I don't know how much money I've spent taking trips to Colorado in the past, but I know it was a LOT more than the $40 I just spent to support COHVCO in their fight to keep places to ride open.
Who knows- if enough of us donate, we might actually be able to continue riding in the great state of Colorado!
Now I'll get down off my soapbox!Hello Fellow Dirt Bikers, Dual Sport and Adventure Riders:
Our sport is under attack like never before. The liberal tree huggers have become emboldened by our liberal administration, they are well funded and their agenda is to close every trail, jeep road, and forest service road they can. I've been actively involved in motorized land access issues for 30 years and I've never seen our sport under attack like it is today.
My home state of Colorado is a battleground state, always has been, always will be. There are more tree huggers per capita in this state than any other and radical anti-motorized access groups from all over the nation focus on Colorado. Although their current focus is motorized use, mountain bikers beware, you are on their radar.
In Colorado we are currently involved in 3 major land access legal battles. One of which is just 10 minutes away from my office. This latest litigation involves the Bear Creek trail system, otherwise known as Captain Jacks. There are over 100 hiking and mtn. bike trails in this county (Colorado's largest county) and only one motorcycle trail, which is now closed until further notice. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) from Arizona has sued the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Springs Utilities to protect an allegedly rare and endangered green back cutthroat trout located in Bear Creek. They contend that trail erosion and the resulting sediment caused by motorcycles (not by the mtn. bikers, hikers, or horses that use the trail) are killing the fish.
Our local motorcycle club, CMTRA, has spent over $160,000 to build bridges over the stream, has trail maintenance days to mitigate trail damage, has done re-routes for sustainability, and general maintenance. Reports show that the fish are thriving, yet we are still under attack.
Why should you care, especially if you don't even live in Colorado??? Well, every summer Colorado is overrun with all types of motorcycle and ATV enthusiast and groups from EVERY STATE in the union. It is the national playground. The internet is destroying our state and many other Rocky Mtn. states by generating increased traffic. Everyone comes or wants to come "ride Colorado". They use and abuse our vast network of trails, jeep roads, and dirt roads then go home without ever donating a dime or lifting a finger to help, leaving us with the mess.
By the numbers, the pathetic numbers; Let's just use Colorado as an example as I'm sure it's a reflection of many other states. There are over 200,000 people that should care and participate and donate to land access issues. Over 200,000 registered off-road vehicles, and this does not include the 1000s of unregistered motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. There are 30,000 motorcycles, 100,000 ATVs, 50,000 4x4s, and 30,000 snowmobiles. One of the 2 organizations that fights for all of these groups, the guys that bust their butts every day for little or no pay, the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), struggles to keep 2000 members. 2000!!! That is pathetic. 1% of the users give a damn. 1%!!! Think about it. Only 1% will give $30 stinkin bucks to be a member of the organization that fights for their right to ride.
More numbers; It cost an easy $100,000 to fight every lawsuit and we are currently in 3, that makes $300K that we don't have. The Bear Creek litigation has barely begun and the legal fees are already $14,000 and the donations are $11,000. That $11K has come from a relatively small amount of riders. Many riders have called me to complain about Jacks being closed, but few have donated to the legal defense fund.
Even more numbers; The majority of off-highway vehicle users drive a $40,000 to $70,000 truck, have $5000 to $50,000 worth of toys in the garage, live in a $200,000 to $500,000 house, and spend $1000s every year on those toys. Seems like a bare minimum of $30, for a membership or donation, should be part of those numbers.
How can you help? Get involved! Join COHVCO, http://www.cohvco.org and donate to the legal defense fund of COHVCO and the legal defense fund of the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance,www.coloradotpa.org. These are the 2 organizations that fight all of our battles in Colorado. They work together on ALL land access issues in this state and assist in legal defense for Utah and New Mexico.
Note: This email is not intended to offend anyone. It's just an honest, factual report on the state of our sport. If more riders don't get involved, we won't have anywhere to ride in just a few years. We need help....NOW!
The Slavens Challenge
At Slavens Racing we are committed to land access issues and we fully realize that the days of the free ride are long gone. There is nothing free about freedom and it cost big bucks to protect our right to ride!
The Slavens Challenge; we will match all donations to the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance, http://www.coloradotpa.org, legal defense fund up to $3000. Donate $5, $50, $500 or whatever amount you choose, and we will match it up to $3000. Send them a check, send us a check payable to them or pay online via Paypal, write or type "Slavens Challenge" on the donation, and we will match your donation.
Thank you in advance for your help. Do what you can and please get involved.
Regards,
Jeff Slavens
