By Wendy Sweet
As a membership-based nonprofit, BMA is dedicated to improving mountain biking access and experiences across Boulder County. With myself as the Executive Director and our Trail Programs Director Mike Rutter, our work is primarily funded through community memberships and donations.
Founded in 1991, BMA has spent decades building strong relationships with local officials and land management staff, allowing us to advocate for better trails and riding opportunities. Our efforts have led to close partnerships with Boulder’s elected officials, and we’re a part of several regional and state-level groups, including:
- Colorado Mountain Bike Coalition
- NoCo Places
- Monthly meetings with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources
- Lefthand Management Study Stakeholder Working Group
The Challenging Environment of Boulder
Boulder is known for its challenges when it comes to mountain biking, such as the longstanding bike ban on certain trails. Despite this, we’ve made significant progress over the years. Thanks to our long-term relationships and the expertise of trail builders like Mike Rutter, we now work closely with land managers from Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, Boulder County Parks & Open Space, and the U.S. Forest Service. Our team builds and maintains trails under a contractor-like agreement, where we’re entrusted to deliver high-quality multi-use trails, ensuring they meet the needs of all users, with a focus on enhancing the mountain biking experience where appropriate. This work would not be possible without the continued support and contributions from our community.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Lefthand Area
While many U.S. Forest Service (USFS) roads remain open to full-size vehicles in the Boulder Ranger District, Lefthand Canyon is the only area in the district designated for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, including singletrack for motorcycles and e-bikes. However, since 2013, it has been temporarily closed to motorized use due to flood damage, resulting in zero miles of designated motorized singletrack anywhere in Boulder County. Now, the USFS is required to create a new Travel Management Plan, which will determine whether the area remains closed to motorized traffic or is reopened. This process has been slow, but with the help of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), the Boulder Ranger District secured a grant to facilitate this planning.
Currently, the Lefthand Management Study Stakeholder Working Group—which includes representatives from the motorized community, Boulder County, City of Boulder, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, environmental groups, Friends of Lefthand, and BMA—is providing input for the plan. However, the inclusion of motorized users in the process does not guarantee the return of OHVs to the area.
BMA’s Vision for Lefthand
BMA is committed to ensuring Lefthand remains a unique and challenging area for advanced and progressive mountain biking experiences. [Learn more about Lefthand’s history and significance] We’re working to ensure that our community’s needs are considered alongside those of the motorized community and environmental concerns. Advanced-level riding opportunities are scarce in Boulder County, and losing Lefthand would be a huge loss for mountain bikers. We are advocating to protect the distinctive character of Lefthand that is so important to our community.
These discussions mark the beginning of change, but we are still far from any on-the-ground actions. Following this stakeholder process, the Boulder Ranger District will move into a formal public comment period and conduct environmental studies before making any final decisions as part of the Travel Management Plan. This process could take 1-5 years, and it’s possible that not all existing trails will be included in the final system map. Once the Boulder Ranger District approves the Travel Management Plan, the project will enter the implementation phase.
While this current stakeholder working group does not have an opportunity for public comment, we want our community to know that BMA will keep you informed. When it’s time for public input, we’ll make sure you have the information you need to let your voice be heard and advocate for the trails you love.
I’m always happy to hear your thoughts and comments on Lefthand, please feel free to drop me a line.