Did you know that about 17% of Boulder County—roughly 137,310 acres—is federally owned land? That’s a massive area to manage, and the Boulder Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) doesn’t have the staff or resources to keep all the trails clear and safe on their own. With countless miles of trails crisscrossing these public lands, downed trees, erosion, and other maintenance challenges can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s where volunteers and trail partners like BMA step in. Through an official volunteer agreement with the USFS, BMA helps lighten the load for our federal land managers, providing crucial support to keep trails open for everyone. This partnership ensures that even when staffing and budgets are tight, trails remain accessible and enjoyable.
One of the key ways we help is through deadfall removal—clearing large, fallen trees that block the trail. Mike Rutter, BMA’s Trails Program Director, is chainsaw certified and works year-round to tackle these obstacles, helping keep our singletrack rideable and safe.
It’s all part of our mission to give back to the trails we love, support our federal land managers, and ensure that Boulder County continues to be a world-class place to ride (or ski or snowshoe).
Want to see trail work in action? Watch now and learn more about how we keep your favorite trails open!