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Shape Winter Recreation on the Rio Grande

The Rio Grande National Forest encompasses the San Luis Valley with over 1.8 million acres of the wildest terrain in the Southern Rockies. Use your voice to help shape the next 20 years of winter recreation on your public lands.


[EXTENDED] Deadline: Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:59PM ET


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, among other winter recreation activities, on the Rio Grande and its intact ecosystems.


We recommend that the USFS adopt a modified Alternative 4 as the Agency Preferred Alternative, with additions from Alternative 2 that focus more on conservation efforts, by keeping motorized recreation on routes rather than in open areas.


A skier glides down the mountain on a bluebird day on Wolf Creek Pass.
A skier on Wolf Creek Pass. The Continental Divide Trail, Wolf Creek Pass, and the Chama Basin are wild landscapes popular for snowmobiling, backcountry skiing, and other winter activities. Credit: Nat Moore

SLVEC and its partner have three main points:

  1. Preserve quiet recreation.

    1. OSV noise, exhaust, and speed of travel increase conflict, reduce safety, and compromise desired experiences for non-motorized winter users, including on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

  2. Protect wildlife and their habitats.

    1. Without comprehensive recommendations, OSV use will further stress and displace animals from their limited winter habitats, when they are most vulnerable due to cold weather and limited forage. This includes sensitive species for both plant and animal communities, such as Canada lynx.

    2. A snow depth requirement of 24 inches will provide the greatest proposed protection for resources, soils, vegetation, subnivean species, and other elements.

  3. Reduces motorized environmental conflicts.

    1. This plan should exclude OSV use in both recommended and designated wilderness areas, limit noise as an environmental pollutant, and design a condition-based implementation process that allows USFS employees to take immediate action.


Find more details on these points linked below:



The [EXTENDED] deadline is Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:59PM ET.


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