Eldo to walker
Connecting the plains to the mountains
Connecting the plains to the mountains
Eldo to Walker
The Eldorado Canyon to Walker Ranch Multi-Use Connector Trail is a long sought-after plains to mountains singletrack trail. This 4+ mile connection would allow mountain bikers to ride from Boulder to Walker Ranch and beyond and is an important piece of the Indian Peaks Traverse.
The concept of this trail began over twenty years ago and has been mentioned as an important connector in seven planning documents*
Next Steps
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting a Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP), which began in June 2019 with an expected completion in late 2020. As part of the VUMP, BMA will participate in a task force facilitated by an independent contractor and comprised of project stakeholders including Eldorado Springs residents, climbers, hikers, trail runners, Eldorado Artesian Springs, and mountain bikers.
Eldorado Canyon Visitor Use Management Plan Public Engagement Opportunities
The decision about the Eldo-to-Walker multi-use trail will not be part of the discussion but you can weigh in on other visitor use issues at either of two public open houses or an online survey.
Eldo to Walker: Visitor Use Management Plan Update
The process for approval of the Eldorado Canyon State Park to Walker Ranch Connection trail continues…the VUMP saga.
Eldo to Walker Visitor Use Management Plan Update
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will conduct a Visitor Use Management Plan (VUMP) study while continuing to consider the feasibility of a multi-use connector trail.
Recap and Timeline
June
2019
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) began a Visitor Use Management Plan study for Eldorado Canyon State Park. BMA was invited to sit on the accompanying Task Force which includes stakeholders including land managers, hikers, climbers, equestrians, Eldorado Springs residents, Eldorado Artesian Springs, and transportation.
March
2019
- Staff put the Eldo-to-Walker Trail Connector Public Process on hold while Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) conducts a Visitor Use Management Study for Eldorado Canyon State Park.
February
2019
- BMA attended the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) meeting and many mountain bikers spoke. After hours of public comment, OSBT voted unanimously to pursue an Eldo-to-Walker multi use trail connection, with the north alignment being the preferred option.
- OSBT also stated that the proposed alignment faces significant challenges that affect its ultimate feasibility. Staff should continue to work with Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS) and CPW in collaboration with all visitor groups and stakeholders, including the Eldorado Springs community to propose solutions for:
– Parking, transportation, and safety
– Environmental impacts
– User conflicts on the trail
– Previous TSA commitments
January
2019
- BMA letter to the editor published in the Daily Camera.
- BMA members attended the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) meeting and spoke in favor of a multi-use trail.
- POSAC made a motion to the Boulder County Commissioners that the North Route is the preferred alignment for construction of a multi-use trail connection between Eldorado Canyon State Park and Walker Ranch. POSAC will continue to work with OSMP, CPW, and stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that mitigate capacity related issues affecting the greater Eldorado Springs community.
- POSAC wants to ensure capacity mitigation efforts are identified, funded, and executed, and relevant metrics are met prior to initiating construction of trail.
November
2018
- OSMP, BCPOS, and CPW presented their work at a well-attended meeting of over 120 people, in which they unanimously proposed a multi-use trail on the north side of the canyon.
- Dozens of BMA members submitted comments in favor of the agency recommendation through the Feasibility Study’s online survey. 670 unique respondents completed the survey and the majority supported the agency recommendation.
– Survey Results
– Summary
July
2018
- Feasibility Study investigating and analyzing trail options for a multi-use connection was completed
August
2018
- Project partners hosted an open house and comment period on the project timeline and process, analysis topics to be used to evaluate the alternatives, and routes to be included in the feasibility study. Over 100 people attended the open house, and approximately 475 comments were received. Feedback was captured in these documents:
– Compendium of Initial Public Comments
– Summary and Responses to Initial Public Comments.
2013
- Staff from Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS), City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) began the Eldorado Canyon to Walker Ranch Trail Feasibility Study.
*Travel Management Plans mentioning Eldo to Walker
Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (2015 Major Update, Adopted 2017)
Department of Natural Resources Colorado the Beautiful program (2015)
Eldorado Mountain/Doudy Draw Trail Study Area (TSA) Plan (December 2006)