The West End is home to a large network of trails. People can spend a lifetime exploring the extensive networks of double-track, cattle trails, seismic survey roads and old uranium mining and exploration roads across the public lands surrounding this beautiful corner of Colorado.
For the last decade, the West End Trails Alliance (WETA) has been at work inventorying an extensive range of trails in an effort to provide information to the local community and general public about recreational opportunities in the area, and to encourage people to get out and explore.
The West End Trails Alliance has also been building new single-track trails in the area, including sections of the Paradox Trail, the Nucla Range Loops and Camp V trails. WETA volunteers and board members have been building their skill sets as trail builders to prepare the public for the organization’s biggest project yet.
What project is this?
Well, this is certainly not a new project. For the last five years, WETA has been working on a new single-track trail system proposal, which the board refers to as the “Sawtooth and Naturita Flats Trails Project.” Community members may recall a series of public meetings held in 2019, during which community members, leaders and stakeholders came together to review the initial project and provide input. Those meetings helped shape the trail proposal as it is today.
For several years WETA has been “patiently waiting in line” for this trail project to be the focus of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM offices only work on one trail project at a time, and WETA’s time is coming soon.
“We would like to invite the West End community to re-engage with us on this project, as we are close to entering the next phase, called NEPA (National Environmental Phase Act),” WETA representatives said in a news release.
WETA will be hosting a community open house at the Naturita Community Library on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project, its long history, where we are today, what will be happening next and how you can get involved,” representatives said. “We are always welcoming respectful debate and dialogue, and input from a wide range of user groups and perspectives, including the motorized community,”
Representative said that will help ensure the end product reflects the desires and interests of the local community, and considers all pertinent factors.
While the meeting on Sept. 10 is not the official start to the BLM’s NEPA process, BLM representatives will be present at this WETA-led meeting. Additional meetings will be conducted for the Sawtooth and Naturita Flats Trails Project, hosted by the BLM, when the project officially moves to the NEPA phase.
“We hope that you will come to this open house and engage with us on this project,” representatives said.
WETA board members can be reached via email at westendtrailalliance@gmail.com. All are invited to follow the Facebook page and/or join the Facebook group West End Trails.
