Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

09/21/2026

We spent this past weekend the best way possible - by the river, meeting new friends.

More than 50 rafters greeted us at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs, fresh off the Colorado River, to talk about Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and their impact on our waterways.

Our partners from Colorado Parks and Wildlife explained how invasive species like zebra mussels hitch rides on boats, waders, and gear, and shared the three steps that stop them: Clean. Drain. Dry. Then, folks went home with a kit to do just that.

Thank you, Wilderness Workshop and Defiende Nuestra Tierra, for the invite and for bringing Latino Conservation Week to the Roaring Fork Valley.

And thank you to our river users for cleaning, draining, and drying your gear between every use. It's one of the best tools we have for keeping Colorado's waters healthy.

Learn more about ANS at cpw.state.co.us/oh-shell-no.

09/14/2026

Big thanks to Aspen Fire and the wildfire fuel mitigation crews who have been hustling over the past few months to keep our communities safer from future wildfires.

So far, crews have moved through Shadow Mountain, Burlingame/AABC/North 40, and Smuggler Mountain. This work reduces the continuity and quantity of wildfire fuels (vegetation) on the landscape, improves firefighter access, and creates a more resilient buffer between neighborhoods and the surrounding landscape.

We’re grateful to the team that came together to make this important work happen, and proud to have offered our help to ensure that the vegetation thinning also improved habitat conditions in our open spaces.

While the hillsides might look different this fall, we've seen time and again that short-term disturbance leads to long-term resilience and rejuvenation in these areas.

09/08/2026

Clean, Drain, and Dry just got a little easier!

If you’re playing in the water at Jaffee or Stein Park, you’ll find a new wader cleaning station to use.

Wader cleaning stations are free, easy to use, and one of the best resources for slowing the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).

Anglers and boaters can use the tools and cleaners at each station to scrub off and disinfect fishing boots, waders, and river gear.

Whether you're wade fishing a favorite stretch of river, floating a raft, or paddling a SUP, the ask is the same: Clean, Drain, and Dry all gear after every use.

Learn more about ANS and find more stations from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Thanks to our partners, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Ruedi Water and Power Authority, Roaring Fork Conservancy, City of Aspen Government, and Pitkin County Healthy Rivers, for helping our community be a Pain in the ANS in the Roaring Fork Watershed.

09/04/2026

Pitkin and Eagle Counties have downgraded to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions following improved local conditions and coordination with regional fire officials and federal land management partners.

What this means:
⚬ Fires are permitted only in designated fire grates at developed recreation sites, permanent fire pits or rings at private residences enclosed in steel or concrete, or gas and propane devices that can be turned off with a valve.
⚬ Fireworks and other devices that produce fire, smoke, or sparks are not permitted.
⚬ Smoking is permitted only inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or in an outdoor urban area free of flammable materials.
⚬ Welding, torch work, and engines without approved spark arresters may be used only in cleared areas free of flammable vegetation with a fire extinguisher readily available. Commercial operators should contact their local fire district about exemption requirements.

For more on Pitkin County restrictions, visit pitkinemergency.org.

For more on Eagle County restrictions, visit ecemergency.org.

09/02/2026

We have some new news for you! Check out our September 2026 Open Space & Trails E-Newsletter for the latest and greatest.

This edition includes articles about:

⚬ Snowmass Creek Trailhead Parking Area improvements underway
⚬ New fishing wader cleaning stations available to help you be a Pain in the ANS
⚬ Volunteer Spotlight: RFOV and RMYC get into the w**ds
⚬ Wildfire fuel mitigation work moves to Smuggler Mountain

Check your inbox for the full edition!

Not on our list? Subscribe here 👉 PitkinCounty.com/1708/Stay-Connected

08/31/2026

Hanging onto friendship, rock, and the late afternoon sun.

This photo, taken of a group of climbers atop Gold Butte by Beau Toepfer, is featured this month in the 2026 Open Space & Trails calendar.

Think your photo can make the cut for next year? Send your best open space and trail photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in the calendar or on social media.

Learn more at https://pitkincounty.com/1704/Annual-Print-Calendar.

08/27/2026

🚧 Smuggler Mountain Road Maintenance Update 🛠️

Pitkin County is doing annual road maintenance on Smuggler Mountain Road today, August 27, and Monday, August 31, 2026. Take care while recreating on this route.

08/24/2026

Staff Spotlight!

Meet the rest of the folks who make up our summer seasonal staff! Our Natural Resources team works to protect wildlife and natural resources through stewardship, education, and monitoring across our properties.

⚬ Sam Lowsky, our Natural Resource Intern, is splitting his time between the field crew and conservation easement monitoring. He's with us until mid-September, so you can consider Sam officially "rooted" in for the summer!

⚬ Mark Hoblitzell is our newest seasonal Natural Resource Technician. He brings a wealth of field experience and enthusiasm to match. He recently completed his Colorado W**d Management Association (CWMA) Technician Training - proof that he's already "budding" into the role.

⚬ Alexis Dabulewicz is back for a second season, splitting her time between our agricultural lease program and natural resources work, with a focus on soil sampling and w**d and pest issues. She continues to advance her expertise in monitoring, mapping, and drones, and this season she's added something new: educating the community about Aquatic Nuisance Species through our watershed portals. Whether it grows, crawls, or needs monitoring, Alexis has been on it.

If you spot Sam, Mark, or Alexis out in the field this summer, give them a wave!

08/20/2026

E-bikes vs e-motos. Do you know the difference?

🚴 Class 1 E-bikes are pedal-assist only, can only go up to 20 mph, and don’t have a throttle. These are the only type of e-bike allowed on Pitkin County trails, and they are only allowed on select paved/crusher fine paths, including Rio Grande, Brush Creek, Owl Creek, and East of Aspen Trails.

🚴 Class 2 E-bikes are throttle-assist, go up to 20 mph, and don’t have to be pedaled, although they do have working pedals.

🚴 Class 3 E-bikes are pedal-assist only (no throttle) and can reach 28 mph.

🏍️ E-motos are motor-driven and don’t require pedaling. They may have pedals, but they aren’t operational. E-motos can go a lot faster than 28 mph.

🚫 Class 2 & 3 E-bikes and e-motos are NOT allowed on Pitkin County trails.

Thanks to Basalt Police for providing this helpful graphic!

For more information about what’s allowed and not allowed on Pitkin County trails, visit https://pitkincounty.com/1514/E-Biking-in-Pitkin-County.

🚴‍♂️☀️ SCHOOL’S OUT, SUMMER IS HERE! ☀️🏍️

With school out and summer in full swing, we’re seeing more kids, families, cyclists, pedestrians, e-bike riders, and outdoor enthusiasts enjoying everything Basalt has to offer.

As our parks, sidewalks, bike paths, trails, and streets become busier, the Basalt Police Department wants to remind everyone to be patient, courteous, and respectful of one another. A simple wave, a smile, or slowing down for someone else can go a long way toward keeping our community safe and welcoming.

We also encourage parents to take a few minutes to review the differences between E-Bikes and E-Motos. While they may look similar, Colorado law treats them very differently. Understanding the rules can help keep our young riders safe, legal, and out of trouble.

Let’s work together to make this a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone.

🚶‍♀️ Share the path.
🚴 Yield when appropriate.
🏍️ Know your ride.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Look out for one another.

And remember… the goal is for everyone to get home safely—with all their scrapes coming from the playground, not from avoidable crashes. 😉

Drop a 🚲, 🏍️, or ☀️ in the comments and let us know how you’re enjoying summer in Basalt!