Jackson County receives GOCO grant to guide management of popular OHV area

KREMMLING – With a recently awarded grant from the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, Jackson County is taking a leading role in ensuring responsible off-highway vehicle recreation continues at the popular North Sand Hills north of Walden.

Approximately 20,000 people visit this 2,000-acre recreational area each summer. The majority are taking advantage of the only dune complex in Colorado open to OHV use.

The area encompasses a variety of jurisdictions, including Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Parks, State Land Board, and private land. Although Jackson County is not a land-owner in this area, it is a key member of the North Sand Hills Working Group, which includes government and diverse private entities working to collaboratively manage this unique area.

Jackson County will use the $37,500 grant with $5,000 of its own money to fund a Planning and Management Study for the area, which will be developed by a consultant working through the working group. Many partners in the working group will be matching the monetary contribution with in-kind work. Jackson County issued a Request for Proposals Feb. 17.

“Jackson County is taking a proactive, lead role in this project to ensure continued recreational OHV use of the area,” said Jackson County Administrator Kent Crowder. “This will ensure the continued positive benefits to the local economy as a result of this outdoor recreation.”

The plan, due in the spring of 2007, will provide guidance for future amenities in the area, strategies for natural/cultural resource stewardship and conservation, suggested funding options, and guidance for multiple partnership management of the area’s recreation uses and facilities.

“We are looking forward to working with Jackson County, the other members of the working group and the public to develop this plan,” said John Ruhs, Field Manager for the BLM Kremmling Field Office, which administers a 1,400-acre special recreation management area within the North Sand Hills.

A major part of the project will be hearing from those who visit the area about what new facilities and infrastructure are desired, as well as suggestions for funding the on-going maintenance and operation of the area’s amenities. Several public meetings on this plan development will be held this summer. Questions about the project or request for proposals can be addressed to Kent Crowder, 970-723-4660 or colojacksonadm@aol.com.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) is the result of a 1992 citizens initiative that directs a portion of Lottery proceeds to preserve and enhance Colorado’s parks, wildlife, trails, rivers and open space. Since 1994, GOCO has awarded a total of $2.0 million for open space, community outdoor recreation and Colorado State Forest projects in Jackson County.

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