Trails in Grand County not only fulfill local recreational and transportation needs, they also provide a large draw for tourism. Improved facilities and continued planning of an interconnected trail system will enhance residents' lives and provide for a larger economic base of year-round tourism. Trails will provide many people the increased ability to experience the natural outdoor beauty of Grand County. These enriching outdoor experiences improve physical and mental health, and provide for an understanding of an individual's relationship with the natural world. Trails not only support recreational purposes but also potentially serve as an alternative local transportation system. These benefits combined have had strong influence throughout the development of the Grand County Headwaters Trails Master Plan.

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Background

Grand County has long had a significant number of multi-use trails, paths, and four wheel drive roads.  In 1988, with the help of the Grand County Commissioners, US West and Grand Mecca, the County began work on the assessment of current trails and the planning of future trails through the Headwaters Trails System.  The Headwaters Trails Committee was formed in 1989 with citizens representing all areas of the County. The committee was to explore trail and recreation opportunities available in Grand County and to develop goals and objectives for future development of these recreational opportunities. The Master Plan was meant to be a step in the continual process and improvement of the Headwaters Trails System, not a completion. Part of the impetus for the Plan was local concern about the closing of trails due to development. Many of these trails connect trail systems and public lands to each other and to communities, and are not only important to local users but are also valuable to the tourism industry in the County. The Headwaters Trails Master Plan has been designed to help prevent or mitigate these losses, to guide planned expansion, and to generally improve Grand County's Trails System.

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Purpose

In 1989, the purpose of the Headwaters Trails System was "to provide multi-use recreational trails." Over time, the purpose has been changed to include creation of the Master Plan and a master trails map to be used by local residents and visitors for recreational purposes. The master trails map can be used as a tool to identify and preserve trails during residential and commercial development.

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Goals

1. Provide high quality paved multi-use, multi-seasonal trails in Grand County which link towns and recreational areas within Grand County.

2. Develop, preserve and maintain a secondary trail system connecting historical, cultural and recreational sites adjoining Grand County communities.

3. Develop, preserve and maintain paved and secondary trails to adjoining counties.

4. Record and map the existing trails and proposed trail corridors within Grand County.

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Objectives

• Build a recreational trail system around the natural assets of Grand County which would improve the quality of life for local residents as well as create facilities that serve visitors.

• Distribute the facilities of the system throughout the county, taking into consideration the carrying capacity of the land.

• Create a system that allows users of all physical and experience levels the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

• Plan trail facilities that emphasize year-round recreational features in Grand County, e.g., bike paths, backpacking trails, horse trails, cross country skiing, snowmobiling trails, four wheel drive trails, etc.

• Assess current and future trail facility needs.

• Use public lands to the greatest extent possible in the growth and development of the Headwaters Trails System.

• Effectively employ all facilities to: a) provide information to users and potential users; b) coordinate planning and construction with the Forest Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Bureau of Land Management, local government agencies and private and commercial enterprises; and c) continue building and designating multi-seasonal trails.

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Expanded Objectives

• Improve access to the Headwaters Trails System. Access includes: the development and production of a usable county trail map, parking availability for trails, and other general improvements which produce a more usable trail system.

• Maintain and accentuate the natural, cultural and historical assets of Grand County for local residents as well as visitors.

• Provide a wide spectrum of recreational opportunities throughout Grand County for a variety of activities, skill levels and types of experiences.

• Encourage and provide the county and municipalities with the opportunity to preserve trails and trail users' rights through the prevention of trial closures due to privatization, development or unjustified exclusionary practices. Trails of particular importance are those connecting public lands and trail systems to each other and to communities.

• Provide the county the option to require trail easements, trail rights of ways or trail impact fees in lieu of lands from subdivision developers.

• Encourage users to "Tread Lightly" and promote environmental awareness and respect among the users of the Headwaters Trails System.

• Encourage mutual respect and courtesy among the variety of trail users in Grand County towards each other and private landowners.

• Connect existing trails and planned trails with trails in counties bordering Grand County.

• Encourage the removal of trail related injury liability from private land owners and encourage private owners to permit the continued use of preexisting trials which pass through their property. Provide graded, gravel recreational trails which provide access from paved trails to trailheads, scenic views, various historic sites and other counties. These routes can also provide alternatives to the paved routes, i.e., Cottonwood Pass, Parshall Divide, and Church Park Road.

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Priorities

• Map and label the majority of trails and roads used in Grand County.

• Preserve the existing trail system and prevent the loss of trails due to development.

• Create a Headwaters Trails Coalition which will provide information and facilitate funding and implementation of the purpose, goals and objectives of this plan.

• Create a "backbone" trail system connecting towns, recreational areas, and as many historical sites as feasible. Create paved multipurpose trails connecting as many of these areas as possible while still maintaining a direct route between towns for commuters.

• Create and improve the connector trails linking major trails and trailheads along with cultural and historical sites and routes.

• Reserve the right for Grand County and municipalities within Grand County to require trail right of way dedications or cash in lieu of dedications from property being developed within the county.

• Designate county road rights-of-way as being available for trail routes. Encourage private individuals and organizations to build and maintain trails along these rights-of-way or other routes and to make these trails available for public use.

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Implementation

The Headwaters Trails Committee with guidance from the county, towns, recreational districts, private trail groups, USFS, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Bureau of Land Management, should create an entity which will be an overseer and organizer of all trail development and maintenance within the County.  Ref: Sec. 33-11-106, C.R.S.

Hereinafter, the entity which will be created will be referred to as the Headwaters Trails Coalition (now Alliance). The Alliance will be responsible for collecting and providing information on funding and construction needs for trails in the beginning and will also be involved in such items as county and municipal subdivision review for potential trail corridors, future trails planning, and maintenance organization.

The HTA will need to acquire funding and this funding may be acquired through a special tax or through fees paid by the County, towns, and the recreation districts. The Headwaters Trails Alliance will play the role of coordinator, facilitator, information provider, and administrator of the Headwaters Trails Master Plan's purpose, goals and objectives. It should additionally progress into actual trails implementation and construction when funding reaches the necessary level to perform these tasks.