[NMCCSC] Action Alert: The Rio Grande National Forest Draft Winter Travel Plan is Open for Public Comment through July 29

Thu Jul 9 16:38:17 MDT 2026

I believe this notice did not go out to our Egroups.  Please familiarize
yourself with this information, as it is important to our southern Colorado
skiing opportunities.  Folks who enjoy yurts, backcountry skiing around
Wolf Creek, Chama, Cumbres, et al, have all been greatly concerned about a
change.  I'll add my comments also.
Bet Gendron

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brittany Leffel (WWA) <bleffel at winterwildlands.org>
Date: Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 10:00 AM
Subject: Action Alert: The Rio Grande National Forest Draft Winter Travel
Plan is Open for Public Comment through July 29
To: Bet Gendron <bettygendron at gmail.com>

Your voice is needed! Rio Grande National Forest Publishes Draft Winter
Travel Plan.

<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810037/632235842/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>

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.*
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810038/632235843/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>

<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810039/632235844/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>

*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)
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810040/632235845/402143964?emci=29b770c0-bf74-f111-ac9c-000d3a54bed0&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=12331192&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=>*
evaluating *four alternatives
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810041/632235846/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>*
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.*
LEARN MORE & COMMENT
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810042/632235847/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>

Visit our website
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810043/632235848/1165505886?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>
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 at winterwildlands.org>bleffel at winterwildlands.org
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*Winter Wildlands Alliance is the national nonprofit organization working
to inspire and empower people to protect America’s wild snowscapes.*

www.winterwildlands.org
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810048/632235853/-449186253?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810049/632235854/1453405568?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810050/632235855/-451478501?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/134810051/632235856/1894529283?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU5NzE2IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjI5NzA1Y2U4LTFjN2EtZjExMS1iMzM3LTAwMGQzYTE1NThjZSIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiYmV0dHlnZW5kcm9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Gh7R813zkucGLIPbE31Yl8Xp8KAVGzZJuL9Yno4DvCo=&emci=8d38a03f-5479-f111-ac9c-000d3a14b6d6&emdi=29705ce8-1c7a-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=12331192>

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

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