I just received the following scary letter from a buddy at the COHVCO in Colorado. Apparently, some anti-motorcycle hippies are trying to raid our own OHV registration funds and use them to SHUT DOWN TRAILS! The best way we can fight this at the moment is with a flood of letters, so please take a moment to send the pre-written form letter below.
Act now and help save some of the best trails in the Rockies!
**COHVCO ALERT**
We Need 200 More E-Mails by Wednesday 11/18/09
Please Act Now!
Thanks to all of you who have responded,
but more E-mails are needed to stop the raid!
To make it easier, if you have not sent your message yet,
we have created a form letter (below) for you
to send into State Parks.
Now it is a cinch to help protect your sport.
YOUR COLORADO OHV PROGRAM FUNDS ARE UNDER SERIOUS ATTACK !!!!!!!
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
Responsible Trails American, a notorious anti-access and anti-OHV preservationist organization from the east coast has an agenda to take your Colorado OHV registration funds. They want this money because in many cases funding trail maintenance is the only thing that stands between you and extensive closures. They want over 70% of your funds to go to law enforcement and trail closures. THIS IS NOT WHAT THESE FUNDS WERE INTENDED FOR!
HOW ARE THEY TRYING TO DO THIS?
By hiring a prominent local Colorado lobbying firm (yes, the same firm that tried to raid the OHV fund last year) to lobby the Park’s Board to force the use of our funds their way, which attempts to destroy the program. They have submitted a resolution to the Park’s Board to adopt at the November 20, 2009 Parks Board meeting. The entire resolution misrepresents our nearly 20 year old program. It spits in your face!
HOW CAN YOU STOP THEM?
They can only be stopped by the voice of the OHV community. You must contact the Colorado State Park’s Board to save your fund. If you do not, then your money will go towards the destruction of your sport!
YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THE COLORADO STATE PARKS BOARD!!
Tell them you are CONCERNED ABOUT OUR OHV FUNDS. The deadline for contacting them is: November 18, 2009
Click here: parksinfo@state.co.us to send an E-mail NOW to
The Colorado State Parks Board
Then Cut and Paste this Form Letter and Send E-Mail Now:
(Its OK to send just the Form Letter, but feel free to edit or add your own comments)
Mr. Dean Winstanley Director
And the Colorado Parks Board
Colorado State Parks
1313 Sherman Street, Suite 618
Denver, CO 80203
Dear Mr. Winstanley and Board members:
I strongly object to the Resolution submitted by the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance (SRCA). The SRCA Resolution would shift funds from critical trail maintenanceoperations currently funded by the OHV program. Doing so will result in mandatory closures of trails that do not meet “standard.”
The program has always struck the proper balance between maintenance, education, signing, and environmental protection. It is recognized by both the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management as one of the best programs in the country.
Decades ago, Colorado’s OHV community voluntarily “taxed themselves” to ensure that federal land managers would have the resources to manage our recreation. As an OHV recreationist who pays, I will not support these fees going to advance the agenda of anti-public access and anti-motorized recreation groups who do not pay to manage their recreational use.
The SRCA Resolution takes facts out of context as to the current status of OHV recreation in Colorado. The facts are that once Travel Management Plans are in place, compliance is increased, law enforcement is effective, and impacts are reduced.
Colorado’s OHV Program directly responds to priorities of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as the state funded projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
In response to concerns about unlawful OHV use, our community supported HB1069, which is designed as a highly effective enforcement tool. HB1069, passed in 2008 allows every law enforcement officer in the state to enforce restrictions on OHV travel, more enforcement is not necessary as only a small number violate the law.
Colorado’s OHV Program was intended to provide those that pay into it with recreational opportunities. People or organizations from outside Colorado should not be allowed to modify a statute to the detriment of those who pay their way.
The Program is far different from similar programs in other states, and is not in need of tying up funds to satisfy outside interests; our program is uniquely well operated.
A recent legislative audit found that the OHV Program was in compliance with the law and very properly administrated.
Sincerely,
(BE SURE TO Include your name and address)
–
Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition
