I am hoping for greater public involvement in the Tres Rios Travel Management Plan.
While anyone can understand the need to control duplicate routes, closing historical, scenic or loop access routes in an area that is extremely economically depressed and where the local citizens are trying to increase tourism needs to be addressed.
Managed trail systems are an enormous boon for a local economy. Motorized travel generates more revenue than hiking/biking and should not be eliminated.
It should be encouraged through the opening of a variety of class-limited trail systems (jeep, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle) to attract a variety of tourists to the area.
There are many historic sites located in one of the last bastions of the Wild West that can be highlighted to entice tourists to the area. The area was used as a hideout by Leroy Parker (Butch Cassidy), Harry Longabaugh (the Sundance Kid) and many other outlaws. There are roads to spectacular overlooks of the areas that can also be advertised along with the history of the area.
The first material that Marie Curie experimented with came from this area in Western Colorado. The race to end World War II and the Cold War was fought in our own backyard. The combination of history and beauty can be utilized to increase and possibly stabilize the economy through an advertising push, much like Moab, Utah. The proximity of this area could draw from the extremely popular activities in Utah.
Furthermore, H.J. Res. 44 has been passed (www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/44).
Tom Smith
Montrose
