Boulder County survey finds broad opposition to alternating-use trail pilot

Boulder County parks and open space staff said a survey on a proposed alternating-use trail pilot drew 7,522 self-selected responses, with 75% of respondents opposing or strongly opposing the idea and 18% supporting it.

Staff presented the update at the Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee's June 25 meeting and said the survey was non-random and not statistically representative of the broader public. County staff said the most common concerns in open-ended comments were reduced trail access, safety, fairness, scheduling complexity and the need for more trails or better etiquette enforcement.

According to county materials, the proposed pilot would test alternating trail use on select existing multi-use trails already open to bikes, hikers and horses. The county has not made final decisions on which trails would be included and has described the pilot as a short-term test rather than a permanent change. The county's project page says the pilot's findings would inform longer-term board decisions.

Staff said they planned to bring the survey and other public input to the Board of County Commissioners on June 30. The county's June 30 work-session listing identified the item as “Parks and Open Space Department – Alternating Trail Use Pilot Project: Survey Results and Options for Board Consideration” and said commissioners generally do not take formal action or vote during work sessions.

Advisory committee members were divided over the proposal and over whether to make a formal recommendation at the June 25 meeting. The minutes show no vote or action on the item.