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BLM-backed reroutes proposed for Phil’s World trails reduce motorized mileage by 1.5 miles
Summary
County staff and BLM-affiliated presenters outlined proposed trail reroutes at Phil’s World (Fields World) to avoid archaeological sites; the plan uses a Determination of NEPA Adequacy, reduces motorized single-track by about 1.5 miles and will use state OHV grant funds and conservation corps crews for implementation.
A presenter identified as Derek Padilla briefed the Montezuma County commissioners on Feb. 24 about proposed reroutes at Phil’s World (referred to in the presentation as Fields World) designed to avoid archaeological resources discovered in cultural surveys.
Padilla said the reroutes were developed after completing cultural-resource surveys and a memorandum of understanding with the State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate impacts. The plan marks existing trail segments for closure (shown in orange on the map presented to commissioners) and new construction elsewhere (shown in green). He said the net effect is about 1.5 fewer miles of motorized single-track in the Phil’s World area.
Padilla said the agency used a Determination of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Adequacy tiering to the original environmental assessment, meaning the reroutes do not require a new full EA public process because the original EA anticipated potential reroutes and allowed later assessment by DOA (determination of adequacy). He said reroutes for mechanized (non-motorized) single-track were coordinated with the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association, which supports those changes.
Padilla said the decision is expected to be signed in the next few weeks and that implementation would begin in summer using Southwest Conservation Corps crews; funding is expected through a state off-highway vehicle (OHV) grant. He said the reroutes were designed to preserve east–west connectivity and loop structure for users, and that most motorized use in the system is local and limited in mileage.
Commissioners asked whether the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde race would be affected; Padilla said the race routing would not be impacted by the reroutes and that some reroutes might add new trail opportunities. Commissioners expressed concern that reductions in one area should be balanced by increases elsewhere; Padilla pointed to prior work in the Mud Springs area and other sites where motorized opportunities were added during earlier planning.
Padilla said mechanized reroutes were coordinated with cycling stakeholders and that private-land avoidance was a factor in some changes. He noted the plan reduces motorized mileage but keeps connectivity and loops.
