Future Projects
Working to create more fun trails in and around Boulder
Future Projects
BMA continues to advocate for new mountain bike trails, especially trails that improve connectivity from town and between adjacent trail areas. Here are some of the projects on our radar.
Betasso Connector
Project description: Boulder County Parks & Open Space evaluated several trails options in 2016 to add trail connections from Betasso Preserve to Boulder Canyon or Fourmile Canyon roads.
What happening: In fall 2021, Boulder County began an initial assessment of a trail connection from the intersection of Fourmile Canyon and Boulder Canyon (by the Adventure Lodge) to Betasso.
Lefthand OHV
Project description: In 2021, the USFS was awarded a planning grant to determine if the area can be re-opened to off-highway vehicles. This process will include a full assessment of the area, including a trails inventory.
What’s happening: The planning process funding must be used by December 2024. There is no start date yet. BMA is a stakeholder and will advocate for all existing trails to remain open to mountain bikers.
North Boulder
Project description: There’s many trail opportunities arising from the 2016 North Trail Area Study Plan (NTSA) including valuable trail connections and important trail improvements.
What’s happening: BMA helped advocate for the North Sky Trail to connect North Boulder to Heil Valley Ranch on the west side of Highway 36. This new trail will use existing trail segments of the Beech Trail and Joder Ranch, while incorporating new trail to cover missing segments. Construction is expected to start in 2023. The NTSA also incorporates a redesign and rebuild of Boulder Valley Ranch trails to make them more fun and sustainable.
North Foothills Open Space
Project description: Boulder County Parks & Open Space will conduct a management plan that includes the Heil Valley Ranch, Hall Ranch and Rabbit Mountain areas.
What’s happening: The 2013 Flood put this process on hold, but exciting options are being talked about, such as a Heil to Hall connector, a Rabbit Mountain to Lyons connector, and additional trails at Heil and Hall. Stay tuned for updates!
HALL 2
Project description: Boulder County acquired the Hall 2 Open Space in 2011 and has been waiting for Aggregate Industries to complete mining reclamation before taking control of the property. This property has the potential to facilitate a Heil-to-Hall connection around the Ponderosa Overlook.
What’s happening: Mining reclamation began in Fall 2021 and is expected to take 6-9 months for the process to be completed and then another year or 2 for the state to sign off on the work.
Indian Peaks Traverse
Project description: This trail through the Indian Peaks connecting Boulder County and Grand County, would wind from the foothills of the Front Range across the high peaks of Colorado and down to the valleys of Winter Park.
What’s happening: We’re working with the key agencies and landowners to support this project. Much of this singletrack trail exists, but a few key segments are still missing, such as the Toll Trail which will be completed by 2022. After Colorado Parks & Wildlife killed the Eldo-to-Walker multi-use connector trail, we are back to the drawing board for identifying and advocating for a Boulder to Nederland singletrack connection. For now, the route is Chapman drive to Flagstaff Road to 68J to East Mag.