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BLM proposes Phil’s World reroutes; plan would cut 1.5 miles of motorized trail to avoid cultural sites
Summary
BLM staff described reroutes for Phil’s World trail system tied to Section 106 compliance; the plan would construct new segments, close others and reduce motorized mileage by about 1.5 miles; Southwest Colorado Cycling Association supports mechanized reroutes and work would use state OHV grant and conservation corps crews.
A Bureau of Land Management representative told the Montezuma County commissioners on Feb. 24 that the agency intends to finalize reroutes and closures in the Phil’s World trail system after completing cultural‑resource surveys and mitigation agreed with the State Historic Preservation Office.
The BLM speaker said the agency resolved an earlier Section 106 consultation gap tied to the Phil’s World 1 system during the Phil’s World 2 expansion and entered a memorandum of understanding with the State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate any impacts identified by later surveys. The agency’s proposed map shows proposed closures (marked in orange) and new construction (marked in green); the net result is about 1.5 miles fewer motorized trail miles in the system.
“Due to several resource concerns out there, this was the best that we could do,” the BLM representative said, adding that the plan maintains east‑west connectivity and loops through Phil’s World. The speaker said motorized single‑track in the area totals roughly 15 miles and that most users are local riders who use short loops for evening rides.
BLM staff said reroutes affecting mechanized (nonmotorized) trails were developed in coordination with the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association (SWCCA), which supports the planned changes. The BLM also said it is using a Determination of NEPA Adequacy tiered to the original environmental assessment to avoid a repeat full EA public process; work is planned for summer using Southwest Conservation Corps crews and is funded by a state Off‑Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant.
County commissioners asked whether the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde race would be affected; the BLM representative said the race would not be impacted by these reroutes and that some reroutes may even provide new trail for future events. Commissioners expressed concern that reductions in trail miles are typically permanent and noted the agency had expanded other motorized opportunities in nearby Mud Springs and the aqueduct system.
BLM staff also reported they would sign a decision record in the coming weeks and proceed with implementation if the state OHV grant remains available.
No formal county vote was recorded.
