OVERVIEW
Outside 285 is a collaboration of agencies, wildlife advocates and recreation user groups working together to develop shared solutions for public lands planning in the US 285 corridor southwest of Denver. The focus of the multi-stakeholder collaborative is to conserve wildlife habitat while improving trail-based recreation experiences.
Pressure on Our Public Lands
Since 2000, the Denver metropolitan region has grown by about 37% (790,000) and by 2040, the population is projected to increase by another 23% (693,000). Trail use has increased accordingly, resulting in crowding of popular areas, degradation of trails and infrastructure, increased conflict, increased pressure on wildlife, and an overall loss of solitude. These trends and issues were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in significant increase in trail access and use. Given this context, the Outside 285 Partnership has convened a diversity of stakeholders to explore tactics for protecting wildlife habitat, encouraging responsible use, and improving trail-based recreation facilities.
The Outside 285 Partnership strives to:
O285 PARTNERS
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers • Bailey Hundo • Bureau of Land Management – Royal Gorge Field Office • Colorado Department of Transportation • Colorado Mountain Bike Association • Colorado Mountain Club • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Colorado • Colorado State Land Board • Colorado Trail Foundation • Colorado Wildlife Federation • Denver Water • Douglas County • Front Range Back Country Horsemen • Human Potential Running Series • Jefferson County Open Space • Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative • Mountain Area Land Trust • National Wild Turkey Federation • Park County • Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation • Salida Mountain Trails • South Platte Enhancement Board • Trout Unlimited • Upper South Platte Partnership • U.S. Forest Service – Pike National Forest, South Platte and South Park Ranger Districts • U.S. Forest Service – Arapaho National Forest, Clear Creek Ranger District • Wild Connections
PROJECT NEWS
Responsible Use Messaging
The South Park working group of the Outside 285 Partnership developed a communication strategy and collection of media to support partners in their efforts [...]
Outside 285 Guiding Principles
The O285 Guiding Principles document outlines the Outside 285 Regional Partnerships goals, organizational structure, and shared values. The document also describes the Partnership's collaborative [...]
Survey Results
In Spring 2024, the Outside 285 partnership circulated a public survey - the Outside 285 Recreation and Conservation Survey - in order to [...]
Improving the Gill Trail in Cheesman Canyon
The Gill Trail runs along the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon and provides angler access to Gold Medal waters. Many years of off-trail [...]
COMBA’s Strike Force Hits the Trails
In March 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently funded a number of non-motorized trail projects in the Outside 285 study area. Outside 285 partners [...]
Outside 285 Projects Awarded Funding
In March 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently funded a number of non-motorized trail projects in the Outside 285 study area. Outside 285 partners [...]
