County

OHV riding offers Colorado’s greatest scenery

RBC I Off-highway vehicles provide great backcountry transportation in the summertime, but during Colorado’s fall season OHVs provide access to some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.
“OHVs are ideal vehicles for touring back roads and trails to see the fall colors,” said Ryan Crabb, a trails coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “You can travel at your own pace, and there is great riding throughout the state.”
Colorado’s high country forests start changing by early September and colors will be breathtaking in some areas all the way into the second week of October. Forests change at different times depending on the type of trees and elevations, but it’s guaranteed the colors of aspen and scrub oaks will be on full display throughout the state
Roads and trails suitable for OHVs can be found in the national forests in every corner of Colorado. If you’re looking for new areas for riding, you’ll find maps and route suggestions on the Parks and Wildlife website. Go to cpw.state.co.us, click on the “OHVs & Snowmobiles” button. From that page, OHV enthusiasts will find plenty of information about where to ride, links to clubs and off-road organizations, and safety and conservation information. One excellent website is www.staythetrail.org, which is funded by fees paid through annual OHV registration.
In 2013, owners of more than 160,000 OHVs registered their vehicles. From the registration fees, more than $4 million was used to fund trail construction, rehabilitation and related conservation work throughout Colorado.
Crabb explained that work is done by crews from the U.S. Forest Service, OHV clubs and youth conservation organizations. Parks and Wildlife also offers grants to government and non-profit organizations that are planning specific projects. Information about applying for grants can be found on the web site.
“Those projects allow regular maintenance of trails, which also help to sustain the environment in sensitive areas,” Crab said.
In southwest Colorado, an extensive trail network can be found on the western side of the vast San Juan National Forest, said Scot Elder, park manager at Mancos and Lone Mesa state parks.
“Given the expansive nature of that country, OHV riding is an excellent way for those recreational drivers to connect with that landscape,” Elder said. “And for many people, riding an OHV is the only way that connection will occur. We want people to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Besides helping people to enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors, OHV and snowmobile use also makes a big economic contribution. A study released this month shows that OHV activity generates nearly $950 million to the state’s economy.
But no matter where you choose to ride, Crabb cautions to always keep safety in mind.
“Riding OHVs is a safe way to travel if the machine is operated properly,” Crabb said. Riders need to remember that they’ll often be in remote areas where trail conditions can be challenging, and that they’ll sometimes be sharing roads with much bigger vehicles.

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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