applicant or Organization Name: Complete Mailing Address: Applicant Lead Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact for Telephone: Email: this grant: YES NO OFFICIAL USE ONLY – DUNS # (IF REQUIRED): PROJECT MANAGER (this person will have day-to-day responsibility for the project) Name: Telephone: Email:
PRIMARY PARTNER INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE) Name: Mailing Address:
Partner Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact for Telephone: Email: this grant: YES NO
ABOUT THE PROJECT Project Title: Grant Request: $ Match Amount (Min. 30%): $ Total Project Cost: $ Project Description: Write a 2-3 paragraph description of your project and the expected accomplishments. Be sure to include Who, What, When and Where. This is your scope of work. (This section is not the place to talk about the project background, the benefits, the funding, or anything other than the actual work to be accomplished. Please address this information in question #1 of the Selection Criteria.)
WHO? Who will complete the work and who will oversee the project? Provide a brief description of your community or organization, highlighting its mission and purpose.
WHAT? Explain what you are going to do or accomplish. What is the goal or the reason for your project? Break down the project into a list of specific activities to be completed. These should be quantifiable items that correspond to the categories on your budget page. Include quantity or quality as part of your description of work to be performed. How long? How many? How many feet? How many miles? What materials will be used? Is a specific standard or guideline being used?
WHERE? Explain in detail the location of your project. Where is the project located? What county? What are the nearby towns? What National Forest/ BLM Field Office? Provide the names of the trail(s) or trail system and where the work will be performed. List the land manager agency or municipality.
DEFINITIONS? Please define all acronyms and specialized terms that are used in your project description. EXHIBIT A
Project Description
Previous CPW grants awarded (last 3 years) List award year, category and project name LAND OWNERSHIP 1. Provide the name/s of the property owners: 2. The trail corridor is controlled by: Fee Simple Lease Easement License Right-of-Way Other: USER INFORMATION (Please check all that apply) Hiking Motorcycling Equestrian
Walking Four-Wheeling ADA Accessible
Running All-Terrain Vehicle Paddling
Skateboarding Snowmobiling Other
In-Line Skating Snowshoeing Other
Biking X-Country Skiing Other TRAIL SURFACE Asphalt Concrete Other
Natural Crusher Fines Other PROJECT LOCATION (For multiple project sites attach a separate list.) Nearest Town or City:
County:
Latitude & Longitude Coordinates (in decimal degrees):
State Congressional District (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members): CO-5
Please fill out all the applicable categories for your project:
Acreage of new trailhead Miles of trail being planned
Miles of new trail construction Miles of trail maintenance
Miles of inter-connecting trail Miles of trail reroute
Miles of trail to be decommissioned Miles of trail to be restored
Miles of trail to be signed Miles of trail grooming
Other Other
Applicant Authorized Signature: ______Date: ______(From Applicant Organization)
Land Agency Authorized Signature: ______Date: ______(From project location land agency, if different from applicant) EXHIBIT A
TIMELINE
Provide a timeline estimate using the following form. Remember that the project is to be completed within two and a half years of the award date. Any proposed changes, including extensions or modifications in the project timeline, must be requested in writing and approved in advance by the State Trails Program.
PRELIMINARY TIMELINE ESTIMATE
Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- TASK Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec 2021 2021 2022 2022 2022 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 Project Initiation
Mobilization
Maintenance Phase
Administrative Close-Out Grand Opening EXHIBIT A
MAINTENANCE GRANT SCORING CRITERIA
All applicants must respond to the following selection criteria questions in ten pages or less. Use the numbered blank pages at the end of this section. This application will be scored on a 100-point basis. The maximum number of points that can be awarded for each question is shown in parentheses. Outside reviewers and State Trails staff will review each project. Projects will be ranked according to reviewer and staff scores.
Grant review subcommittee members review and score grant applications based on the totality of information available. This may include not only the answers provided to the application questions, but also additional information provided to the review subcommittee from agency staff and subcommittee member knowledge and information that is relevant to the proposed project.
Failure to provide a response to any question (unless otherwise noted) will reduce your project’s score. Please read and understand all application questions prior to answering. Respond in 12-point font. Reference all attachments.
SCOPE (15 Points Total)
1. Describe the proposed project including the length/width of trail maintenance, any major components necessary to complete the trail such as maintenance materials, under/overpasses, bridges, trail heads, trail sections that will be maintained, number of maintenance features, etc. – describe exactly what will be maintained and/or built. Discuss the ownership status of the trail corridor and any easements or land acquisitions that have been acquired for the trail. Address each trail component separately, specifically mentioning its characteristics. Describe the state of the existing trail, why it is no longer acceptable, and how it has arrived at its current condition it is in. Have trail reroute options been considered for current on-the-ground unsustainable trails and trail sections in the project area? If so, describe the length and distance of the reroute and the relationship to the existing corridor. Are there plans to decommission and/or restore these unsustainable trail sections? Briefly discuss how this project maintains trail loops, links, or improves and/or restores trail use and connectivity to other trails, park areas, outdoor recreation opportunities, and/or other public recreation and community centers. Please include a few site photos and a map of the area.
NEED (15 Points)
2. Describe why this maintenance project is important at this time (resource damage, user safety, increased trail usage, etc.) and how this project will meet those needs. What is the Operations and Maintenance plan for the project area? Describe how the project will be maintained and managed for long-term sustainability. Describe the community this project will serve and provide population and economic data. Discuss the significance of the trail segment to users. List each user group and estimate their percentage of overall trail use, e.g., bicyclists – 40%, hikers – 50%, equestrian – 10%). How did you arrive at those estimates? Describe the project’s urgency. Why are CPW State Trails funds necessary to complete this project? What opportunities are lost if the grant is not awarded? EXHIBIT A
PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY (45 Points Total)
3. Planning and Prioritization Process (15 points) Discuss why this is being pursued at this time. What best management practices were used during the planning process to ensure that the trail and its amenities will be sustainable? What design practices were used to ensure that the project will meet current and future use levels? How were wildlife and natural resource impacts addressed in the planning process? Have CPW wildlife specialists provided input or consultation on this project?
4. Financial Sustainability (15 points) Is this a multi-phased project, and if so, how many phases is it and how will future phases be funded? Has an Operations and Maintenance plan been developed for the project areas? If so, please explain the plan in detail. Estimate the annual costs to maintain the project. How did you derive at those numbers and how do you intend to fund long-term maintenance? Who will be responsible for maintenance? Will funds from the State Trails grant program be requested for this trail project in the future?
5. Wildlife and Natural Resources (15 points) How were CPW staff engaged in the planning process? How were impacts to wildlife and habitat evaluated, avoided, and/or minimized? What factors were considered to avoid large blocks of less disturbed sensitive environmental resources such as wildlife habitat or wetlands in the planning process? What aspects were considered to evaluate wildlife connectivity across the landscape and to avoid and/or minimize the potential for fragmentation?
PUBLIC COMMENT (10 points)
6. Public notification is mandatory for all projects. Projects without public involvement are not eligible for rating. What community collaboration has taken place to determine maintenance priorities (regular meetings, public meetings, working groups, etc )? How was it determined that this maintenance project is a priority for the land management agency and trail users? Describe the public planning process that identified the maintenance of this trail(s) as a priority. Summarize the feedback received from the public and how it was determined that your constituents want and will use the project. Has this project been deemed a priority by any other agencies or given any significant designations? Describe any received opposition to the project and how the concerns have been addressed.
EXHIBIT A
ABILITY (15 Points Total)
7. Matching Funds and Partnerships (10 points) Discuss partnerships established for this project and their contributions. Discuss the sources of matching funds. How much match is secured beyond the required 30%? How much of it is yet to be raised and what are your plans for raising those additional funds? Submit letters of commitment/support from landowners and/or funders as a separate attachment (resolution from the governing body should include support and resource commitment; a separate support letter is not required). Beyond these letters, you may submit up to 5 letters of non-funding support.
8. Contingency/Ability (5 points) What other funding sources have been dedicated or are anticipated to be dedicated to this project? Will applicant and/or partner funds be lost if State Trails funds are not awarded? If you are not awarded State Trails funding, what measures will be taken to complete the project? Describe your ability to complete the specific grant transaction(s) that will be necessary to accomplish this project. Please provide examples (if any) for grant projects of similar magnitude that demonstrate your ability to manage the requested level of grant funding; including the project title, grantor, award amount, and year the project was funded. Were the necessary reporting and closeout requirements completed in a timely manner? How well was it managed from your perspective?
EXHIBIT A
1. SCOPE (15 Points Total)
EXHIBIT A
2. NEED (15 Points)
EXHIBIT A
3. PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY (Planning and Prioritization Process) (15 points)
EXHIBIT A
4. PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY (Financial Sustainability) (15 points)
EXHIBIT A
5. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Wildlife and Natural Resources (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
6. (PUBLIC COMMENT) Public notification is mandatory for all projects (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
7. (ABILITY) Matching Funds and Partnerships (10 points)
EXHIBIT A
8. (ABILITY) Contingency/Ability (5 points)
Exhibit B Budget Form - Project Name: South Fooses Creek - CO Trail Reroute CPW Trails Date Total Project Total Funding SOURCE OF FUNDS Grant Request Secured Match [B] ($) [C] [A] CASH CPW State Trails Program Pending $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 National Forest Foundation 11/1/2020 $ 90,993.12 $ 90,993.12 GOCO Youth Corps Grant 12/31/2020 $ 35,920.00 $ 35,920.00 $ - IN-KIND US Forest Service Staff Time 10/1/2020 $ 15,100.00 $ 15,100.00 Colorado Trail Foundation Volunteer Time 10/1/2020 $ 13,056.00 $ 13,056.00 $ - $ - TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS $ 150,000.00 $ 155,069.12 $ 305,069.12
Total Project Total Funding Balance [should [CASH] Description of Work Qty Unit Unit Price Total (B*D) CPW Funds Match ($) ($) be 0] CATEGORY 1-Contracted Services Identify as: Youth Corps, Engineering, Contractor, etc. Professional Trail Contractor: stump removal & re-route construction (2 miles, 5-10 climbing turns) 10560 FT $ 12.50 $ 132,000.00 $ 80,000.00 $ 52,000.00 $ 132,000.00 0 Corridor Clearing by Profressional Timber Crew 8 Day $ 1,100.00 $ 8,800.00 $ 8,800.00 $ - $ 8,800.00 0 SCC Youth Corps Crew 8 Weeks $ 9,267.40 $ 74,139.20 $ 30,000.00 $ 44,139.20 $ 74,139.20 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 Category 2 - Salary/Wages
Colorado Mountain Club Project Coordinator - Reroute Design work and project supervision 500 Hours $ 40.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 12,800.00 $ 7,200.00 $ 20,000.00 0 Colorado Mountain Club Trail Crew 4 Weeks $ 4,200.00 $ 16,800.00 $ 8,400.00 $ 8,400.00 $ 16,800.00 0 $ - $ - 0 CATEGORY 3-Materials/Supplies Identify as: Signs, crusherfines, native seed, weed barrier, etc. $ - $ - 0 Additional Categories Overhead costs (insurance, administration, etc) 10% of subtotal 0.1 % $ 251,739.20 $ 25,173.92 $ 10,000.00 $ 15,173.92 $ 25,173.92 0 $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - 0 USE OF FUNDS - CASH SUBTOTAL $ 150,000.00 $ 126,913.12 $ 276,913.12 $ -
Total Funding Balance [should [IN-KIND] Description of Work Qty Unit Unit Price Total (B*D) ($) be 0] Category 1 - Contracted Services $ - $ - $ - 0 Category 2 - Salary/Wages USFS Recreation & Lands Officer 14 Day $ 400.00 $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 $ 5,600.00 0 USFS Trails Manager 20 Day $ 250.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 Category 3 - Materials/Tools USFS Supplies (Tools, E-Bikes, etc) 1 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 Additional Categories USFS Vehicles for Staff Travel 1 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00 0 CTF Volunteer Events 480 Hours $ 27.20 $ 13,056.00 $ 13,056.00 $ 13,056.00 0 $ - $ - $ - 0 IN-KIND SUBTOTAL $ 28,156.00 $ 28,156.00
TOTAL PROJECT COST $ 150,000.00 $ 155,069.12 $ 305,069.12 30% REQUIRED MATCH $ 45,000.00
Exhibit B Page 1 of 1 Maps & Photos South Fooses Creek - Colorado Trail Reroute
Vicinity Map
The South Fooses Trail is located on the Salida Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, CO, just south of Highway 50 on the east side of Monarch Pass. Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Area Map 1
The South Fooses Trail connects to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail 5 miles southeast of Monarch Pass. The re-route, shown in blue, will replace the top section of fall-line trail with a more sustainable alignment.
Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Area Map 2
The South Fooses re-route, shown in blue, will replace the top section of trail with a more sustainable descent. The existing segment of trail, shown in yellow will be closed and rehabilitated to repair and prevent additional resource damage.
Maps & Photos South Fooses Creek - Colorado Trail Reroute
Vicinity Map
The South Fooses Trail is located on the Salida Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest near Salida, CO, just south of Highway 50 on the east side of Monarch Pass. Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Area Map 1
The South Fooses Trail connects to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail 5 miles southeast of Monarch Pass. The re-route, shown in blue, will replace the top section of fall-line trail with a more sustainable alignment.
Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Area Map 2
The South Fooses re-route, shown in blue, will replace the top section of trail with a more sustainable descent. The existing segment of trail, shown in yellow will be closed and rehabilitated to repair and prevent additional resource damage.
Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Photo Log South Fooses Creek Trail Relocation Project
Wet and Dry erosion on trail as it drops off the CDNST
Creek and trail become the same in the spring and during storms causing negative impacts to the Fooses Creek Drainage and wetlands.
Creek and trail become the same in the spring and during storms causing negative impacts to the Fooses Creek Drainage and wetlands. Maps & Photos South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Wet and Dry erosion on trail as it drops off the CDNST
Erosion is approximately 4 ft. in depth.
719-539-9295
Dear State Trail Grant Committee,
We are pleased to support the South Fooses (Colorado Trail) Reroute grant proposal from the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). We understand CMC is partnering with the US Forest Service, Salida Ranger District and the Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) to complete a 3 mile reroute on a section of the Colorado Trail. This reroute will help address some long-standing deferred maintenance the Salida Ranger District has been wanting to accomplish for over a decade. CMC will be the project lead on this large- scale project and has the right level of experience and trail knowledge to oversee such a complex project. The reroute itself will accomplish the decommissioning of a section of unsustainable, fall-line trail; causing damage to the natural environment. When completed this new reroute will provide a safe, non-motorized trail experience for locals and visitors to Chaffee County. In Chaffee County we are fortunate to have such an amazing recreational resource in the Colorado Trail. It is important the we take care of this resource and we believe this reroute will ensure safe, quality recreational experiences for all users well into the future. We highly encourage you to fund the 2020 CMC/USFS/CTF South Fooses Trail Project in 2021.
Thank you,
Shawn Gillis Absolute Bikes
Tue, Sept 29, 2020
Colorado State Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program 13787 S. Hwy 85 Littleton, CO 80125
Re: South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute
Dear State Trails Grant Committee,
Through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), The Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) is the primary organization that builds and maintains The Colorado Trail (CT) between Denver and Durango, all 567 miles. We organize the volunteers and do the trail work. Attending to this mission of stewardship of the CT, we know what an effort it takes to care for trail systems on National Forest lands.
For well over a decade, the CTF has helped the Salida Ranger District work toward the subject project. We are pleased to support this grant proposal by the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), in partnership with the USFS Salida Ranger District, the CTF, and others to complete the needed, sustainable, 3-mile reroute on this Segment 15 of The Colorado Trail. This reroute will take the place of the steepest and least maintainable section of the CT, as the current alignment approaches a 40% grade and is unsustainable fall-line trail that is presents undue risk to users and causing damage to the natural environment. Benefits of the reroute include:
• Safer for users including better sight lines and wider tread • Gentler grade with proper drainage to improve sustainability and reduce annual maintenance • More enjoyable experience for all allowed user groups
It will be good to have the CMC as project lead given their key personnel are local to the area and have the right level of experience and trail knowledge to oversee such a project. The CTF also has a local representative, our Field Operations Manager, who (as needed) will contribute trail layout expertise, oversight of the high-standard CTF volunteer work with 2-3 weeklong crews of ten or more each construction season, and ongoing maintenance through our CTF adopter program. When completed this new reroute will provide a safe, non-motorized experience for the many CT travelers plus Chaffee County locals and visitors.
We ask you give favorable funding consideration to the South Fooses Colorado Trail Reroute. Thank you for this and all the good things you do for Colorado,
Bill Manning Executive Director
The Colorado Trail Foundation 710 10th Street #210 Golden, CO 80401-0728 phone (303) 384-3729 email [email protected] www.ColoradoTrail.org
Greater Arkansas River Nature Association PO Box 1522
Salida, Colorado 81201
Colorado State Parks and Wildlife 719.539.5106 State Trails Program www.garna.org 13787 S. Hwy 85 [email protected] Littleton, CO 80125
Re: Colorado Mountain Club Colorado Trail Reroute Proposal
Dear State Trail Grant Committee,
The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) is pleased to support the South Fooses (Colorado Trail) Reroute grant proposal from the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). We understand CMC is partnering with the US Forest Service, Salida Ranger District and the Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) to complete a three-mile reroute on a section of the Colorado Trail. This reroute will help address some long-standing deferred maintenance the Salida Ranger District has been wanting to accomplish for over a decade. CMC will be the project lead on this large-scale project and has the right level of experience and trail knowledge to oversee such a complex project.
The reroute itself will accomplish the decommissioning of a section of unsustainable, fall-line trail; causing damage to the natural environment. When completed this new reroute will provide a safe, non-motorized trail experience for locals and visitors to Chaffee County. In Chaffee County we are fortunate to have such an amazing recreational resource in the Colorado Trail. It is important to we take care of this resource and we believe this reroute will ensure safe, quality recreational experiences for all users well into the future.
GARNA, through community collaboration, inspires a conservation ethic by providing educational opportunities and experiences so that those who live, work and play in the Upper Arkansas Valley are motivated to take care of the natural resources and leave a legacy of responsible use of the natural environment. We’ve accomplished our mission for 25 years through formal partnerships with public land management agencies. GARNA enjoys partnership with the Colorado Mountain Club and the USFS Salida Ranger District. A formal operating agreement is in place with Salida Ranger Districts, which will ensure the success of this project. We also see great value in the end result of this proposal.
We highly encourage you to fund the 2020 CMC/USFS/CTF South Fooses Trail Project in 2021. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or for more information.
Sincerely,
Dominique Naccarato GARNA Executive Director [email protected]
Salida Mountain Trails PO Box 612 Salida, CO 81201
Colorado State Parks and Wildlife September 25, 2025 State Trails Program 13787 S. Hwy 85 Littleton, CO 80125
Subject: Colorado State Trails grant to fund new reroute on the South Fooses Creek section of the Colorado Trail
Dear State Trail Grant Committee,
Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) are pleased to support the Colorado Mountain Club’s grant proposal to fund the new reroute on the South Fooses Creek section of the Colorado Trail. Many of our supporters are avid users of the Fooses Trail. The top section of trail that connects the CDT to the CT is currently very steep, unsustainable, and unsafe for some users. This reroute is a super important project for our community and region.
Over the years SMT has built a strong relationship with the Colorado Mountain Club & Salida Ranger District recreation staff by collaborating on numerous successful projects. We also look forward to assisting on this project as volunteers as possible. We highly encourage you to fund this grant for this well deserving project. If you have questions or concerns feel free to contact SMT at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Mike Smith, SMT Board President
Logo Department Name Agency Organization Organization Address Information United States Forest Salida Ranger District 5575 Cleora Road Department of Service Salida, CO 81201 Agriculture 719-539-3591 FAX: 719-539-3593
File Code: 2310 Date: September 28, 2020
Colorado State Parks and Wildlife State Trails Program 13787 S. Hwy 85
Dear State Trail Grant Review Committee,
We are pleased to support the South Fooses (Colorado Trail) Reroute grant proposal from the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC). CMC will be partnering with the US Forest Service, Salida Ranger District and the Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) to complete a 3 mile reroute on a section of the Colorado Trail. This reroute will help address some long-standing deferred maintenance the Salida Ranger District has been wanting to accomplish for over a decade. CMC will be the project lead on this large-scale project and has the right level of experience and trail knowledge to oversee such a complex project. The reroute itself will accomplish the decommissioning of a section of unsustainable, fall-line trail; causing damage to the natural environment.
When completed this reroute will provide a safe, non-motorized trail experience for locals and visitors to Chaffee County. In Chaffee County we are fortunate to have such an amazing recreational resource in the Colorado Trail. It is important the we take care of this resource and we believe this reroute will ensure safe, quality recreational experiences for all users well into the future.We strongly urge you to support this project and we look forward to working closely alongside CMC to ensure its success. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this proposal.
Sincerely,
JAMES PITTS District Ranger
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper