Boulder County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to scrap a pilot program that would have alternated trail access among hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians [1].
The decision ends a controversial proposal to restrict trail use to specific groups on a rotating basis. This outcome reflects a significant victory for local outdoor enthusiasts who argued that restrictive scheduling would hinder recreational access and fail to address the root causes of trail conflict.
On July 1, 2026, the three-member board of commissioners [2] voted 2-1 against the implementation of the pilot program [3]. The proposal had sought to manage congestion and safety by limiting which users could access certain trails at specific times.
Public pushback against the plan was extensive. Rex Madden said, "More than 7,500 residents weighed in on the proposed alternating trail use pilot" [4]. This high volume of feedback highlighted a widespread preference for open access over regulated schedules.
In addition to public opposition, county staff indicated a preference for alternative strategies to manage trail interactions. These alternatives include an emphasis on education, the promotion of trail etiquette, and the improvement of sightlines to prevent accidents—rather than restricting access entirely [5].
Mountain bikers were among the most vocal opponents of the pilot. The group argued that the alternating system was an unnecessary restriction on their movement. By rejecting the pilot, the commissioners have opted to maintain the current shared-use model while pursuing non-restrictive safety improvements [5].
The vote marks a shift in how the county intends to handle the growing number of trail users in Colorado. Instead of administrative barriers, the county will now focus on behavioral changes and infrastructure updates to ensure safety for all users [5].
“More than 7,500 residents weighed in on the proposed alternating trail use pilot”
The rejection of this pilot indicates a policy preference for 'soft' management over 'hard' restrictions in public land use. By prioritizing education and infrastructure over scheduling, Boulder County is betting that behavioral norms and better visibility can resolve user conflicts without infringing on the open-access nature of the trail system.
