Montelores Coalition Invites Community to Public Meetings for the Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Plan
The Montelores Coalition invites residents, business owners, tribal members, agricultural producers and outdoor enthusiasts to attend upcoming public meetings to share feedback on the Montelores Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Plan. Meetings will be held in Dove Creek, Dolores, Rico, Cortez and Mancos on the following dates at these locations:
- Dove Creek: Monday, November 17th from 6-7:30 PM at the Public Service Meeting Room (8477 Road 7.7, Dove Creek, CO)
- Dolores: Tuesday, November 18th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Community Center (400 Riverside Ave, Dolores, CO)
- Rico: Tuesday, December 2nd from 6-7:30 PM at the Town Hall (2 N. Commercial, Rico, CO)
- Cortez: Wednesday, December 3rd from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Chamber of Commerce (20 W Main St, Cortez, CO)
- Mancos: Thursday, December 4th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Community Center (130 Grand Ave, Mancos, CO)
The Montelores Coalition is a regional partnership of local governments, tribes, land management agencies, outdoor recreation groups, agriculture and conservation organizations working together to support healthy lands, thriving communities, and sustainable recreation across Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
The Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Plan outlines strategies to balance the region’s growing recreation opportunities with the protection of natural, cultural, and agricultural resources. By aligning local priorities with Colorado’s statewide outdoor recreation goals, the plan aims to guide future planning, partnerships, and projects that benefit both residents and visitors.
“These meetings are an important opportunity for the community to help shape the future of outdoor recreation and conservation in our region,” said Cara Gildar, Executive Director of the Montelores Coalition. “We want to ensure that the plan reflects local values and the unique character of our region’s landscapes.”
The public meetings will include a presentation of the draft plan, interactive discussion stations, and opportunities to provide input on proposed goals and strategies. All community members are encouraged to attend and share their ideas.
For updates, full meeting details, and the latest version of the plan with instructions on how to comment, visit https://montelorescoalition.org/ or follow the Montelores Coalition on Facebook and Instagram @MonteloresCoalition. The comment period is scheduled to end at 11:59PM on Wednesday, December 31st.
Announcing the Official Launch of Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy
Coloradans love the outdoors, and the outdoors are essential to what makes Colorado special. The health of our wildlife, biodiversity, people, communities, agriculture, and economies depends on thriving natural environments and outdoor recreation. However, our outdoors face growing challenges — from increasing populations, human development, climate change, wildfires, and drought. Many communities across the state are at a crossroads.
That’s why we’re excited to share Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy — a collaborative effort to ensure our outdoors, people, community character, and ways of life endure for generations to come. This strategy aligns resources, strengthens partnerships, and drives action to advance conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience across the state while supporting regionally-rooted efforts.
A key component of this effort is the Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy Resource Hub — a free, online tool providing data, mapping tools, and resources to help communities and partners take action.
Get Involved:
✅ Learn how the strategy will shape the future of Colorado’s outdoors:
https://cpw.state.co.us/colorados-outdoors-strategy
✅ Explore the Strategy & Resource Hub: https://cos-resource-hub-segroup.hub.arcgis.com/
Together, we can protect what makes Colorado special.
The 2025 Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is hot off the press. 📰
As a member of the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, Montelores Coalition is excited to announce the release of Colorado’s 2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. This plan presents a strategic path forward for ensuring that a diversity of high-quality outdoor experiences are accessible, equitable and inclusive while management and stewardship practices enhance benefits and minimize negative impacts for people, landscapes and local communities.
Montelores Coalition Roundtable Appointed
The Montelores Coalition is pleased to announce the seating of the Coalition Roundtable. The Roundtable will convene a broad spectrum of voices to identify, create, and formalize local and regional collaborations that respect, reflect, and value the demographic and cultural diversity of our region. The Coalition Roundtable’s main focus is to develop a regional cooperative and sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation strategy. Please welcome the 2024 Coalition Roundtable.
| Name | Affiliation | User Representation |
| Nicci Crowley | LOR Foundation | Community/Econ Dev |
| Chad Wheelus | Community Member | Education |
| Alex Krebs | Backcountry Hunters and Anglers | Hunting and Fishing Users |
| Taylor Schultz | Mancos Conservation District | Conservation/Environment Org |
| David Sussman | Telluride Adaptive Sports | Adaptive Users |
| Rica Fulton | Dolores River Boating Advocates | Rec Boating Users |
| Gabi Morey | Montezuma Inspire Coalition | Youth Enrichment |
| Jim Ostrem | Rico Trails Alliance | Non-Motorized Rec Users |
| Peggy Cloy | Willowtail Preserve & Ed Center | Arts and Culture |
| Mary Jo Standard | Montezuma Leadership Network | Community/Econ Dev |
| Jake Quigley | Zuma Bike Ranch | Outdoor Rec Industry |
| Cindy Farney | High Camp Hut | Hiking, Trail-Running, Quiet Users |
| Jamie Bradshaw | Rancher/Business Owner | Agriculture Interests |
| Robert Cody Folsom | Off-Road Enthusiast/Business Owner | Motorized Rec Users |
| Stephanie Gordainier | USFS Permit Holder/Cow/calf Operator | At-Large |
| Kelly Weyland | CO Wildlife Council & more | Wildlife Conservation |
| Latifia Rodriguez | Mesa Verde Backcountry Horsemen | Equestrian Users |
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Executive Committee Roundtable Members
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| Tom Rice | USFS Dolores RD | Executive Committee Chair |
| Joseph Manning | BLM Asst. Field Manager | Executive Committee VC |
| Paul Morey | Mesa Verde NPS | Executive Committee |
| Beth Cascaddan | UMUT | Executive Committee |
| Jamin Grigg | CPW | Executive Committee |
| James Dietrich | Montezuma County | Executive Committee |
| Steve Garchar | Dolores County | Executive Committee |
| Kalin Grigg | Town of Dolores | Executive Committee |
| Jason Armstrong | Town of Mancos | Executive Committee |
| Helen West | City of Cortez | Executive Committee |
| Lanea Donahoo | Podunk’s Ranch | Executive Committee |
| Brian Bartlett | Mesa Verde Country | Executive Committee |
| Morgan Bennett | USFS Dolores RD | Executive Committee |
Montelores Coalition and Montezuma County Host Community Presentation
On Wednesday August 21st, The Montelores Coalition and RPI Consulting presented to an audience of stakeholders and community members at KSJD’s Sunflower Theatre in Cortez.
Coalition Coordinator, Michelle Furi, gave stakeholder updates and an overview of the Coalition’s goals and objectives over the next 10 months.
RPI Consulting’s Gabe Preston presented the Montezuma County Outdoor Recreation Use and Economic Impact Study, a year long study conducted across Montezuma County. The study identified Five Priority implementation projects that the community can focus on to increase the economic benefits of outdoor recreation while mitigating the impacts of tourism and outdoor recreation on our natural resources.
Watch RPI’s presentation below:
Now accepting applications for the Montelores Coalition Roundtable (MCR)
The Montelores Coalition Roundtable (MCR) shall have the responsibilities to advise the Montelores Coalition Executive Committee on collaborative planning and resources, funding and development, workforce opportunities, operations and maintenance, problem solving present challenges, as well as organizing and coordinating opportunities related to outdoor recreation and conservation in Montezuma and Dolores Counties and surrounding areas. The Roundtable will bring forth topics of discussion submitted by Montelores Coalition stakeholders, community members, and user groups, as approved by the Executive Committee and outlined in the charter.
Individuals interested in serving in a voluntary capacity for the above named roundtable are invited to submit a (MCR) application form which can be found by clicking the button below.
The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, Aug 15th 2024.
For further information please contact the Montelores Coalition Coordinator, Michelle Furi, at 719-225-6490.