After conversations with City of Boulder Parks & Recreation staff, the City has confirmed that the dam road and the eastern access point remain open to bicycles. The boulder has been repositioned so riders no longer need to dismount, and the City is updating the signage to better reflect its intent.

According to Parks & Recreation Director Ali Rhodes, the City’s immediate concern is safety where cyclists enter the South Shore Recreation Area near the boat ramp parking lot. Staff have observed an increase in bicycle traffic, including larger group rides and faster riders, and are asking cyclists to slow down and ride single file as they enter the area. The City also shared that it is interested in exploring a longer-term solution, potentially including a separated path that would improve safety while preserving this important regional connection.

We’re encouraged by that commitment and have asked to be involved as those long-term improvements are explored. BMA, Coalition 4 Cyclists, the Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol, and the adaptive cycling community all bring valuable perspectives that can help create solutions that improve safety while maintaining access.

Finally, thank you to everyone who reached out. We first learned about the new boulder from a Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol report on June 17, and many of you followed up with photos, emails, and questions. Those reports helped us engage with City staff, better understand the situation, and advocate for maintaining this important connection.

We’ll keep you posted as the conversation continues.

The post Good News: Bicycle Access Through Boulder Reservoir Remains Open appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

The post New Sign Raises Questions About Regional Trail Access at Boulder Reservoir appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

This afternoon, the Boulder County Commissioners met with Parks & Open Space staff to provide direction on the Alternating Trail Use Pilot. Rather than pursue no-bike days or no-hike days on county trails, the Commissioners directed staff to focus on many of the solutions the community supported: education, improved trail design, better sightlines, etiquette campaigns, and expanded stewardship. One simple message summed up the discussion: Be nice. Say hi.

We’re relieved that no existing bike access will be lost. More importantly, we believe today’s discussion opens the door to a broader conversation about improving our trail system rather than restricting access to it.

BMA will continue advocating for practical, long-term solutions, including:

• Purpose-built bike-only downhill trails to create dedicated riding opportunities while reducing pressure on shared-use trails.

• Better trail design to improve safety and sightlines.

• Sustainable reroutes and new trail connections that disperse use.

• Directional trail systems to improve visitor experience.

• Clear signage, better trail etiquette education, and expanded volunteer stewardship.

BMA is ready to help turn this direction into action. We bring together advocacy, volunteers, community partners, and expert trail builder Mike Rutter to build real solutions. The path forward is clear: invest in better trails, better design, and better stewardship – not reduced access. We’re ready to work with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, the Commissioners, partner organizations, and fellow trail users to make it happen.

Thank you again for speaking up, staying engaged, and supporting BMA. Today’s conversation was an important step forward, and we’re excited for what comes next.

Watch the recording of the meeting, the work session starts at 2:19:50.

The post You showed up and we kept bike access! appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

Thank you for the significant amount of work that has gone into the community engagement process and today’s staff report. We appreciate the effort to evaluate the survey results, identify areas of agreement, and look for practical ways to improve visitor experiences on our trail system.

After reviewing the report, we’d like to offer a few thoughts before this afternoon’s work session.

We appreciate that the recommended alternatives move away from the original concept of an alternating trail use pilot that would prohibit mountain bike access on alternating days. We see that as a positive step and an opportunity to broaden the conversation about how Boulder County can improve visitor experiences while maintaining access to public trails.

Our biggest concern is that the report presents three alternatives, but each assumes that some form of access or use restriction is necessary to improve the visitor experience. Missing from the discussion is what we believe should be Alternative 0: investing in the solutions the community broadly supports, including education, improved trail design, better sightlines, etiquette campaigns, and expanded stewardship, without reducing access to public trails.

We believe this option is the one most consistent with the public feedback. The county’s survey of more than 7,500 participants found that 74% opposed an alternating use pilot, 67% selected “No Pilot” when asked where one should occur, and respondents across user groups consistently favored management strategies over access restrictions. We encourage the Board to consider those widely supported improvements as a standalone alternative rather than only as additions to a pilot.

If the Board would still like to explore directional management, we encourage consideration of a simpler approach than Alternative 1. Rather than implementing mandatory directions that reverse every month, consider establishing a recommended riding direction similar to Nelson Loop at Hall Ranch. Trailforks data suggests riders are already largely self-selecting their direction of travel, with approximately 75% of rides on Ponderosa occurring clockwise and 59% of rides on Wild Turkey occurring counterclockwise. Building on those existing travel patterns would encourage predictable rider behavior without requiring additional staffing, enforcement, or complex monthly changes. It would also allow the county to evaluate whether a recommended direction alone provides measurable benefits before considering more restrictive management tools.

We also remain concerned about the proposal affecting Wapiti Trail. Wapiti is much more than a single trail. It is the primary connector between Lyons and Boulder and links together much of the western Heil Valley Ranch trail system. Restricting access to that connection one day each week fragments the network and limits visitors’ ability to experience the property as a connected system.

We also appreciate staff’s effort to explore a bike-only day at Hall Ranch. While we understand the intent, we don’t believe it meaningfully addresses the underlying question of visitor conflict. Because Antelope and Bitterbrush are point-to-point trails rather than loops, riders would still experience many of the same interactions with one another. If the goal is to evaluate whether directional trail management improves visitor experiences, a recommended directional approach at Heil is likely to provide more meaningful information than restricting access at Hall.

Looking beyond today’s discussion, we hope this process evolves into a broader conversation about how Boulder County can continue improving its trail system. BMA believes the most effective long-term strategy includes:

• Better trail design to reduce surprise encounters and improve sightlines.
• Sustainable reroutes that protect natural resources while making trails safer and more enjoyable.
• Directional trail systems where they demonstrably improve visitor experience.
• Clear signage, user education, and expanded volunteer stewardship.
• Additional trail connections, loops, and new trail opportunities that disperse use and reduce pressure on existing corridors.
• Purpose-built bike-only downhill trails where appropriate to provide dedicated riding opportunities while reducing pressure on shared-use trails.

Finally, the report notes that many respondents raised concerns about equity in trail access, observing that Boulder County offers many hiker-only trails but no bike-only trails. As the county looks to the future, we believe that conversation should extend beyond reallocating access on existing trails. Across the combined Boulder County Parks & Open Space and City of Boulder OSMP trail systems west of Highways 93 and 36, there are approximately 152 miles of singletrack, but only 67 miles, about 43%, are open to mountain bikes. Rather than continuing to divide access on the limited mileage available today, we hope future conversations focus on expanding trail opportunities, improving connectivity, and creating purpose-built experiences that benefit all trail users.

We appreciate the opportunity to continue working with Parks & Open Space, the Commissioners, and our fellow trail users. We remain optimistic that, together, we can build a trail system that expands access, protects natural resources, and provides exceptional experiences for all visitors.

The post Our Letter to the Commissioners: Build Better Trails, Not More Restrictions appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

Update: Project moved to 2026

The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department is gearing up for a major project to improve the North Foothills Trail. This initiative, outlined in the North Trails Study Area (NTSA) Management Plan, aims to enhance the trail's sustainability, protect ecological resources, and deliver a better experience for mountain bikers, runners, hikers, and equestrians alike.

What’s Changing?

This project will include rerouting approximately 1.3 miles of the trail to address steep grades, erosion, and drainage issues. Improvements will include:

• Enhanced Trail Design: Trail grades will range between 4% and 8%, with gravel surfacing to prevent muddy conditions and ensure durability.
• Mountain Biking Features: Expect enhancements like bermed turns and optional challenge features for riders, while still accommodating all user groups.
• Accessibility: The trail will include features to support adaptive mountain biking, ensuring users with disabilities can enjoy the space.
• Ecological Restoration: Approximately 0.85 miles of old trail segments will be closed and restored with native vegetation to minimize ecological impact.

When Will It Happen?

Construction will start at the end of June 2026 and could wrap up by late 2026. OSMP will provide regular updates as work progresses.

Overview of the planned improvements

1. Highway 36  Underpass: The underpass connecting the Foothills Trailhead to the trails west of Highway 36 will remain unchanged. All planned improvements are focused on the trails west of the highway.

2. Rerouting: This section of Foothills will be routed out of the rocky ravine and moved up on the hillside. This will help with water drainage and erosion issues.

3. North Sky Intersection: The Foothills Trail will be rerouted to meet the North Sky Trail at the same level as the bridge.

4. Underpass: The Foothills Trail will be rerouted to avoid the current path under the bridge and the steep hill leading to the cloverleaf entrance.

5. Trail Realignment: The steep trail sections west of 2nd St will be re-routed to a more sustainable alignment.

The post North Foothills Improvements Coming in 2026 appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

This is not an endorsement of any candidate or political party. It is an endorsement of better governance.

BMA works with Boulder County every day. We participate in planning processes, attend public meetings, build trails, organize volunteers, and advocate for better outdoor recreation. We’ve learned that good decisions come from hearing a diversity of perspectives, asking tough questions, and taking the time to find better solutions.

That’s why we believe Boulder County residents deserve the opportunity to vote on whether the current three-commissioner structure is still the best model for a county of more than 330,000 people.

Better Decisions Through More Perspectives

Three commissioners carry an enormous responsibility. Together they oversee a county with mountain communities, agricultural areas, growing cities, open space, transportation systems, public health, housing, and much more.

With only three commissioners, major decisions often come down to a single swing vote. When one person becomes the deciding vote on issues that affect hundreds of thousands of residents, the system naturally becomes more vulnerable to political pressure and less resilient to differing viewpoints. Supporters of the proposal argue that a five-member board would distribute that responsibility across more elected officials and encourage broader discussion before important decisions are made.

As an organization that has participated in countless county discussions, we believe better decisions are usually made when more voices are at the table.

Our Experience

Over the past months, many of you have followed the proposed alternating trail use pilot. Regardless of where people stood on that issue, one thing became clear: county decisions affect a tremendous number of people. BMA believes those decisions are strongest when they are informed by a wider range of perspectives and experiences. Whether we’re discussing trails, transportation, wildfire resilience, housing, agriculture, or public health, Boulder County is more complex today than it was decades ago. Governance should evolve as our communities evolve.

Let the Voters Decide

Ultimately, this effort is about giving voters a choice. Signing the petition does not change the structure of county government. It simply allows Boulder County residents to decide for themselves whether moving from three commissioners to five would better serve our county.

BMA believes that conversation is worth having, and that Boulder County voters should have the opportunity to make that decision at the ballot box.

If you’d like to learn more about the proposal, visit Big Tent Boulder County.

Sign the Petition

• Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. – noon at Redstone Cyclery 454 Main St, Lyons, CO 80540
• Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 – 9 a.m. at BMA’s Bike to Work Day breakfast station at Stio, 1505 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

The post BMA supports BigTentBoCo: Every Voice Matters appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

On June 9, Denver 7 covered the story with a focus on Lyons.

“If you close trails to bikes on certain days, that does nothing more than concentrate more use on those other days. It creates problems, it doesn’t solve any problems,” one survey respondent said.

Business owners in Lyons have also raised concerns that restricting trail access could hurt visitor spending.

The Colorado Sun wrote about the issue on June 12.

“If the problem you are trying to address is conflict, condensing mountain bike use into fewer days of the week seems like you are going to compress the problem and force the problem into other areas,” said Eric Kean, the owner of the MainStage Brewing in Lyons.

“I think every outdoor user group out here wants to work on this together and cooperatively. We need this to be transparent. We are talking about open space, not closed space.”

A Lyons resident wrote an opinion piece for the Daily Camera on June 9.

“For many of us, these trails are not merely a recreational amenity. In fact, they are the reason we moved to Lyons, and they are woven into the structure of our lives.”

No decision about the pilot has been made. While the Parks & Open Space survey is closed, there are still a couple things you can do:

Email the Boulder County Commissioners

• Respectful comments on the proposed pilot, especially those that ask for solutions to improve the trail experience for everyone instead of limiting access for some, can be emailed to the Commissioners at commissioners@bouldercounty.gov.

Attend the Commissioners’ Work Session on June 30

The Boulder County Commissioners will get an update from Parks & Open Space staff regarding the survey and open house comments and their staff’s capacity to manage a pilot at a public work session meeting on Tuesday, June 30 at 1 p.m. at the downtown Pearl Street courthouse, 1325 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302. While the commissioners won’t be taking public comments during the meeting, the public is welcome to attend.

The post Town of Lyons Opposes Alternating Trail Use Pilot appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

The report arrives at an important moment. County staff are preparing to discuss the proposed Alternating Trail Use Pilot with the County Commissioners on June 30, and the study provides valuable context for that conversation.

The biggest takeaway? People really like Boulder County trails.

Visitors rated county parks an average of 9 out of 10. Ninety-four percent reported experiencing no conflict during their visit, and more than 70% said trails were not crowded. Overall, the study paints a picture of a trail system that is working well for most visitors.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. Some locations, particularly Hall Ranch, experience higher levels of crowding and trail-user conflict than the county average. Hall Ranch also stood out for another reason: it had the highest percentage of visitors who felt there are not enough trail miles available.

Throughout the discussion about alternating trail use, BMA has consistently argued that the question isn’t simply how we separate users. It’s also whether we are providing enough high-quality trail opportunities to meet demand.

The visitor study suggests that many users may be thinking about the issue in similar ways. Across the county, one of the most common suggestions for improving the visitor experience was adding more trails. At Hall Ranch, requests for additional trails and mountain bike trail opportunities were among the most frequently mentioned improvements.

The study also provides important perspective on trail conflict. When visitors did report conflict, the most common issues involved trail-sharing behavior, right-of-way confusion, communication, and etiquette. These are also challenges that can be addressed through trail design, education, directional trail systems, improved sightlines, and additional capacity.

The study does not tell us whether alternating trail use would reduce those conflicts. It does, however, highlight where challenges exist and what visitors say they would like to see improved.

If the pilot moves forward, we hope decision makers consider the full picture. If a small number of popular destinations are experiencing pressure, the answer is not restricting access on certain days. The answer is creating more opportunities, better trail experiences, and additional capacity where it makes sense.

Boulder County has built a good multi-use trail system, but it has not kept up with the needs of the community. The 2025 Visitor Study confirms that visitors value it, enjoy it, but want progressive and modern trail improvement to occur. The false narrative that trails are bad for the land does not agree with the community’s desire for a balance of conservation and recreation.

We remain committed to working with county staff, volunteers, and trail users of all backgrounds to create solutions that improve the experience for everyone while expanding opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors. The visitor study gives us a useful snapshot of where we are today. The challenge now is deciding where we go next.

The post What the 2025 Visitor Study Tells Us About the Alternating Trail Use Pilot appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

 Cardinal Mill

Boulder County Parks & Open Space has implemented a temporary wildlife closure in an area near the Tucker Property and Cardinal Mill in Nederland.

The closure is in place through September 15 to protect sensitive wildlife. Boulder County is asking all visitors to respect closure signs and avoid the affected area while the closure is in effect.

At this time, BMA has not received a detailed map of the closure area and is awaiting additional information from Boulder County. We will share updates with the community as they become available.

We know this area is popular with outdoor recreationists. This closure is temporary and is intended to provide wildlife the space needed during a sensitive time of year.

We will provide additional information as Boulder County releases more details about the affected area. For questions about this closure, email posinfo@bouldercounty.gov

(Approximate area of closure, Hick's Gulch and Switzerland Railway for historic reference)

The post Temporary Wildlife Closure Near the Tucker Property and Cardinal Mine appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.

The post Trails Are Good. Let’s Build More Great Ones. appeared first on Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.