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<br />SOUTHWEST COLORADO REGIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATION AND <br />TOURISM PARTNERSHIPS FORUM <br /> <br />Priorities for Collaborative Projects <br />May, 2004 <br /> <br />Background ~ the Priority Identification Process: <br />One of the primary goals of the Southwest Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Tourism <br />Partnerships Forum is to identify priority projects that best meet public needs across the <br />region's five counties (Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan, Montezuma and Dolores). Projects have <br />been identified and prioritized through a two-step process. An initial list was generated by a <br />core group of local recreation, tourism and land conservation experts. At the first meeting of the <br />full Forum, a larger crosS-section of representatives was invited to brainstorm additional projects <br />in two categories." <br />1. Outdoor Recreation Facilities and Land Conservation <br />2. Infrastructure and Public Access <br />The 40 partiCipants then were asked to cast preferences for projects that should be highest <br />priority in the region. Summarized below are the results. <br /> <br />1. Outdoor Recreation Facilities and Land Conservation <br /> <br />.......J <br />f <br /> <br />Hiah Priority Proiects <br />A. Regional Trail Network <br />Trail projects were the most popular topic for Forum participants. Together, the identified <br />projects express a need for an inter-connected system among communities and pubric lands <br />across the region. Specific projects that generated the most interest included: <br />· Multi-use trail plans for Montezuma and la Plata Counties <br />· Durango to Bayfield Trail <br />· Development of trail systems in Bayfield, Pagosa Springs and Cortez <br />· Additional trailheads to public lands from highway corridors <br />· Development of back country Winter Sports trails for the range of uses <br />· Extension of Colorado Trail from its terminus into Durango <br /> <br />B.. Open Space Protection <br />The next most popular priority for participants was open space protection, with wide support <br />for protection of the region's scenic vistas, particularly along highway corridors. Participants <br />especially supported the need for land trusts and local communities to protect lands through <br />conservation easements and acquiring additional access across private lands to public <br />lands and river corridors. There was specific concern for protecting the Alberta Park area <br />adjacent to the Wolf Creek Ski Area. <br /> <br />c. San Juan Skyway Initiative <br />Also receiving high priority is this initiative that is focused on the San Juan Skyway Scenic <br />and Historic Byway, the first in the state. It focuses on a partnership among 5 counties, <br />communities in the corridor, local and statewide land trusts, state and federal agencies. It <br />targets open lands protection and recreation development in the Dolores and West Dolores <br /> <br />I <br />