Dear Supporter of Public Lands in Colorado,

We are in critical need of your immediate help! 

As you know, a coalition of over 40 Colorado organizations representing hundreds of thousands of Colorado sportsman, conservationists, law enforcement, elected officials and trail users have been working with the State Parks Board to make much-needed changes to Colorado’s OHV Program.  This program distributes $3M-$4M each year in grants but does not substantially fund critical law enforcement or OHV damage mitigation efforts.

Our coalition has pushed for reforms that are common across the U.S. and will:

1) allow for a portion of the fund to go towards law enforcement and habitat restoration efforts and

2) ensure that the OHV Subcommittee that scores the grant applications and awards the grants includes members representing the sportsman and conservation communities.  Similar reforms have been supported by OHV user groups outside of Colorado, because they ensure that OHV recreation is protected and that illegal and reckless OHV use is stopped.

Unfortunately, radical Colorado OHV organizations have fought these reforms every step of the way.

ACTION NEEDED NOW!

The Parks Board needs to hear from conservationists before their next meeting, on May 7. 

At 8:50 a.m. on May 7 at the Woodland Park City Council Chambers (220 W. South Avenue), the State Parks Board will vote on a compromise package of OHV reforms.  Please consider attending the meeting yourself.

Feel free to personalize your letter.  Use any points you want and/or these:

*  I support reallocating sticker funds to law enforcement and remediation activities.

*  As [a hunter, angler, skier, snowshoer, hiker, camper, etc.] I am regularly out enjoying and experiencing our public lands, and witnessing firsthand the increasingly detrimental impacts of ORV overuse and abuse.

*  OHV money should be used for wildlife habitat improvements, promoting public safety, and for law enforcement to police the people in these sports that choose not to follow the rules.

As always, thanks for making a difference.

Also see this op-ed (“Reallocate Colorado OHV Funds,” 3/16/10) in New West:

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/reallocate_colorado_ohv_funds1/C41/L41/