In April 2025, CPW and GOCO committed $50 million to the RPI grant program over the next five years to support the Strategy’s on-the-ground implementation. These grant awards are the first of five annual implementation-focused award cycles to come.
Regional partnerships supported this round are leading significant efforts for Colorado’s diverse recreation opportunities, wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture, such as:
$1,610,825 to Outside 285
Outside 285 encompasses the foothills region southwest of Denver within portions of several counties that serve as the beloved rural “backyard” for the metro area. Funds will restore sensitive wildlife habitat and improve visitor experience in the Indian Creek trail system by eliminating social trails, constructing new routes, and developing signage and wayfinding in the area. Awarded funds will also advance work near several 14ers in the Mosquito Range west of Fairplay, protecting critical wildlife habitat and water resources while improving trails and recreational access. A project centered at Mount Silverheels will protect bighorn sheep habitat by closing social trails, rehabilitating sensitive habitat, and establishing a sustainable summit trail on this popular 13er.
$2,500,000 to Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA)
As part of its Peak Exceptionalism Project, the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) will lead several efforts alongside project partners advancing conservation and sustainable recreation across the Pikes Peak Region, which includes El Paso, Fremont, and Teller counties and welcomes over 25 million visitors each year. The partnership will construct, realign, and authorize segments of the currently 63-mile Ring the Peak (RTP) Trail encircling Pikes Peak. Partners will also restore 300 acres within Dome Rock State Wildlife Area to improve bighorn sheep habitat, lower wildfire risk, and foster a more resilient ecosystem. Camping opportunities will be enhanced along the RTP corridor and the Gold Belt Scenic Byway, with new campsites and access points added at Red Canyon Park. A three-year ambassador program will deploy trained staff to educate visitors, maintain trails, and collect recreation-use data. These initiatives build on a four-year planning effort that engaged more than 1,400 community members in shaping a shared vision for the region’s outdoor spaces.
$560,000 to NoCo Places
NoCo Places is a partnership of nine public land agencies in the northern Front Range, formed in 2018 to address rising visitation and promote sustainable recreation, equitable access, and conservation. The NoCo Places Conservation and Recreation Vision, finalized in May 2024, lays out key strategic actions for the region. Grant funding will support staff capacity and one year of a program that will begin to assess 345 miles of user-created trails to determine whether they should be restored, closed, monitored, or added to the formal trail system. This landscape-scale work aims to reduce habitat fragmentation, protect wildlife corridors, and improve recreation experiences while fostering a culture of responsible outdoor use.
For the complete list of initiatives, please click here.
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Check out our online trail guides:
- Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com
- Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com
- Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
