Trailmix committee votes to recommend temporary expansion of Bar M parking for large events

The Grand County Trailmix Committee voted July 14 to recommend that the Grand County Commission seek permission for a temporary expansion of the Bar M (Bar M Trailhead) parking area to support large events, including high‑school NICA races.

Colin Topper, a NICA coach and parent, described the request and the problems the program has faced at Bar M, citing past years when parking, bussing across the highway and double‑charging by a private landowner created safety and operational issues. "We're asking for a temporary opening of 4.5 acres that will be NICA's responsibility to open, to fence, to have traffic control...and then to clean and remediate the impacts," Topper said, highlighting the program’s stewardship history and the economic benefit of hosting races.

Speakers raised practical concerns about traffic management, the difference between temporary and permanent expansion, and who would manage on‑site operations. One committee member said the existing parking area is heavily impacted on busy weekends and that a temporary expansion would more than double the current three‑acre area in that location. Outfitters and shuttle operators supported a managed expansion to reduce unsafe across‑road bussing.

Samantha Derbyshire led the action item. The committee motioned to send a letter to the Grand County Commission recommending expanded Bar M parking for events, to be managed by event holders; a member seconded the motion. A recusal was recorded for one member; the motion passed with no recorded roll‑call opposition on the transcript.

The committee’s recommendation is nonbinding and will be considered by the Grand County Commission, which has authority to request BLM permission or to take other steps. The motion’s text and the committee’s letter to the commission will be drafted and circulated as the next administrative steps.