Passing a Bill for Mountain Bikers
Do you like to ride, camp and explore in Montana's Custer Gallatin National Forest or on the Western Slope of Colorado? If so, we need your help to understand the economic impact of mountain biking and outdoor recreation in these areas.
Take the Colorado GMUG Survey!
Take the Montana Custer Gallatin Survey!
IMBA is working with Outdoor Alliance to measure the economic impact of human-powered recreation in Colorado’s Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest and in Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest. A similar study last year on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina found that mountain bikers spend more than $30 million in the area and support 366 full-time jobs. You can see those reports here.
Why do these studies? These forests are now developing new forest plans, which will serve as blueprints for what happens in these forests for the next 10 to 15 years. We know mountain biking improves communities in many ways, and economic figures help us advocate for a strong forest plan that protects the places we love to ride.
Colorado’s GMUG National Forest stretches from the high Sawatch Range peaks of the Continental Divide to the plateaus and canyons of Colorado's Western Slope, encompassing riding destinations like Crested Butte, Gunnison, Montrose and many favorite trails in between. Iconic rides like Doctor’s Park, Teocalli Ridge and Crested Butte’s wildflower-laden 401 sit within these forests. Take the Colorado GMUG Survey!
The Custer Gallatin National Forest hosts Montana’s highest peaks and stretches across 3.2 million acres of public land from West Yellowstone, Montana to Camp Crook, South Dakota. Mountain biking near Bozeman, Red Lodge and Big Sky is in and around the Custer Gallatin, like the Bangtail Divide IMBA EPIC, North Dry Creek and the alpine beauty of Mystic Lake. Take the Montana Custer Gallatin Survey!
If you ride and recreate in Colorado or Montana, you can help by taking the economic surveys today and sharing with anyone you know who could provide valuable input, too. It should take about 15 minutes and is completely anonymous. Plus, participants will be entered to win gear from Evo, Outdoor Research, Osprey, and REI.
Thank you for being an awesome advocate!
