Archive | Newsletter

Hello, Trails Preservation Alliance Supporters!

The snow has finally given way, and Colorado’s trails are beginning to open up—revealing both opportunities and the usual post-winter challenges. As we dive into peak riding season, it’s time to gear up, clear trails, fix drainage issues, and bring to life the projects we’ve been planning all winter!

Remember: ride over, under, or through obstacles—not around them, and always carry a saw. Connect with a local club and lend a hand to fun and important work – together, we’ll keep our trails open, sustainable, and enjoyable for all users!

While the prime riding season is just getting started, 2025 has already been a busy and productive year for the Trails Preservation Alliance. From ongoing initiatives to new efforts taking shape, there’s a lot happening—and a lot to look forward to.

Read on for updates, and as Riggle would say… “ride safely and more often!”

Cheers,

Chad Hixon
Trails Preservation Alliance
Executive Director

Recent Highlights

6th Annual TPA Partner Club Meeting

We’re still riding the momentum from our recent club meeting, held March 30, 2025! With over 60 attendees representing 28 clubs and organizations from Colorado and Southeast Utah, this year’s gathering was our biggest and most dynamic yet. From meaningful conversations on the issues that matter most to a record-breaking Rabbit Valley ride day, the event was a powerful reminder of how important this work is to all of us—and proof that we’re building real momentum to achieve great things together.

Thank You to Our Club Meeting Sponsors

A huge thanks to KLIM, Enduristan, Single Track Innovations, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, KTM, and Doubletake Mirror for making this event possible. Your support fuels our shared mission to protect access and promote responsible recreation.

We’re grateful for everyone who contributes to this growing network. Here’s to another year of strong partnerships and shared success on the trails!

Get Connected to a Club!

• Club Area Map: We’re thrilled to have the interactive Club Area Map live on the TPA website. This tool shows which regions each partner club stewards and includes direct links and contact information to help connect riders, volunteers, and land managers with the clubs in their area. See Club Area Map…
• TPA Clubs Page: Now easily accessible from the top navigation bar of our homepage, this page lists all partner clubs and contact info in one place. See Clubs page…
• Club Operations: Starting and Running and OHV Club – A new online resource to help start and sustain effective clubs, based on insights collected from a variety of club leaders at the 2024 meeting.

TPA Trail Crew  

We’re excited to share that the TPA Statewide Trail Crew has been actively working across Colorado since early May! This new initiative is already making a difference—supporting motorized trail maintenance in partnership with public land managers statewide.

Modeled after the USFS Statewide Trail Crew, our team is fully staffed with experienced professionals—many of them former USFS OHV crew leaders—and outfitted with a truck, toy hauler, motorcycles, chainsaws, and full PPE. Their work includes trail clearing, erosion control, drainage improvements, fire recovery, and new trail layout, design, and construction. Services are offered at little to no cost to agencies.

In a major milestone, the TPA has also secured a USFS Region 2 Work Agreement, allowing all Forest Service districts across Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas to work directly with the TPA Trail Crew and partners. This streamlines coordination and paves the way for broader regional impact.

We’re proud to fully fund the crew’s first season and are excited to share that we’ve been awarded a 2026 CPW OHV Grant—the highest scoring application in the state—to help sustain and grow the program in the coming years.

Our goal is to expand this program with additional crews to build long-term capacity, support clubs, and keep trails in Colorado and beyond safe, sustainable, and open for all.

If you believe in this work, please consider making a donation to help us grow the Trail Crew program and meet the growing need for high-quality trail stewardship across the region.

Want to connect your agency, club, or organization with the crew? Contact us via this form to get involved.

Club Spotlight

Motorcycle Trail Riders Association

Representing Western Colorado’s dirt bike community since 1989, the Motorcycle Trail Riders Association (MTRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by a volunteer board and powered by annual memberships, donations, and grant support. MTRA has built a strong reputation for collaborative partnerships with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Grand Valley Trail Alliance (GVTA), Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA), Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), and other user groups.

Mission:
MTRA is dedicated to keeping public lands in Western Colorado open to responsible and respectful recreation. By working cooperatively with local, state, and federal agencies—as well as other user groups—MTRA advocates for and maintains access to high-quality singletrack through volunteer labor, rider education, and active local engagement.

WHAT THEY DO:

• ENJOY great rides and community events
• >ADVOCATE for access and responsible use with land managers and partners
• SUPPORT trail development, construction, and ongoing maintenance
• EDUCATE riders and trail users on sustainable practices
• MAINTAIN access to singletrack and public lands
• RIDE the incredible singletrack Western Colorado has to offer!

For more information—or to join and support MTRA’s ongoing work—visit mtragj.org or contact them directly at mtrawestco@gmail.com or on Facebook

Fundraisers

Supporting trails and preserving access is truly a team effort! Recent fundraising events, made possible by the generosity of our donors and partners, highlight the incredible dedication of the off-highway motorcycle community. Thanks to your support, we’re making great strides in protecting and enhancing the trail systems we all love. Here’s a look at the highlights and impacts of our partners recent efforts!

Colorado 500 Partnership

We’re honored to announce a new partnership with the legendary Colorado 500, which has selected the TPA as the beneficiary of a three-year, $225,000 fundraising campaign to support advocacy, stewardship, and responsible motorized recreation across Colorado.

As one of the first organized off-highway motorcycle charity rides, the Colorado 500 has long supported rural communities. Now, it’s expanding its mission by investing directly in trail preservation and access efforts. Thanks to built-in matching support, every dollar raised will be tripled, amplifying the impact of this effort.

In addition to funding, the partnership also includes hands-on trail work—starting this summer with a volunteer day alongside the Gunnison-Crested Butte MC Club and the GOATS.

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Colorado 500 community and excited to share more about the impact of this effort in the months ahead.

2025 TPA Sweepstakes

Enter to Win the Ultimate Dual-Sport Bike!

The 5th Annual TPA Motorcycle Sweepstakes—our largest fundraiser of the year—is officially open through August!

This year’s prize? A 2025 KTM 350 EXC-F Champion Edition, expertly outfitted with top-tier accessories and a total value of $20,000. It’s the ultimate dual-sport machine—trail-ready and fully dialed in.

As the TPA’s work and impact continue to grow, so does our need for support. This sweepstakes is your chance to back the mission and enter to win one of the best off-road bikes on the planet.

• 1st Prize KTM 350 EXC-F Champion Edition
• 2nd Prize Two tickets to the Colorado 600
• 3rd Prize $1000 KLIM Gift Card

Support the cause. Win the bike. https://www.coloradotpa.org/sweepstakes/ 

2025 Colorado 600  

The 2025 Colorado 600 Trails Awareness Symposium is just around the corner, happening September 17th – 21st in South Fork Colorado! This unique ride and fundraising event brings together riders, industry leaders, and advocates to support responsible motorized recreation across the West.

Never been? The Colorado 600 combines incredible riding with impactful discussions on land use, advocacy, and stewardship. It’s an experience unlike any other. Spots fill fast, so if you’re thinking about joining us, don’t wait—register soon!

We can’t wait to see you there! www.coloradotpa.org/colorado-600

Corporate & Private Donations

The TPA is blessed with numerous corporate and private donors both large and small. It is energizing to the entire TPA team to have all of your support and we thank each and every one of you for your generous support – we couldn’t do it without you!

Land Use

Moab Labyrinth Rims Gemini Bridges Appeal 

On April 21, 2025, Ride with Respect (RwR), Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA), Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), and Colorado Off Road Enterprise (CORE) filed an appeal with the Interior Board of Land Appeals challenging the BLM’s final Labyrinth/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan.

Led by Ride with Respect, the appeal challenges the removal of 317 miles of OHV routes across nearly 304,000 acres—an action the groups argue violates multiple federal laws, including NEPA, the APA, and the Dingell Act. The appeal also cites the BLM’s failure to adequately consider public input, assess socio-economic impacts, or evaluate a full range of alternatives.

These closures not only threaten access to a world-renowned OHV destination, but also risk serious impacts on local economies that rely on motorized recreation. The appeal reflects years of stewardship and investment in this area by off-highway enthusiasts, and a shared commitment to protecting responsible recreation through lawful, transparent public land planning.

For more detail please read the press release and full appeal.

Federal Court Upholds Rico-West Dolores Travel Plan

On May 16, 2025, a federal court upheld the U.S. Forest Service’s 2018 Rico-West Dolores Travel Plan, concluding a nearly seven-year legal effort led by the Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA), San Juan Trail Riders, and Public Access Preservation Alliance. While the plan reduced motorcycle trail mileage from 114 to 84 miles and limited seasonal use to June 1–October 31, the court ruled that the Forest Service followed proper procedures under NEPA and NFMA.

Though disappointed by the loss of access to 30 miles of trail, we’re relieved the court rejected additional restrictions sought by conservation groups. This decision brings closure to a long-running legal battle and reinforces the need for ongoing advocacy to protect responsible motorized access. Read more…

TPA Visits Washington DC

Our Executive Director Chad Hixon, along with our Legal Counsel Kent Holsinger and Erica Tergeson, Principal of Crosswinds Solutions, made a fast-paced trip to Washington, DC this May for a series of productive meetings with five legislators, two committees, and two federal agencies. The trip offered a valuable look into the scope and impact of our advocacy and stewardship work at the federal level.

Our discussions focused on addressing:

• Advocating for a Federal work agreement, which allows the TPA and OHV clubs to partner with agencies and execute good work.
• Advocating for NEPA reform through expanded use of Categorical Exclusions to speed up trail work.
• Addressing the over-concentration of access caused by decades of restrictive Travel Management Plans, and consideration for a return to an “open unless stated closed” as opposed to “closed unless stated open” policy, as was in place before 2005.

The meetings were well organized and generally well received across party lines and with staff from BLM, DOI, and USFS. While the cost of this kind of trip is not insignificant, (both time and money), the return – in terms of influence, strategic insight, and momentum – is invaluable. Read more…

Early Season Riding Reminders

Keep single track single!

Over, Under, or Through – Stay on the Trail and Always Carry a Saw!
It’s a simple rule with a big impact. Whether you’re navigating downed trees or muddy sections, staying on the trail is one of the most important things we can do as responsible riders. This message is at the heart of good trail stewardship—and we’re asking you to help spread it!

Even though much of the early trail clearing is behind us, snow drifts can linger at high elevations into mid-summer, and trees fall year-round—so don’t let your guard down. Always pack a handsaw on every ride. Educate yourself on current trail conditions by reaching out to local land management agencies or motorcycle clubs, and always stay mindful of seasonal wildlife closures.

When you see a mud puddle? Ride through it. Rock or branch in the way? Go over it. Taking shortcuts or going around obstacles widens trails and causes long-term damage. Let’s all do our part to keep singletrack single.

Check out this excellent article by Chad de Alva on Early Season Riding Etiquette from Upshift Online—a must-read for every rider hitting the trail this season.

Partners & Sponsors

We couldn’t do it without these folks. Their donations to the TPA of time, money, and goods keep us all on the trails.

Partners

Sponsors

Hello, Trails Preservation Alliance Supporters!

As our peak riding season wraps up and the holidays approach, it’s hard to believe 2024 is nearly behind us! We hope you had an amazing season exploring the trails we all work so hard to protect—after all, that’s why we do what we do!

Before the end-of-year hustle takes over, we wanted to share some highlights from the TPA and our Partner Clubs across the state. No wonder the year flew by—we hosted the 5th Annual TPA Partner Club Meeting, completed our 4th TPA Sweepstakes, and held our flagship event, the 13th Colorado 600 Trails Awareness Symposium.

And when we weren’t busy with those major projects, we stayed active by joining Club gatherings, workdays, conferences, workshops, and other important meetings.

Read on for more information and as Riggle would say… we hope you all “ride safely and more often”!
Cheers,

Chad Hixon
Trails Preservation Alliance
Executive Director

Recent Highlights

Club Meeting

The TPA extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our 5th Annual TPA Partner Club Meeting a success—attendees, sponsors, presenters, panelists, and representatives from local land management agencies.

We were thrilled to have welcomed 50 attendees and 26 organizations from across Colorado and Southeast Utah.

The ride day in Bangs Canyon was the biggest turnout ever, with 20 riders coming to check out the ongoing progress in this awesome riding area.

This meeting brings together clubs and individuals from across Colorado and eastern Utah who are making a positive difference in riding opportunities. Your dedication, support, attendance, and active participation are what make this event truly impactful. Here’s to all the amazing clubs!

New Resource: Interactive Club Map

At the 2024 Partner Club Meeting, there was broad agreement that a map showing the regions each affiliated club manages would be a valuable resource. We’re excited to announce that this interactive Google-based map is now live!

The map highlights each club’s stewardship area and includes links to their websites and social media pages. You can find it on our website’s Affiliated Clubs page or view it directly on Google Maps. It’s a fantastic way to see the impact of our clubs and connect with them.

2024 TPA Moto Adventure Sweepstakes

The Sweepstakes is one of the TPA’s largest annual fundraisers. This year we went bigger and better than ever with the Moto Adventure Sweepstakes Grand Prize package which included the Haulin’ Summit Hybrid Camp Trailer and a decked-out 2024 KTM 300 XC-W.

Thank You to all the donors and Sweepstakes supporters for making this fundraiser a huge success and congratulations to our winners!

2024 TPA Sweepstake winners!

Grand Prize – Eric Balzhiser
Second Prize – Doug Wills
Third Prize – George Bielinski

The 2024 Colorado 600 Trails Awareness Symposium: A Huge Success!

This year’s Colorado 600 returned to the beautiful town of South Fork, and it didn’t disappoint! Riders were treated to stunning fall weather and a fresh event format, midweek-to-Sunday, offering three unforgettable days of riding before heading home. The welcoming community of South Fork and the ongoing upgrades to the LOGE facilities made this year’s event even more memorable—many of us are already looking forward to our next stay!

While the rides are always a highlight, what truly sets the Colorado 600 apart are the daily discussions. These gatherings offer a chance to hear updates from the TPA, exchange ideas, and collect valuable feedback from our dedicated riders.

A standout moment this year? A special appearance by none other than Ty Murray, “The King of the Cowboys”! Ty, a passionate dirt bike enthusiast and TPA supporter, joined us this year for the event and an incredible Q&A session at the rider banquet—an evening that won’t soon be forgotten.

Ty Murray and Chad Hixon at the 2024 Colorado 600

Save the Date:
Missed out this year? Don’t worry—mark your calendars for the 2025 event, happening Wednesday, September 17th through Sunday, September 21st. We can’t wait to see you there!

Club Spotlight

Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders Association (CMTRA)

Since 1972, the Colorado Motorcycle Trail Riders Association (CMTRA) has been the leading advocate for motorcycle trail riders in the Pikes Peak and Southern Colorado region. This passionate group works tirelessly to maintain and expand access to multi-use trails while promoting responsible trail stewardship.

CMTRA collaborates with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on trail projects that benefit riders and the wider recreation community. Notable efforts include ongoing work in the Captain Jacks/Jones Park and 717 trail systems, as well as the Penrose Commons and Seep Springs areas managed by the BLM. These projects have been made possible through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) OHV program, from which CMTRA has secured over $250,000 in grants. Every dollar has gone toward tools, materials, and labor to construct and maintain motorized trails in the region.

Trail workdays are a cornerstone of CMTRA’s mission. They not only improve trail systems but also foster a sense of community among riders who share a love for Colorado’s diverse landscapes. Regular monthly meetings provide members with opportunities to connect, plan rides, and discuss ongoing advocacy efforts.

CMTRA’s active involvement is vital to keeping motorcycle trails open in Colorado. Ready to get involved? Visit cmtrail.org to learn more or join their next meeting.

Thank you CMTRA for all that you do!

CMTRA
P.O. Box 38006
Colorado Springs, CO 80937

Email: president@cmtrail.org
Facebook: facebook.com/cmtrail.org
Web: cmtrail.org

Fundraisers

Supporting trails and preserving access is truly a team effort! Recent fundraising events, made possible by the generosity of our donors and partners, highlight the incredible dedication of the off-highway motorcycle community. Thanks to your support, we’re making great strides in protecting and enhancing the trail systems we all love. Here’s a look at the highlights and impacts of our partners recent efforts!

David Pierce – Museum Open House

David Pierce of Farmington, NM, a longtime supporter of the TPA and the San Juan Trail Riders, hosted an incredible open house at his Motorcycle Museum this past April. The event was a huge success, drawing roughly 100-150 motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoyed raffles, silent auctions, great food, and a day filled with camaraderie.

Gary Wilkinson, David Pierce and Don Riggle at the Pierce Museum open house along with the donated bike.

Thanks to David’s generosity, the event raised significant funds, including an extraordinary donation of a fully refurbished 1997 Kawasaki KX 500 from his collection. This special bike was sold, with all proceeds benefiting the TPA and SJTR. In total the event and bike sale raised $9248!

The TPA and SJTR cannot thank David Pierce enough for his unwavering dedication to our sport and his commitment to supporting our mission. Thank you, David, for making a lasting impact!

Moto Coffee Fundraiser

In June, we partnered with Moto Coffee to support the Trails Preservation Alliance.

Throughout the month, 20% of all coffee and merchandise purchases from Moto Coffee were donated directly to the TPA. Based in Wyoming, Moto Coffee shares our passion for keeping trails open and supporting causes riders care about. We love their mission and philosophy—here’s an excerpt from their website:

Protecting the Freedom to Ride. Together.

“We created Moto Coffee to fuse our passion for coffee with our love of motorcycles in a way that allows us to truly support and give back to the riding community. A portion of profits go back to two-wheeled causes like protecting our trails, helping injured riders to recover from accidents, education initiatives, and more.”

Colorado 500 Donation

Thank you to the Colorado 500 for their initiative in securing a $15,000 Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant. The “Colorado 500 Trail Preparation Project” enabled the CO500 to donate $2,500 to each of the following clubs, supporting their efforts to preserve, enhance, and improve OHV access opportunities:

1. Colorado Off-Hwy Coalition (COHVCO)
2. Trails Preservations Alliance (TPA)
3. Western Colorado Riders and Enthusiasts (WESTCORE)
4. Gunnison Valley OHV Alliance of Trail Riders (GOATS)
5. San Juan Trail Riders (SJTR)
6. Colorado Backcountry Trail Riders (CBTRA)

28th Annual Colorado Gold Rush

A special thank you from all of us at the TPA to Merve Davies and all the Gold Rush riders and supporters. For the 28th year riders enjoyed a week of riding in Colorado filled with great trails, good meals, and the joy of reconnecting with old friends while welcoming new ones. This year, the event had 36 riders, including 8 first-timers from Tennessee, Colorado, and California!

Thanks to everyone’s participation, we raised $6K for the TPA! Special thanks to the Widener family for hosting a wonderful lunch at the cabin and to Dennis Larratt for the memorable mine tour.

Mark your calendars for next year’s ride, happening August 10-15, 2025. Let’s aim for 50 riders—start spreading the word now! Invitations will go out in February.

Corporate and Private Donations

The TPA is blessed with numerous corporate and private donors both large and small. It is energizing to the entire TPA team to have all of your support and we thank each and every one of you for your generous support – we couldn’t do it without you!

Land Use

Jerry Abboud: The Father of Colorado’s OHV Program

Chapter 9 of At Home in Nature by Colorado Parks and Wildlife highlights Jerry Abboud, the “Father of Colorado’s OHV Program,” for his visionary leadership in creating and advancing the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program.

Abboud’s efforts led to the passage of House Bill 1329 in 1990, establishing the Colorado State Trails OHV Program, which has since directed $80 million in registration fees to improve motorized recreation across the state. This September, Jerry was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition as he retires from his role as Executive Director of COHVCO.

Thank you, Jerry, for a lifetime of dedication to our sport and community!

TPA News page – Busy, Busy, Busy!

2024 has been a whirlwind of activity for the TPA! We’ve submitted a total of 26 letters and comments on various land use issues, ensuring that the voice of off-highway motorcycle recreation is heard loud and clear.

Together with our partners, the TPA has been actively involved in a diverse range of topics—from federal employee hiring and wildlife conservation to forest health and National Monument planning. These efforts reflect our commitment to preserving and expanding access for our community.

For a full breakdown of the issues we’ve tackled this year, visit the TPA News page!

New Trail Stuff

Porter Gulch

The Central Colorado Mountain Riders (CCMR), in partnership with the Salida Ranger District, completed a NEW 1.6-mile motorized, multi-use trail in Howard, Colorado. They constructed a 1.6-mile motorized, multi-use trail providing access to the Rainbow Trail from County Road 4 in western Fremont County. This new trail greatly benefits both motorized and non-motorized users by improving access to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness trails for non-motorized activities and creating new loop options for mountain bikers, e-bike riders, and motorcyclists. The project was entirely funded through generous private donations to the TPA and CCMR.

Penrose Commons

Collaboration is at the heart of the effort to improve Penrose Commons, a popular winter riding destination near Colorado’s Front Range. The Colorado Mountain Trail Riders Association (CMTRA) and Rampart Range Motorized Management Committee (RRMMC), in partnership with the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office, have taken a significant step by officially opening 3 miles of previously user-created trails. This marks the beginning of a broader effort to enhance the riding experience in the area.

CMTRA has also secured CPW OHV grant funds to develop a comprehensive plan for Penrose Commons, aiming to create additional trails and improve amenities. These initiatives will make this important off-season riding destination even more enjoyable for Front Range riders.

Soldier Stone Trail and Signage

The Soldier Stone Vietnam War Memorial on Sargents Mesa, located near the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, now features a dedicated non-motorized hiking trail. This safe, stable, and accessible path provides a direct route from the nearby road, allowing visitors to honor this remarkable memorial.

The Trails Preservation Alliance, in partnership with the Saguache Ranger District, collaborated to establish this single trail and install interpretive signage to enhance the visitor experience. If you’re riding in the Sargents/Saguache area, be sure to take the time to visit this special and meaningful place.

Partners & Sponsors

We couldn’t do it without these folks. Their donations to the TPA of time, money, and goods keep us all on the trails.

Partners

Sponsors