Slide Mountain Trails says volunteer hours surged; asks county to support grants

Representatives from Slide Mountain Trails told Chaffee County commissioners that the nonprofit has expanded staff, professionalized volunteer leadership and increased stewardship output.

John Turbidge reported that SMT completed about 4,500 hours of trail stewardship last year — roughly 60% more than two years prior — including about 1,800 volunteer hours, which Turbidge valued at more than $60,000 of in‑kind labor. He said the organization converted a seasonal hire into a full‑time field programs director and added crew leaders and a certified “strike team” to perform more technically complex trail and erosion work. “We did about 4500 hours of trail stewardship, which is 60% more than 2 years prior,” he said.

Mel Albert described training improvements — wilderness medicine, chainsaw and crosscut certifications — and new volunteer steward and crew‑leader structures designed to improve safety and project quality. SMT representatives highlighted completed projects (Virmac/Burbank Trailhead upgrades, Rainbow Trail tree removal) and ongoing work rebuilding a failing bridge on Stout Creek. Commissioners praised the effort and asked about coordination with neighboring organizations and land managers as SMT considers expanding outside the county footprint.