Dear Editor,

For all who love the outdoors and wildlife of Colorado you can help preserve it and earn some cash at the same time. The Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is offering a $500 reward for reports or information leading to a conviction of those responsible for illegal trail construction on public lands in Colorado. Constructing trail on any public land that has not been approved by the land manager is illegal. Illegal trails destroy wildlife habitat and create higher density recreation traffic and ultimately displace wildlife or alter natural patterns of the ecosystem. Although “social trails” may be in the Nederland history of trail development it can no longer be in our future of trail development. The “good old days” are over, there are simply too many people and there will only be more.

Population and recreation growth ensure a growing negative impact from illegal trail construction, don’t mess up this slice of heaven we have in Nederland. Land managers in Colorado (USFS, CPW, local governments) recognize the issue but they need your help to police our public lands.

This BHA reward program also applies to illegal off-highway vehicle use, e-bike use on non-motorized trails, and illegal dumping. Full details on the program can be found at https://www.backcountryhunters.org/bha_ s_ ohv_ reward_ fund. When you see illegal activity, document it with your phone or trail camera and report to the appropriate land manager law enforcement agency. For issues on USFS land in the Boulder Ranger District call 303-541-2500 and ask for the new USFS Boulder County law enforcement officer. If your information leads to a conviction, follow the instructions on the BHA website to claim your reward! Kris Hess Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Boulder County Assistant Regional Director