Proposed El Paso County, CO
OHV Park

Project Mission Statement:

The development of an Off-Highway Vehicle Park (OHV) within El Paso County that will provide year-round OHV riding opportunities.

Needs assessment:

  • El Paso County has the second highest number of registered motorcycle permits in the State of Colorado.
     
  • OHV registrations in the State of Colorado are increasing an average of 14% each year.
     
  • The variety of off-highway riding opportunities in El Paso County is limited with no County or City parks allowing OHV use.
     
  • The number of regional off-highway riding opportunities is shrinking with reductions in OHV trails in Pueblo and the Pike National Forest.
     
  • The County Parks Advisory Committee elected to include the OHV Park in its Master Plan in 2005, due to the significant number of motorcycle riders in the County, the growth of OHV permits statewide, the exclusion of OHV opportunities in existing City and County Parks, and the declining number of OHV trails in the region.
     
  • The County received significant community support for the OHV Park by receiving petitions with over 1,400 signatures, numerous letters of support, significant monetary pledges and several hundred hours of volunteer support.
     
  • The initial system would be designed as single track trail (18-24" wide), designed only for motorcycle use. If it is determined that the facility can accomodate wider trails at a later date, the County may elect to allow other types of OHV use.
     
  • Trails would be designed by a consultant with a proven track record in designing OHV trail systems that minimize environmental impacts.
     
  • The County plans to construct only 20 miles of OHV trail, even though the overall site has already been determined that it can sustain 50-60 miles. Additional trails may be considered at a later date, if it is determined that the site can sustain trail expansion without significant environmental impact.
     
  • All OHVs using the park will be required to pass a stringent sound test before admittance.
     
  • The proposed OHV park site is immediately adjacent to the Waste Management landfill.
     
  • Sensitive, natural resource areas will be excluded from OHV trail use.

Rainbow Trail Image

Enjoying the beautiful scenery of Colorado is not a right or privilege that is somehow "reserved" only for non-motorized recreationists. As shown in this picture of a rider on the Rainbow Trail, in the heart of the Sangre de Cristos, Colorado riders also like to get out and enjoy the great outdoors! And as you can see, this motorcycle trail is no worse for wear than if it had simply been hiked by hikers. In fact, we even came upon a hiker on the trail, stopped for a while to chat with him and breathe in the fresh air and share a Power Bar. Imagine...

Single Track2

Here's another great example of what high quality single track looks like on the ground. It doesn't get any better than this!