A snowboarder recreates on Wolf Creek Pass on a bluebird afternoon in the Rio Grande National Forest. Credit: Nat Moore Photography

Overview

The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) engages Valley communities for winter travel planning on the Rio Grande National Forest.

Initiated

August 5, 2022

Over Snow Travel Management

Details

The Rio Grande National Forest encompasses the San Luis Valley with over 1.8 million acres of the wildest terrain in the Southern Rockies. It is home to threatened wildlife species, such as the Canada lynx and Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly. With a large average snowpack, the Rio Grande is a winter recreational hub, offering numerous opportunities for both human-powered and motorized options.

The U.S. Forest Service released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding Over Snow Travel Management, which analyzes the comprehensive impacts of over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) and its intact ecosystems.

The San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC), in partnership with the Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA), will host public meetings to engage Valley communities around the winter travel planning process. These decisions will shape the next decade of winter recreation opportunities on the landscape.

SLVEC and its partners have been involved with the RGNF Land Management Plan (LMP) since 2014, raising several concerns about the lack of components, including a clear direction for travel management. A lawsuit was filed in 2021. The challenge led to a settlement agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to proceed with a plan for Over Snow Travel Management by the end of 2023. The draft analysis is the next step to a finalized plan.

The DEIS lists four alternatives that explore different approaches to balancing winter recreation, natural resources, and wildlife corridors. The plan would transition to a "closed unless designated open" system, where routes and areas for motorized OSV use are clearly identified, unlike the current status. This would put the RGNF into compliance with the 2015 Travel Management Rule.

The public can voice their opinions through Wednesday, July 29, 2026, during a 45-day comment period. SLVEC and its partners will help guide the community through a series of workshops and webinars, in lieu of the U.S. Forest Service's traditional public meetings.