Hi Bet,

The Rio Grande National Forest is one step closer to making one of the most important winter management decisions in decades. The Forest is proposing a designated system of routes and areas for over-snow vehicle (OSV) use across the 1.8-million-acre Rio Grande National Forest. This will determine where people snowmobile, backcountry ski, snowshoe, and enjoy winter landscapes across the forest for years to come. It would become the first OSV plan in Colorado to comply with the 2015 Travel Management Rule and EXPLORE Act. 

Now is your opportunity to help shape the final plan. The Forest Service is accepting public comments through July 29th, 2026.

Why This Matters

The Rio Grande National Forest is home to some of Colorado's most iconic winter recreation opportunities—from the Continental Divide Trail and Wolf Creek Pass to Chama Basin. It also contains important winter habitat for Canada lynx, elk, mule deer, and countless other species that rely on healthy winter landscapes.

What's Included in the Draft Plan?

The Forest Service has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) evaluating four alternatives for managing winter travel on the the Rio Grande National Forest. The plan would transition to a "closed unless designated open" system, where routes and areas for motorized over-snow vehicle use are clearly identified on an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map (OSVUM).

Each alternative takes a different approach to balancing winter recreation, wintering wildlife, and natural resource protection.

After reviewing the DEIS, Winter Wildlands Alliance, alongside our partners in Colorado and New Mexico, is advocating for Alternative 4 because it offers the most balanced approach to winter recreation. It maintains motorized access while expanding protections for wildlife, reducing recreation conflicts, and designating nearly 400,000 additional acres for non-motorized recreation.

Visit our website for guidance on drafting an effective comment, and consider attending one of our community workshops to learn more about the proposal before the July 29 deadline.

Thank you,

Brittany Leffel

Colorado Policy Manager

bleffel@winterwildlands.org 

Winter Wildlands Alliance is the national nonprofit organization working to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.

www.winterwildlands.org

Winter Wildlands Alliance
910 Main St
Boise, ID 83702
United States

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