Telluride Trail Funding

The Opt in for Trails campaign was created to fund ongoing trail maintenance and new trail projects in the Telluride region. Without another funding plan in place, Telluride Mountain Club has taken on financial planning for trail needs on our public lands with the help of local businesses.

It costs upwards of $35,000 to construct one mile of new trail in the Telluride region. On top of that, it costs $1,000 to maintain one mile of trail annually. Now is the time to work together to create a funding stream as our outdoor recreation numbers continue to grow. You can learn more about our trail planning and projects in need of funding here and you can learn more about Opt in for Trails here. Don’t forget to DONATE HERE.

Current Participating Businesses

Box Canyon Bicycles – 1% opt-in at checkout

Timberline Ace Hardware in Telluride (July only) – Round up option at checkout

Jagged Edge Mountain Gear – All TMtC hat and t-shirt sales support Opt in for Trails

When visiting these businesses, we hope you will consider a 1% or round up donation at checkout!

The premise of the initiative is to fundraise through participating businesses who create a pass-through donation opportunity for customers to contribute at checkout via:
1) a voluntary 1% donation,
2) a round-up option at checkout
3) a custom option that works best for the business, or
4) a direct donation – donate now

We encourage your business to join the cause and support new trails and trail maintenance in the Telluride region. Ready to get started? Email telluridemountainclub@gmail.com to learn more.

Opt in for Trails This Summer
Support new trails and trail maintenance at local Telluride retailers.

Telluride, Colorado (July 3, 2020) – Telluride has long been known for its dramatic mountains and beautiful vistas. Historic mining roads and peaceful singletrack trails grant access to our greater backyard and the breathtaking scenery of the San Juan Mountains. In 2015, the Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) published a simple survey seeking feedback from the public on the current state of Telluride’s trails. The survey asked respondents where they thought new trails should be, what kind of connectors would be helpful and what trails needed better maintenance. In 2017, TMtC submitted its first trails proposal to the United States Forest Service (USFS) for new trails in the region based on the 2015 survey results. Today, TMtC is hard at work on various trail projects and planning for new trails over the next ten years. The biggest hurdle the Club now faces is how to fund maintenance on current trails, afford new trail construction and keep them maintained once they are built.

Telluride does not have perpetual funding in place to maintain current trails, construct new trails, create a cohesive signage program, replace bridges and more. Telluride’s regional trails are continually experiencing increased use as population and tourism numbers grow. At the same time, USFS budgets are tight and no other entity is able to take on the responsibility of and financial planning for regional recreation on public lands.

Did you know it can cost upwards of $35,000 to construct one mile of new trail in the Telluride region? On top of that, it costs $1,000 to maintain one mile of trail annually. Because there is no funding plan in place, TMtC has created Opt in for Trails as a fundraising mechanism to help maintain and enhance our regional public lands and outdoor recreation resources. Now is the time to work together to create a funding stream as our outdoor recreation numbers continue to grow.

New trail projects that will require funding in the next year include a replacement bridge on the Jud Wiebe Trail (estimated at $191,000), a new Mill Creek Bypass Trail and an Eider to Mill Creek Connector Trail (once alignments and NEPA have been completed and approved).

The premise of Opt in for Trials is to fundraise through participating businesses who create a pass-through donation opportunity for customers to contribute at checkout via one of the following:
1) a voluntary 1% donation,
2) a round-up option at checkout, or
3) a custom option that works best for the business.

This July, TMtC is launching Opt in for Trails with three local retailers:

• Box Canyon Bicycles– 1% opt-in at checkout
• Timberline Ace Hardware in Telluride(July only) – Round up option at checkout
• Jagged Edge Mountain Gear– All TMtC hat and t-shirt sales support Opt in for Trails

When visiting these businesses, we hope you will consider a 1% or round up donation at checkout to support trails in the Telluride region.

Beyond fundraising through the new Opt in for Trails program, TMtC actively applies for grants to help fund its trail projects. San Miguel County, the towns of Mountain Village and Telluride, the Telluride Foundation and San Miguel Power Association have all helped fund TMtC trail projects in Telluride. Beyond these avenues, TMtC relies heavily on private donations.

“This summer, we will be placing three trail counters on popular trails in the region to get a better understanding of usage numbers. This will better our chances with granting as we’ll have a more accurate sense of how many people actually use our regional trails and better indicate our need for disbursement.” says Josh Borof, Board President. “TMtC would like to remind the public that if they come across a trail counter, please don’t touch or move it. These are not cameras; they simply monitor numbers.”

2020 has been a challenging year but trails have proven to be a necessity to the greater Telluride community. For those wanting to give back to their beloved trails but don’t have the monetary means, TMtC has two public trail workdays scheduled for Friday, July 17 and Friday, August 7. More details on these volunteer opportunities can be found on TMtC’s website, telluridemountainclub.org. A day of trail work is an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you have specific questions or are interested in donating to Opt in for Trails, you can visit the TMtC website, telluridemountainclub.org or email, telluridemountainclub@gmail.com.

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About Telluride Mountain Club

Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to advocate for safe, accessible, enjoyable and respectful opportunities for human-powered recreational activities in the Telluride region, through education, awareness and collaboration.