By HPRS Race Director John Lacroix

Back in 2018, I was invited to take part in the initial focus group meetings for a new project known as Outside 285. The group that initially assembled included COMBA, The Bailey Hundo, and Team Evergreen representing mountain bikers; Backcountry Horsemen representing the equestrians; and Human Potential representing trail runner interests. The group was brought together mostly at the request of the USFS South Platte Ranger District who wanted to see all user groups within their district working in unison, rather than against one another or simply for our own self interests. Through these meetings we began to identify a form of 10-year “wish list” for the trails associated with the 285 Corridor North and East of Kenosha Pass. 

After submitting our plan to the USFS, the project slowly moved forward until it not only received grant monies, but took on a more official form as we began to involve a host of other stakeholders not limited to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, The USFS South Park and Clear Creek Ranger Districts, Trout Unlimited, Colorado Mountain Club, Jefferson County Open Space, and more. It has been incredible to watch this group grow in scope to include a wide range of interested parties and stakeholders, all who have a keen interest in land management, land usage, and the enjoyment and preservation of the outdoors. 

I continue to learn a lot about what goes in to trail design, building, ecology, habitat, riparian issues, access for the disabled, etc. As a stakeholder representing the trail runner user group, I continue to provide the necessary input to ensure that we can all use the trails along side other user groups, in a safe and responsible way. I also try to see through the lens of other user groups so that we’re not approaching issues selfishly, but more in a way that helps us move forward while resolving and preventing conflict between user groups. This is not an easy task, as we all know, but one that I am dedicated to. 

Today the 285 Master Plan has finally been announced and it is an honor of mine to introduce you to it. 

You can read todays Newsletter Mailing by Clicking HERE.

You can visit the Outside 285 Website by Clicking HERE.

Project Goals

Through the master planning effort CPW, USFS, COMBA, and their project partners aim to:

• Produce a regional planning document to guide project decisions in the Outside 285 region

• Build consensus among agencies, wildlife and recreation advocates

• Locate desirable and critical habitat areas for protection

• Determine potential opportunities for improved recreational amenities and capacity 

• Identify suitable locations for trail linkages, improvements, or expanded trail systems

• Develop a system for trail maintenance and identify funding sources

• Strengthen relationships and mechanisms for future project determinations

• Provide a model for future regional trail planning

There will be ample opportunity for public comments and input this fall and beyond. I’m asking you, the trail runner user group, to please be involved in this process by providing your input in a timely and honest fashion. Together we can make a huge difference in creating a more diversified and robust trail network close to the Front Range that would do wonders in spreading out the crowds, and giving us more miles to explore. I also ask you to please.. let’s not get into the usual us vs. them spat when it comes to other user groups in the area. We all must learn to recreate together, responsibly, and respectfully. 

It is my hope that through Outside 285, we can not only improve existing trails and trailhead infrastructure to accommodate more of us, but we’ll be able to get new exciting trails built in our high country. It is also my hope that this will open opportunity for more of us to enjoy hosting events on our public lands as a way to continue being together in the outdoors, exploring what is possible within ourselves. I look forward to continue to represent our user group with this project, and I hope you’ll join me in caring for the land we all so very much love and enjoy.