The Annual COHVCO Workshop and Training was held in September in Glenwood Springs, CO

The Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO) partnered with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to hold its annual OHV workshop and training Sept 6-8th in Glenwood Springs CO which was attended by 86 people. This event has been held annually for over 20 years to bring members of the OHV community together, including enthusiasts, clubs, Forest Service, BLM, CPW and local government. This event is only possible at this level due to the decades of grant support the effort has received from the CPW OHV program.

The focus of this year’s event was to highlight the many successful grant funded OHV projects, which the recipients shared and discussed with the attendees.

The Forest Service, BLM and CPW provided agency updates and highlighted new information and any upcoming changes to programs and procedures. COHVCO leadership led a discussion on new laws and policies that may impact OHV use in Colorado.

The Forest Service Region 2 chainsaw coordinator, Brian Teets, shared important information on the current chainsaw policy and discussed a state strategy to get more people chainsaw certified. The Forest Service plans to use an OHV funded grant to begin and fund staff expenses for some of this saw training.

The Forest Service and BLM both discussed the policies and agency differences on the use of a Category Exclusion (CAT EX or CE) when performing trail work, construction or reroutes. One of the earlier presentations/ success stories relied heavily on a trail reroute using a CE and discussed how that CE was utilized.

COHVCO presented their annual awards to many worthy recipients this year including two lifetime achievement awards beginning presented to Jerry Abboud, who has spearheaded COHVCO efforts for more than 30 years and Tom Metsa who led the CPW OHV program for more than 22 years. The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Heather Hormel for her years of service as Chair of the OHV Subcommittee and representing OHV recreation on the State Trails Committee; the Project of the Year was awarded to the USFS efforts around the Buckhorn Ranger Station on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District which is restoring and reopening almost 60 miles of single track heavily impacted by the East Troublesome Fire; The Ute Pass Iron Goats were recognized as the club of the year due to the their years of effort in reopening the Palisade Wall area which reconnected many routes in the Palisade area outside Gunnison. The Northern Colorado Trail Riders were also recognized for their efforts in the Donner Pass Project. The reinvigoration of this club has been a major step towards motorized single track in northern Colorado being elevated to a priority management concern. Patrick Shaw on the Clear Creek Ranger District was also recognized for his years of supporting OHV recreation in an area that is heavily used but has very limited opportunities. The CPW partner of the year award was won by the entire CPW trails program due to their decades of effort in making the OHV program function to support the huge successes we have come to know. The BLM manager of the year was won by San Riebold for her efforts on the White River Field Office, where her vision and passion for OHVs has set a great foundation for opportunities in the area. The US Forest Service partner of the year was won by Marv Hatton, who has been a tireless advocate for OHV opportunities on the Divide Ranger District.

The workshop ended on Sunday with a group ride and discussion up Transfer Trail on the White River National Forest, above Glenwood Springs, led by the good management team from the local Ranger District. Networking with fellow OHV managers and enthusiasts was also an important component of this tour.

Discussion and planning is already underway for the 2025 COHVCO Annual Conference and NOHVCC Great Trails workshops. For more information on how to get copies of presentations please contact [email protected].