Boulder County cools on alternating trail access pilot

The latest: Commissioners reviewed three staff proposals, including weekday hiker- and biker-only access at Heil Valley and Hall Ranch and rotating one-way trail designations on select trails.

• Staff's preferred option dropped alternating use entirely in favor of rotating one-way trail designations at Wild Turkey and Ponderosa.

Friction point: Mountain bikers strongly reject alternating use, saying it would disproportionately punish riders, who already have fewer trails and a shorter riding season.

• Many residents also argue that trail conflicts remain relatively rare and can be solved using less drastic measures.

What they're saying: Commissioners Ashley Stolzmann and Marta Loachamin did not back any pilot, though Loachamin briefly considered directional trails.

• Loachamin, who said she's new to hiking in Boulder County, questioned whether there's enough evidence of a problem. "What are we trying to solve? ... I just haven't experienced it."

The other side: Commissioner Claire Levy was the lone supporter of testing alternating use, saying she worried there's a perception that "one user group has dominated" certain trails and areas.

• "If we want to try something out, we ought to try something that might be a little more impactful," Levy said.

What we're watching: No vote was taken, but staff said Tuesday's discussion pointed toward focusing on education, signage and trail management instead of launching an alternating-use pilot.

• Wendy Sweet, executive director of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance, said she would be open to further directional loop discussions where they made sense.
• ""Generally, most people go the same way," Sweet said.