WHEREAS recreational trails are an important economic driver for Colorado and its West Slope economies by drawing visitors to their communities for tourism and recreation opportunities; and
WHEREAS federal agencies control approximately 40% of Colorado’s land mass and it is important to assist the Forest Service and BLM, as well as other public agencies, to maintain access to trails and roads on Colorado’s public lands; and
WHEREAS the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds are generated by gas taxes paid by motorized off-highway vehicles and are used to fund the construction and maintenance of all types of trails throughout Colorado; and
WHEREAS non-motorized trails do not have a dedicated funding source in the State of Colorado; and
WHEREAS the RTP Funds are collected and distributed by the Federal Highway Administration and are a pass-through from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to the State Trails Program administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW); and
WHEREAS RTP fund allocations regulations require 30% of the funds to be used for non-motorized trails, 40% of the funds to be used for multiple-use trails and 30% of the funds to be used for motorized trails; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports the continued full funding of the RTP program and supports the full pass-through of those funds to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s State Trail Program for the state recreational trails program, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports efforts that continue to build relationships with federal land managers and CPW to encourage the use of and access to all public lands through a robust network of trails for motorized and non-motorized users throughout Colorado.
Adopted 3/28/2014
Renewed 4/12/2019