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Canyons of the Ancients and BLM report luminary event, 200 trespass horses and new off‑trail mountain‑bike rules
Summary
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and BLM staff told commissioners about a winter visitor event, an estimated 200 trespass horses with tribal collaboration planned, and newly finalized supplementary rules that allow enforcement of off‑trail mountain biking violations.
Ray O'Neil, Monument Manager for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and BLM staff briefed the commissioners on visitor programming, trespass horses and recent rulemaking.
O'Neil thanked the county for signing a right‑of‑way memorandum of understanding that enables access to the Lamb House from the eastern Sand Canyon trailhead and described a luminary event the monument hosted that drew a large public turnout. "We think we had 500 people coming through," O'Neil said, noting 1,300 luminary bags were placed along the visitor center courtyard and trails and that many longtime local visitors returned to attend.
O'Neil said the monument estimates about 200 trespass horses on monument lands and that the Ute Mountain Ute Scribe has agreed to claim and assist with removal; the monument expects to begin gather operations as soon as January, subject to interagency logistics. "We believe that we have about 200 horses on the monument and we're still moving forward with that," O'Neil said.
BLM staff (Derek) reported new seasonal wildlife restrictions in effect Dec. 1 through April 30 for Summit Ridge, Chutes and Ladders, and the aqueduct trail system near Mancos. He also said two resource management plan amendments—the Big Game Resource Management Plan Amendment and the Gunnison Sage‑Grouse Resource Management Plan amendment—have been finalized and signed; implementation meetings with the state will follow. Derek said supplementary rules were approved at headquarters and will be published in the Federal Register; those rules give the agency enforcement tools such as issuing violation notices for off‑trail mountain biking where travel management planning has closed cross‑country travel corridors.
Derek cautioned that the new supplementary rules may draw attention from cycling groups; he said those groups had opportunities to comment during the planning process but missed the formal comment windows. "Someone did notice that, the supplemental rules say, possession of a, mountain bike off trail, you know, you could be, cited for," Derek said, describing a recent complaint and outreach by a concerned landowner and cycling organization.
Why it matters: the monument’s gather plan for trespass horses, new BLM supplementary rules and seasonal closures affect public access and resource protection; the right‑of‑way MOU improves site access for monument management and public programming.
