CPW is gearing up for Bike Your Park Day

STATEWIDE – Colorado Parks and Wildlife welcomes residents and visitors alike to join Bike Your Park Day on Sept. 30. This national event encourages people to explore and discover their nearby parks and public lands by bicycle. Colorado’s 41 state parks offer 727 miles of trails, with a variety of both road and mountain biking trails that will satisfy and challenge cyclists at any level of experience.

“The importance of trails - both inside our parks and those we help to maintain across the state - cannot be overstated,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Bob Broscheid. “Well-maintained and managed trail systems provide the outstanding recreational opportunities Colorado is known for. Additionally, trails have a positive impact on public health, local economics and community pride. Events such as Bike Your Park Day allow people to enjoy all of those benefits in their neighborhoods and our state parks.”

Those interested in participating can now easily plan their ideal cycling trips using the Colorado Trail Explorer, COTREX, a trail map that aims to map every trail in the state of Colorado. COTREX currently tracks 39,000 miles of trails, including 6,821 miles of mountain biking trails, and 1,746 miles of paved bike trails on federal, state and local lands. CPW developed the trail map as part of Governor John Hickenlooper’s “Colorado the Beautiful” initiative, which seeks to connect Colorado residents with open space, public lands and the outdoors.

Since 2000, CPW’s Trails Program has distributed more than $102 million for trail grants that benefit year-round trail use. These grants are awarded to provide trail improvements, trail maintenance, rider education and other programs on local, state and federal lands.

Bike Your Park Day coincides with National Public Lands Day, and participants are encouraged to take part in service projects as part of the day. Last year, more than 11,000 people in all 50 states and 10 countries hit the trails for the inaugural Bike Your Park Day.

Interested bicyclists can register to create a custom event, or search the interactive map to find and join an established event. All registrants for the event are eligible to win prizes, including new bikes and an Amtrak trip to Glacier National Park.

For more information about planning Bike Your Park Day events, visit the Adventure Cycling Association or find state park events at cpw.state.co.us.