HomeMy WebLinkAboutR25-036 Supporting the GOCO Trust Fund Stewardship Impact Program Grant Application Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Commissioner scherr moved adoption
of the following Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO.2025- 036
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE STATE BOARD OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS
COLORADO TRUST FUND STEWARDSHIP IMPACT PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION
FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE EAGLE COUNTY OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Eagle County Outdoor Stewardship Partnership project addresses the growing
impacts of increased recreation, habitat degradation, and resource constraints on public lands in Eagle
County by expanding stewardship capacity through dedicated Conservation and Stewardship Crews (the
"Project"); and
WHEREAS, Eagle County and the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance ("VVMTA") jointly
submitted a grant application to the State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund ("GOCO")
Stewardship Impact Program requesting three hundred thousand dollars($300,000)on behalf of the Project
to continue to fund land conservation and stewardship activities on federal, state, county, and municipal
public lands throughout Eagle County(the"Project Application"); and
WHEREAS,a requirement of the GOCO Stewardship Impact Program grant is that the governing
body of the Project Application shall provide a resolution supporting the Project Application; and
WHEREAS, Eagle County has agreed to serve as a "co-grantee" and fiscal agent on behalf of
VVMTA as required by GOCO grant eligibility requirements and is the governing body of the Project
Application; and
WHEREAS, VVMTA shall be responsible for obtaining any matching funds and in-kind
contributions that VVMTA deems appropriate and represented in the Project Application(Exhibit A) and
the County shall have no responsibility therefore. If approved,the grant funds,matching funds, and in-kind
contributions for the Project shall all be used by VVMTA solely for eligible expenses approved by GOCO.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado(the"Board"):
THAT,the Board strongly supports the Project Application to fund the Eagle County Outdoor
Stewardship Partnership Project provided in Exhibit A.
THAT,the Board hereby authorizes the Chair to sign the grant agreement in a form acceptable to
the Eagle County Attorney's Office and to act as co-grantee for VVMTA should the grant be awarded.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
THAT,if the grant is awarded,the Board authorizes the expenditure of funds necessary to meet
the terms and obligations of the grant agreement.
THAT,if the grant is awarded,the Board strongly supports the fulfillment of the Project.
THAT,the Board finds,determines,and declares that this Resolution is necessary for the public
health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
MOVED,READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 1st day of April, 2025.
Signed by:
��� COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
COLORADO, By and Through Its
eaoaie BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST:
Signed by: c DocuSigned by:
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By: "-CA4AC128F8AA47A.
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Becky Close Jeanne McQueeney
Clerk and Recorder County Commissioners Chair
Signed by:
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Tom Boyd
Commissioner
1-Signed by:
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MalEJclle 473...
Commissioner
Commissioner Boyd seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll
having been called, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner McQueeney Aye
Commissioner Boyd Aye
Commissioner Scherr Aye
This resolution passed by 3/0 vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado
•
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
EXHIBIT A
3
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
EXHIBIT A
GCCO
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO
Project Summary Information
Project Title: Eagle County Outdoor Stewardship Partnership
Applicant g LEa le County
y
Applicant
Name(s): Marcia Gilles
Partner Organization(if applicable): Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
Partner Name (if applicable): Ernest Saeger
Amount Requested: f 300,00o
Estimated Total Project Cost: 502,943
Estimated Grant Period(years): 2.5
Brief Project Description (limit to space provided without expanding the text box; use 10 pt font)
The Eagle County Outdoor Stewardship Partnership addresses the growing impacts of
increased recreation, habitat degradation, and resource constraints on public lands in Eagle
County by expanding stewardship capacity through dedicated Conservation and
Stewardship Crews. These crews will work across USFS, BLM, municipal, and county lands,
focusing on recreation maintenance and management, habitat restoration, watershed
improvements, and dispersed recreation management.
This initiative leverages local partnerships and volunteer engagement to ensure sustainable
recreation and conservation efforts. Additionally, the project integrates with our Regional
Partnership Initiative (RPI), aligning with long-term wildlife and recreation planning efforts.
The project will enhance ecological resilience, support local economies, and support career
pathways for youth and underrepresented communities, ensuring that public lands remain
protected, accessible, and well-managed for future generations.
2
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
&COCO STEWARDSHIP IMPACT PROGRAM
GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO APPLICATION
Checklist
To ensure equity among applicants we ask that you adhere to the following when submitting
materials. Please do not submit additional documents outside of those requested below.
• Project Summary Information form
• Responses to Proposal Narrative prompts
• Limit narrative responses to 6 pages
® Use 11 pt or larger font and 1-inch margins for formatting
8 Do not include letterhead or organizational logos as part of the narrative
® Please limit the use of hyperlinks. Hyperlinks to other materials, such as a project
website, may be included to demonstrate project elements that cannot be illustrated
as an attachment due to scope or file size.
® Budget and optional budget narrative*
❑ Resolution from governing body of each applicant
❑ Wildlife Review*
® Indication of support (up to five, e.g. letters of support from partners, community members,
volunteers; summary of media articles, broadcasts,testimonials, etc.)
I Applicants may consider providing the following attachments:
I Maps or diagrams (up to two pages; highly recommended to provide a sense of
location, community assets, and scope of work)
❑ Planning documents (extract up to two pages of pertinent information, e.g.
infographic, process outlines, comments, data)
® Photos (up to two pages)
® Timeline
*Please use the template or form provided on the program page.
i
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Proposed Project & Stewardship Need
Eagle County's public lands continue to experience increasing recreational use, resulting in
significant impacts such as trail degradation, habitat disruption, and ecological disturbance.
Over 80% of Eagle County consists of public land, with most of it within the White River National
Forest (WRNF), the busiest forest in the country. In 2011 visits to the WRNF were estimated to
be around 10 million and in 2022 that number increased to 18 million. Almost 7 million of those
were during the summer season in 2022. Meanwhile, the WRNF's budget has decreased from
$30 million in 2009 to $18 million in 2023. These visits and public lands contribute an estimated
$1.6 billion in economic impact for surrounding communities.
So what do these numbers mean? In short, they simply don't add up. While visitation and use
continues to increase, the boots on the ground to maintain natural resources decline.
These visitation numbers and imbalance carries over to adjacent lands, rivers, and open space
throughout Eagle County. They are all seeing increased impact while land managers struggle to
keep up. The Towns of Vail, Minturn, Avon, EagleVail, and Gypsum do not have Open Space
departments to address these impacts. The Town of Eagle has 1.5 staff people and Eagle
County Open Space has limited staff to manage the open space they oversee. All of these land
managers have relied on partners such as the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) and
volunteers to help them accomplish work to maintain the lands they manage.
This need is even more critical due to recent federal staffing and budget cuts. Additionally, our
federal partners such as the USFS and BLM cannot enter into new agreements with partners to
receive funding nor hire seasonal staff. To address this, the VVMTA will utilize its flexible
structure to secure CPW motorized grant funds and hire a seasonal OHV crew for the USFS.
Proactive and increased stewardship is critical to sustaining Eagle County's environmental and
economic vitality. The project will significantly enhance the quality of life in the community by
ensuring safe, sustainable recreational access, and preserving natural resources. The Eagle
County Outdoor Stewardship Partnership directly addresses this gap in stewardship resources
by establishing and expanding dedicated conservation and stewardship crews.
In 2021, GOCO invested in the VVMTA's Conservation Crew through its Resilient Communities
grant, providing the initial funding to launch the program. Now in its fifth season, the
Conservation Crew continues with support from diverse partners and funding sources. This
grant would further strengthen the existing Conservation Crew to provide 13 weeks of targeted
deferred maintenance and recreation impact mitigation projects across public lands including
but not limited to the USFS, BLM, municipalities, and county. This crew has a history of success
including building bridges, installing signage, leading volunteers, decommissioning trails, and
performing work to mitigate user impacts. The Conservation Crew does not have restrictions on
whose land they operate on as long as it is land that is open to the public. The Conservation
Crew will work alongside volunteers, youth, and with local partners to execute on the ground
projects to improve our natural resources while maintaining and improving our recreation
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
experience. A significant funding source for the Conservation Crew to exist and operate has
been the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). However, this is the last year of GAOA funding
and it is uncertain if funding will be available this year. This closing of the program would leave
a significant gap in funding for the Conservation Crew and further reductions of deferred
maintenance being completed. This GOCO support would ensure the Conservation Crew
continues to provide its impact not only on USFS lands but all public lands.
A new Stewardship Crew would be created to manage dispersed recreation, enforce fire
• restrictions, barbed wire fence removal, restoration work, watershed improvements, trailhead
management, river put-in/take-out management, and clean-up across multiple jurisdictions.
Modeled after the Front Country Ranger (FCR) program, the Stewardship Crew would support a
broad range of land managers and management efforts. Currently, the FCR consists of
seasonal employees and interns hired by Eagle County to work solely on USFS lands, though
its future remains uncertain. This expansion would add four crew members, enabling them to
work on adjacent public lands, including BLM, municipalities, and county open space. If the
FCR is not able to operate in the future, the Stewardship Crew would be able to fill an even
bigger gap by operating on USFS lands as well and taking on the role of the FCR.
A Conservation & Stewardship Coordinator will be hired to manage the Conservation and
Stewardship Crews, oversee project implementation, and support partner coordination. This role
will free up existing VVMTA staff to focus on project direction, fundraising, and volunteer
engagement while also assisting other crews, including the OHV crew, Eagle County Youth
Corps, and Trail Ambassadors. The position fills a critical gap for partners and land managers
and can expand and fill larger roles as stewardship needs grow.
Without immediate and further intervention, recreational impacts will continue to accelerate
while resources to manage them continue to decline. This will result in the continued long-term
degradation of trails, watersheds, and wildlife habitat. This project provides a scalable,
community-driven solution that will support all public land managers, ensuring that both
conservation and recreation are maintained and managed now and for future generations.
Multi-Faceted Benefits & Community Enhancement
Our community highly values our public lands, wildlife, and recreation opportunities. A recent
survey in Eagle County conducted by the CPW through our RPI supported this belief. Results
showed 99% of survey respondents said that sustaining wildlife populations is important and at
the same time, 84% said they recreate outdoors at least twice per week. This project balances
conservation, wildlife, and recreation to provide tangible benefits to both the natural environment
and for our community's values.
The Stewardship Crew will enhance ecological and resource protection. Restoration projects
will improve wildlife habitat, preserve fragile landscapes, and improve watershed health.
Dispersed recreation management and fire mitigation and education efforts will proactively
reduce the risk of wildfires impacting our community as well.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
The Conservation Crew will perform trail sustainability improvements that will provide safe,
accessible, and well-maintained trails for hikers, bikers, equestrians, and other users.
Maintenance projects will help manage increasing visitation while preserving resource integrity.
This will overall strengthen our recreation-based economy by maintaining high-quality outdoor
experiences that support tourism and local businesses.
The VVMTA has a successful history of community and volunteer engagement. Through our
Adopt A Trail program we have over 60 local businesses and organizations annually maintaining
our trails and executing stewardship projects. These volunteers put in over 3,500 volunteer
hours annually. Furthermore, through schools and partner organizations such as The Cycle
Effect, over 175 youth engage in our volunteer maintenance and stewardship programs. Our
Soul Dirt program engages underrepresented communities to experience the outdoors, learn
how to recreate responsibly, and also become stewards of our lands. Through this program we
partner with organizations such as Mountain Pride, Exploremos, and My Future Pathways. Our
community identifies as over 30% Latino or Hispanic and our school system is now over 52%
Latino or Hispanic. Last year, we engaged over 250 volunteers and program participants that
identify as Latino or Hispanic.
New in 2025, we are launching the Eagle County Youth Corps in partnership with Walking
Mountains. Walking Mountains will recruit the youth through the schools and the VVMTA will
coordinate, manage, and lead the youth crews in the field. The crew of 16 to 18 year old local
high schoolers will perform restoration, deferred maintenance, and habitat improvement work.
The crew will be led by a Conservation Crew member and supported by the Conservation &
Stewardship Coordinator. The goal is for these youth to learn and practice stewardship, provide
a career path, and ultimately work for the Conservation or Stewardship Crew in the future.
The National Forest Foundation, Eagle County Lodging Tax Marketing Committee, and other
partners have supported the VVMTA hiring two (2) seasonal full-time Trail Ambassadors who
are at trailheads and on the trails educating users on seasonal wildlife closures and Leave No
Trace Principles. These Trail Ambassadors would support the Conservation Crew and
Stewardship Crew in many ways and act as a complimentary crew.
Through these established and successful programs, we will increase the opportunities for local
residents, youth, and underrepresented communities to participate in conservation and
stewardship work. The collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including land managers,
non-profits, and businesses, will ensure long-term community investment in stewardship.
Project Coordination
This project is built on collaboration, leveraging the expertise, resources, and community reach
of multiple partners to maximize impact. Eagle County will act as the fiscal sponsor through
their Open Space & Natural Resources Department. They will provide consultation on the
overall direction to ensure projects are being prioritized and implemented as needed.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
The VVMTA will manage project execution, leveraging its experience, infrastructure, and flexible
workforce approach to expand the Conservation Crew and create the Stewardship Crews. With
the ability to operate across all public lands in Eagle County, VVMTA will identify projects,
coordinate with partners, hire and manage crews, and engage volunteers. Additionally, it will
ensure projects align with RPI, EVOSC, GOCO, and partner priorities. As a nimble and
proactive non-profit organization, the VVMTA can adapt and thrive in supporting our community.
Projects will be completed in partnership and on public lands managed by municipalities, county,
and federal agencies including the Town of Avon, Town of Eagle, Town of Vail, Town of Minturn,
Eagle County, the USFS, and BLM. These public land management partners provide project
priorities through existing resource and management plans and staff expertise. Staff will
support projects as needed and provide guidance on executing projects.
Eagle Valley Outdoor Stewardship Coalition (EVOSC) members will play a critical role in project
prioritization and implementation. EVOSC's mission is to collectively create solutions for
balancing recreation and environmental stewardship through collaboration, leadership and
communication. Partners include Eagle Valley Land Trust, Eagle River Coalition, land
managers, municipalities, motorized user groups, Walking Mountains and more. These partner
organizations facilitate discussions and then coordinate actions to best serve the community
regarding matters of outdoor recreation, local wildlife, and public lands. This purpose stems
from the recognition that no single agency/organization has the ability to address county-wide
stewardship issues. Through this network of local conservation and recreation organizations a
diverse slate of projects will be identified and executed by utilizing our collective networks.
Volunteerism is at the core of the VVMTA. Annually, we engage over 750 volunteers to perform
stewardship and maintenance projects. These volunteers are trained and led by the
Conservation Crew, providing education, tools, and techniques to strive towards sustainable
recreation experiences. The Stewardship Crew would provide a new and important opportunity
to engage, train, and lead volunteers in a diverse range of projects. With the expansion and
addition of these crews alongside our partner volunteer networks, our collaboration will raise the
tides and bring together diverse groups of volunteers to accomplish projects.
Project Implementation & Execution
This project will directly support stewardship and restoration efforts in partnership with a diverse
group of partners by implementing key projects through the Conservation Crew and
Stewardship Crew. We have a long and growing list of maintenance, stewardship, habitat
improvement, watershed restoration, and recreation management projects from our partners.
While we have an initial list of proposed projects, many more will be identified by partners as
stewardship needs evolve. Here are some examples:
Project Examples: Conservation Crew
• Maintain 50 miles of high-use trails on USFS land, including clearing downed trees,
maintaining drainages, and clearing corridors to encourage users to stay on the trail.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
• Maintain 25 miles of high-use trails on BLM land, including reroutes to improve
watershed and ecological health, bridge repair/install, drainage, and trail sustainability.
• Social trail restoration in critical wildlife habitat to reduce fragmentation.
• Illegal route restoration work throughout the Hardscrabble SRMA
• Trail maintenance including drainage, tread repair, and social trail decommission work
on Town of Eagle Open Space lands
Project Examples: Stewardship Crew
• Restore campsites adjacent to creeks in Gypsum Creek and Turkey Creek to preserve
water quality and improve riparian area function.
• Remove one mile of fencing between Yeoman Park and Fulford Cave Campground to
improve wildlife mobility and habitat connectivity.
• Tamarisk removal along the Colorado River in partnership with the Eagle River Coalition.
• Campground restoration at Lyon's Gulch focused on erosion control near the river bank.
• In partnership with the Eagle Valley Land Trust (EVLT), remove a mile of barbed wire
fence from the West Avon Preserve to improve wildlife mobility and habitat.
All of the above projects will be collaborative in nature between the Conservation Crew,
Stewardship Crew, land managers, local nonprofit partners, and/or volunteers. Further projects
will be identified collaboratively through our RPI, EVOSC, and partners ensuring these are
community-driven.
Collaboration with our Regional Partnership Initiative (RPI)
This project will be informed by our partners and through our Regional Partnership Initiative,
Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable (CWR). The CWR's current state is working
towards completing our first phase conservation and wildlife plan which will be followed by our
second phase of a recreation assessment. We anticipate having these plans finished by late
2026. We are currently restructuring the CWR to include an overall full roundtable which is
informed by committees focusing on wildlife/conservation, recreation/stewardship (EVOSC),
education, and outdoor equity.
The RPI's implementation phase is still 18-24 months away and the need for on-the-ground
stewardship action is urgent. This project serves as a pilot for broader stewardship efforts,
aligning with the CWR's long-term vision for conservation efforts, stewardship, and recreation
management. By demonstrating successful implementation and measurable impact, the
initiative will serve as a foundation for future funding opportunities and partnerships, ensuring
continued stewardship growth beyond the grant period. It will be a catalyst to pull people
together to move forward the CWR and our community efforts.
By fostering collaboration, this grant initiative has already strengthened partnerships through
ongoing discussions and planning. Securing funding now is essential to addressing immediate
stewardship needs and advancing the next phase of our RPI efforts.
Long-Term Sustainability & Lasting Impact
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
This project will fill a critical gap in stewardship capacity. It supports our land managers by
providing consistent, trained crews to handle critical conservation, maintenance and recreation
management needs. Furthermore, it positions local partners to take on future responsibilities
ensuring long-term stewardship beyond federal agency policies and funding.
Through this collaborative partner driven approach, we will leverage multiple funding sources to
execute projects and sustain the crews into the future. GOCO funds are the catalyst, but this
initiative is and will be supported by local and state government grants, corporate business
sponsors, donors, foundations, and community volunteers. Match funding and continued
sustainable funding sources are anticipated and actively being pursued, ensuring GOCO's
investment has a multiplying effect on stewardship outcomes.
This project aligns closely with GOCO's draft 2025 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes
community-centered stewardship, conservation, and sustainable outdoor recreation. By
leveraging the Community Wildlife Roundtable to coordinate priorities and inform
decision-making, it serves as an early implementation pilot for long-term conservation and
recreation strategies, positioning Eagle County for future GOCO and state-funded efforts. This
initiative directly supports GOCO's commitment to ecological health and biodiversity through trail
and habitat restoration and watershed improvements while also addressing growing outdoor
recreation demands by expanding stewardship capacity to manage trail maintenance, dispersed
recreation impacts, and infrastructure improvements. This comprehensive approach ensures
that GOCO's investment delivers lasting ecological, recreational, and community benefits.
Conclusion: Why GOCO Funding is Needed Now
Recreational pressures on public lands in Eagle County are rapidly increasing due to growing
visitation and population expansion. Wildlife habitats and ecological health are increasingly
stressed by human disturbance, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. At the same time,
land managers struggle to maintain these heavily used landscapes due to budget and staffing
limitations. This widening gap presents a growing challenge to the long-term health and
sustainability of Eagle County's public lands.
Without active stewardship and collaborative conservation efforts, the balance between
recreation and ecological health will continue to deteriorate, placing further strain on both
landscapes and wildlife. This project provides a proactive, community-driven approach by
expanding stewardship capacity and implementing on-the-ground restoration efforts that sustain
and enhance landscape resilience while ensuring sustainable outdoor access.
GOCO funding will allow us to expand on past successes, accelerate immediate on-the-ground
improvements, and establish a sustainable stewardship framework that benefits public lands for
years to come. By funding this project now, GOCO's investment will position Eagle County as a
statewide leader in sustainable conservation and outdoor recreation, demonstrating a model for
stewardship partnerships across Colorado.
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Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Budget Narrative
Eagle County Outdoor Stewardship Partnership Project
Source of Funds (CASH)/Matching Funds
The VVMTA is committing $47,905 towards this project. This funding is through donations such
as individual donors, businesses, and foundations. Eagle County will begin its 2026 budgeting
process in early October 2025 for 2026. It is anticipated they will provide at least $15,000
towards these crews in 2026. The Town of Vail's budgeting process for 2026 will begin in early
October 2025. It is anticipated they will provide at least $25,000 towards these crews. They
have historically funded over$50,000 supporting VVMTA crews and the Front Country Ranger
program. The Towns of Avon and Eagle will fund part of the Conservation Crew's summer 2025
operations. The National Forest Foundation is also supporting a portion of the Conservation
Crew's work in the summer of 2025. The BLM and USFS will begin their 2026 budgeting
process in October 2025. They have committed funding for these crews and expressed interest
in increasing support if possible.
Municipal and government budgets operate on an annual cycle, preventing multi-year
commitments. All of these municipalities, agencies, and partners have historically committed
more funding towards the Conservation Crew and existing Front Country Ranger program.
These conservative estimates reflect the minimum expected contributions for 2026 and beyond.
We plan to work with our partners to secure additional funding beyond these.
Full-time Personnel($128,700 GOCO/$66,405 match)
These funds will support the existing staff position of Operations Manager (OM) and the hiring of
a new position; Conservation & Stewardship Coordinator. The VVMTA is committed to provide a
significant match to support two years of funding for the Conservation & Stewardship
Coordinator position. The VVMTA will provide in-kind support for the Executive Director's time,
focusing on program direction and fundraising to sustain the initiative beyond GOCO's
investment. The goal is to find additional funding to support this position beyond the two years
of the project.
Seasonal Crew Personnel($135,850 GOCO/$60,000 match)
Conservation Crew: These funds will support four (4) crew members who will perform 13 weeks
of work. The match is to support additional weeks in the season that the VVMTA will hire and
employ these same crew members plus three more for a full crew of six. They will be
performing work directly related to this project which will be funded by other sources such as
other grants, municipalities, donations, and foundations.
Stewardship Crew: These funds will support four (4) crew members who will perform 13 weeks
of work. The match is to support additional weeks in a season that the VVMTA will hire and
employ these same crew members. They will be performing work directly related to this project
which will be funded by other sources such as other grants, municipalities, donations, and
foundations.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
As stated in the opening matching fund source narrative, we anticipate to secure additional
funding beyond what we are committing to once partners begin their budget process for 2026.
This funding will support both crews for a full 26-week season in 2026.
Operations ($31,950 GOCO/$7,500 match)
These items will support the day to day operations of the Conservation and Stewardship crews.
These include at least two vehicles, uniforms, equipment and tools, training, travel, and
supplies.
Indirect Expenses ($3,500 GOCO/$1,500 match)
These include expenses such as Quickbooks, time tracking apps, payroll, HR and onboarding,
bookkeeping, and other supplies to support the project.
In-Kind($67,538 match)
We anticipate at least 1,000 hours of volunteer time supporting these crews and projects. The
VVMTA and partner organizations have existing robust volunteer programs which will be
leveraged to recruit and utilize volunteers for these projects.
The VVMTA owns two crew trucks and an extensive inventory of tools to support operations.
Additionally, Eagle County Open Space will provide in-kind staff time to act as the fiscal agent
and oversee grant management.
Leveraged Resources ($1,614,938)
Conservation & Stewardship Crews:
In 2021, in partnership with Eagle County, GOCO provided funding for us to launch the
Conservation Crew through a Resilient Communities Grant. Thanks to this initial investment,
our is entering its fifth season in 2025. GOCO funding was leveraged to further secure funding
to support this crew from other sources.
We anticipate additional funding through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to support
the Conservation Crew in 2025 and potentially in 2026. GAOA funding is part of the FY2025
federal budget, and if approved, $85,000 will support the Conservation Crew. Due to the
uncertainty of the federal government, we have moved this to the leveraged section to show the
potential additional match for this crew. Since 2021, GAOA funding has contributed $383,682
for the Conservation Crew to perform stewardship projects, deferred maintenance, and
restoration work on USFS lands.
The National Forest Foundation, Eagle County Lodging Tax Marketing Committee, and other
partners fund VVMTA's two full-time Trail Ambassadors, who educate users on wildlife closures
and Leave No Trace principles. As the USFS cannot enter new agreements or hire seasonal
staff, we will manage the CPW motorized grant to fund an OHV crew for the USFS in 2025.
Additionally, we are launching the Eagle County Youth Corps in partnership with Walking
Mountains, providing local high school students with hands-on experience in restoration,
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
deferred maintenance, and habitat improvement** under the guidance of a Conservation Crew
member.
Launched in 2019, the Front Country Ranger program is a collaboration between the USFS and
multiple local municipalities, including Vail, Minturn, Red Cliff, Avon, Gypsum, and Eagle County.
It has allowed the USFS to hire an 8-10 person crew to clean trailhead restrooms, educate the
public, and mitigate fire restrictions, and more. Annual funding surpassing $160,000 has been
provided by these municipalities, the county, National Forest Foundation, and others.
High living costs and restrictive hiring policies have limited USFS's ability to hire seasonal staff
or accept partner funding. As a solution, Eagle County is contracting with Rocky Mountain
Youth Corps to provide staff, and this grant ensures future support for the program while
allowing potential redirection of Front Country Ranger funding to sustain these crews.
VVMTA Volunteers - Stewardship, Maintenance, & Education:
Over the past three years, VVMTA volunteers have contributed more than 10,500 hours to
stewardship and maintenance efforts. These volunteers have performed stewardship and
maintenance projects on all public lands in Eagle County through our Adopt A Trail program and
other volunteer programs. Additionally, these volunteers have performed educational initiatives
on seasonal wildlife closures and Leave No Trace Principles at trailheads and on the trails.
Volunteers are at the core of the VVMTA and will remain key to community stewardship efforts.
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Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
1900 Grant Street, Suite 725
Denver, CO 80203
Subject: Support for Eagle County and VVMTA's Outdoor Stewardship Partnership Grant
Application
Dear GOCO Grant Committee,
Please accept this letter on behalf of the Eagle Valley Land Trust (EVLT) in strong support for
Eagle County and the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance's (VVMTA) application for funding
through Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). This grant represents a crucial opportunity to
strengthen outdoor stewardship efforts and ensure the sustainability of our area's public lands.
The mission of Eagle Valley Land Trust is to protect forever, as a permanent legacy, the land
we love including its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitats. Stewardship
is a key component of our work and we appreciate the opportunity to engage the TCC and OSC
in critical stewardship work on conserved properties. EVLT is a lead member of our local
Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnership, and we believe this work is consistent with the goals of
the Regional Partnership Initiative and will serve to move that partnership forward.
Formed in 2019, EVOSC was created to facilitate communication and collaboration between
land and trail managers, outdoor recreation groups, and conservation organizations. Our
coalition is composed of dedicated partners who share a commitment to responsible outdoor
recreation, environmental stewardship, and public land management. Through this partnership-
driven approach, we work to address the growing challenges associated with increased outdoor
use, balancing recreation with conservation to protect Eagle County's natural resources for
future generations.
The need for this initiative has never been greater. Trails, open spaces, and public lands in
Eagle County are experiencing unprecedented levels of use, placing considerable strain on the
ecosystems that make this region so special. At the same time, federal land management
agencies—including the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)—
face budget constraints and staffing reductions, further limiting their capacity to maintain and
protect these lands. The proposed Outdoor Stewardship Partnership initiative will help bridge
this gap by providing much-needed resources to expand the Trail Conservation Crew (TCC) and
establish the Outdoor Stewardship Crew (OSC), enhancing the ability to perform essential
maintenance, restoration, and management efforts.
As our region continues to grow and attract more visitors, it is imperative that we take proactive
steps to sustain the outdoor experiences that define our communities. By funding this initiative,
GOCO will be investing in a collaborative, long-term approach to outdoor stewardship—one that
unites municipalities, land managers, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers in a shared
mission to care for our public lands.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
EVOSC strongly supports this grant application and encourages GOCO to recognize the critical
role this funding will play in protecting Eagle County's outdoor spaces. We appreciate your
consideration and look forward to the opportunity to continue building a strong foundation for
sustainable recreation and stewardship in our region.
Sincerely,
94.44tia.
Jessica Foulis
Executive Director
Eagle Valley Land Trust
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
1900 Grant Street, Suite 725
Denver, CO 80203
Subject: Support for Eagle County and VVMTA's Outdoor Stewardship Partnership Grant
Application
Dear GOCO Grant Committee,
Please accept this letter on behalf of the Eagle Valley Outdoor Stewardship Coalition (EVOSC)
partners in strong support for Eagle County and the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance's
(VVMTA) application for funding through Great Outdoors Colorado. This grant represents a
crucial opportunity to strengthen outdoor stewardship efforts and ensure the sustainability of our
area's public lands.
Formed in 2019, EVOSC was created to facilitate communication and collaboration between
land and trail managers, outdoor recreation groups, and conservation organizations. Our
coalition is composed of dedicated partners who share a commitment to responsible outdoor
recreation, environmental stewardship, and public land management. Through this
partnership-driven approach, we work to address the growing challenges associated with
increased outdoor use, balancing recreation with conservation to protect Eagle County's natural
resources for future generations.
The need for this initiative has never been greater. Trails, open spaces, and public lands in
Eagle County continue to experience high levels of use, placing considerable strain on the
ecosystems that make our community so special. At the same time, federal land management
agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management face budget
constraints and staffing reductions, further limiting their capacity to maintain and protect these
lands. The proposed initiative will help bridge this gap by providing much-needed resources to
expand the Conservation Crew and establish the Stewardship Crew, enhancing the ability to
perform essential maintenance, restoration, and management efforts.
As our region continues to grow and attract more visitors, it is imperative that we take proactive
steps to sustain the outdoor experiences that define our communities. By funding this initiative,
GOCO will be investing in a collaborative, long-term approach to outdoor stewardship, one that
unites municipalities, land managers, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers in a shared
mission to care for our public lands.
EVOSC strongly supports this grant application and encourages GOCO to recognize the critical
role this funding will play in protecting Eagle County's outdoor spaces. We appreciate your
consideration and look forward to the opportunity to continue building a strong foundation for
sustainable recreation and stewardship in our region.
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Signed by the following EVOSC Partners in support of this effort:
Mark Wertheimer
Chief Operating Officer
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
Dan Lambert
President, Holy Cross Powder Hounds Snowmobile club
Wildridge Trails Coalition, BOD
Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable & Eagle Valley Outdoor Stewardship Coalition,
Winter motorized seat.
Town of Eagle, Open Space Recreation Advisory Committee, member
Gina Van Hekken
Senior Director of Grants & Strategic Initiatives
Walking Mountains
Brian Lieberman
Open Space and Trails Manager
Town of Eagle Open Space and Trails
Alan Czepinski
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bureau of Land Management
Vicki Flynn
Executive Director
Eagle River Coalition
Maren Cerimele
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Vail Valley Partnership & Visit Vail Valley
Devon DeCrausaz
President
Wildridge Trail Coalition
Jen Swisher
Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Sport Riders
Mike Beach
Recreation Staff Officer
Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
1900 Grant Street, Suite 725
Denver, CO 80203
Subject: Letter of Support for Eagle County and VVMTA's Outdoor Stewardship
Partnership Grant Application
Dear GOCO Grant Committee,
On behalf of the Towns of Vail, Minturn, Avon, and Eagle, we express our strong support for
Eagle County and the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance's (VVMTA) grant application to Great
Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). This request will provide essential resources to create the Outdoor
Stewardship Partnership initiative, a crucial effort to protect and sustain our public lands.
Public lands in Eagle County provide tremendous recreational, economic, and ecological value
to our communities. However, with increasing visitation, our trails, open spaces, and watersheds
face significant pressures. This initiative will directly address these challenges by expanding the
Conservation Crew (CC) and creating the Stewardship Crew (SC), ensuring much-needed
on-the-ground stewardship, restoration, and sustainable recreation management.
Additionally, our federal land managers including the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management are facing significant budget and staffing reductions, creating even greater
uncertainty in their ability to manage and maintain the public lands that are vital to our
communities. These funding shortfalls further reduce the "boots on the ground" necessary for
essential stewardship efforts, increasing the urgency for partnerships to fill the gap. This
initiative will directly support critical stewardship capacity that would otherwise be lacking.
Through collaboration with local governments, land managers, and community organizations,
this initiative aligns with our municipalities' commitment to preserving natural resources,
maintaining recreational access, and fostering environmental responsibility. By supporting this
grant, GOCO will help strengthen stewardship efforts across jurisdictions, ensuring the
long-term health of Eagle County's outdoor spaces for both residents and visitors.
We fully support Eagle County and VVMTA's grant application and urge GOCO to invest in this
transformative project. Thank you for your consideration.
Signed by the following municipalities and county representatives in support of this
effort:
40.— • Tamra N. Underwood
iravis Co
Mayor Mayor,Town of Avon Mayor Scott Turnipseed Mayor Earle Bidez
Town of Vail tunderwood a(�avon.ora Town of Eagle, CO. Town of Minturn
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
va/i vaLtey
PRRTfERSHIP "
Great Outdoors Colorado
1900 Grant Street, Suite 725
Denver, CO 80203
RE: Letter of Support for Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance—Stewardship Impact
Grant
Dear Grant Selection Committee,
On behalf of Vail Valley Partnership, I am pleased to submit this letter in strong support of
Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance's (VVMTA) application for a Stewardship Impact Grant
from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO).As the regional chamber and economic
development organization serving Eagle County,we recognize the critical role that
stewardship and sustainable recreation play in preserving our natural assets, supporting
our local economy, and ensuring high-quality outdoor experiences for residents and
visitors alike.
Eagle County's public lands are essential to our region's identity and economic vitality,
attracting millions of visitors annually and contributing significantly to our outdoor
recreation-based economy. However, as highlighted in VVMTA's grant proposal, increasing
visitation and shrinking land management budgets have placed strain on our trails, open
spaces, and resources.Addressing these challenges requires collaborative, proactive
stewardship efforts,which VVMTA has long championed through its Trail Conservation
Crew(TCC) and broader stewardship initiatives.
The proposed project—strengthening the TCC, establishing an Outdoor Stewardship Crew
(OSC), and expanding collaboration through the Eagle Valley Outdoor Stewardship
Coalition (EVOSC)—willprovide essential on-the-ground support to maintain and improve
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public lands across multiple jurisdictions.This initiative will not only mitigate recreational
impacts and enhance ecological health but also engage community volunteers, local
businesses, and public agencies in meaningful conservation work.
Vail Valley Partnership fully supports VVMTA's efforts and believes that this project aligns
with GOCO's values of resource conservation, outdoor stewardship, equitable access,
and community vitality. Investing in stewardship today ensures the long-term sustainability
of Eagle County's recreational and natural assets, reinforcing our region's reputation as a
premier outdoor destination while protecting the landscapes that make it special.
97 Main Street, Suite E201, Edwards, CO 81632
VailVallevPartnershp.com
Three-time National Chamber of the Year(2024, 2020, 2016)
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
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PRRTII ERSHIP "
We respectfully urge GOCO to fund this impactful initiative, which will serve as a model for
collaborative land stewardship in Colorado. Please do not hesitate to contact me if further
information is needed.
Sincerely,
Chris Romer
President/CEO
Vail Valley Partnership
97 Main Street, Suite E201, Edwards, CO 81632
VailValleyPartnershp.com
Three-time National Chamber of the Year(2024, 2020, 2016)
Docusign Envelope ID:58AF8B22-C397-4CA3-8D8F-4DEAA8AC3069
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