Scott Winans of COPMOBA and the Palisade Chamber of Commerce are holding a public information meeting tonight at the Palisade Trustee Board Room on 341 W 7th Street at 5PM to discuss the plans for the Palisade Plunge as well as future bike trail systems on the east end of the valley.

Key aspects of the discussion will be to review the broader outdoor recreation landscape with regard to economic impact, and the possible economic impacts of a trail such as the Plunge, including some comparison situations.  It will identify that a project such as the Plunge has a far reaching impact upon the Grand Valley, capitalizing upon the substantial existing trail resources to serve as an emblem for the area, both contributing to and drawing upon the already word-wide renown of our trails. It will touch on the support that Governor Hickenlooper’s  “16 in 2016” program is providing to projects, many in western Colorado, and identify an out-of-cycle funding opportunity available through GOCO.  There will be discussion of the trail in as much detail as is possible.  There are several issues of local concern to address, and we hope that more information with more people is a benefit to the process.
In addition, to provide a better understanding of the function, capabilities, and limitations of COPMOBA as an organization.  COPMOBA is a non-profit volunteer organization that works with many partners to move trails from concept to implementation and long term maintenance.  COPMOBA typically partners with municipalities, land oversight agencies such as BLM and USFS, and many other entities interested in supporting local recreational trail goals.  Intrinsic funding is rather modest, so nearly all construction projects are the result of seeking and obtaining funding streams such as private and public grants.
Please understand that the proposal is a work in progress and therefore many aspects of the complex plan are not final, but rather presented to support discussion.

Palisade Plunge Trail – Proposal

● Designated in the State “16 in 2016” trails program, in Governors Colorado the Beautiful initiative, identifying 16 highest priority trails for implementation.  Prioritized timeline & support.

● Connects the top elevations of the Grand Mesa with the valley floor, ~10,700′ to ~4,700 ft, with non-motorized single track trail, ending adjacent to the Town of Palisade

● Length approx 33 miles, with ~6,000′ of vertical relief

● Route is in concept stage, with startpoint, endpoint, and initial route proposal identified

● Land owners, management agencies and entities affected; USFS, City of Grand Junction, BLM, Town of Palisade, Ute Water (poss)

● Utilizing existing Mesa Top Trailhead on Hwy 65, and several miles of existing USFS trail

● Utilize Palisade Rim parking area (expanded) & nearby Town of Pal additional parking option

● Trail access & parking connectivity to future Palisade Shooting Complex in Cameo area

● Takes advantage of established transportation corridors (immediate I-70 access, Hwy 65) and infrastructure (USFS Mesa Top Trailhead)

● Compares favorably (mileage & vert relief) to existing high-profile mountain bike routes such as the Monarch Crest Trail (Salida), The Whole Enchilada Trail (Moab)

● Horse Mountain trail system development still to proceed

Please attend this meeting so informed decisions can be made about this project and the cooperative effort of the community will move the project forward in making Palisade a better place to live. For more information please contact Scott Winans swinans@aol.com. 

 

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