Proposed Mountain Bike Connector Trail Moves Forward

BOULDER, CO -- At an open house Wednesday evening, recreationists, stakeholders, and public officials met to discuss recommendations for a multi-use trail connection between Walker Ranch and Eldorado Canyon State Park. Although it is currently possible to travel between the two on trails, county staff says the current route is too steep and rocky to accommodate mountain bikes and is showing signs of erosion.

The meeting was intended to gather public feedback on the results of a joint trail feasibility study between Boulder County Parks & Open Space, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The agencies are jointly recommending their North Route option as the preferred alignment for the new trail. Full details about the other proposed options can be found on the project page on the county's website.

“The purpose of this process is to see if we can come up with a multi-use connection that minimizes environmental impacts, but provides a meaningful visitor experience,” said Marni Ratzel, resource planner at Boulder County Parks & Open Space, according to a press release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “We want to make sure it is technically feasible, fiscally responsible, and, because a connection would originate or terminate in the state park, we also have to consider impacts to the Eldorado Springs community.”

Public concerns at the open house included impacts to the state park and the community of Eldorado Springs, pre-existing capacity issues, environmental impacts, safety concerns about mixing mountain bikers with the already existing trail users and where funding would come from.

The study group had noted possible challenged included to high visitation and capacity concerns at Eldorado Canyon State Park during peak summer months, and previously stated that working through parking and access concerns will be a part of the approval and construction process.

Although the open house is past, the public is invited to comment on the proposal on the project website.

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Photo via Colorado Parks and Wildlife