Two Colorado Locations Selected as Leave No Trace "Spotlight" Sites

The Leave No Trace (LNT) organization has chosen two places in Colorado as 2024 Spotlight sites: the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District and the City of Westminster Parks and Open Space.

While public lands across the West are getting a thorough beating from record human visitation, LNT is shining a spotlight on places where land managers and local officials are stepping up their game to meet the new challenges.

The Spotlight program includes multi-day, onsite education and restoration initiatives.

"The Leave No Trace Spotlight program brings together our shared love for the outdoors with a dedication to preserving its well-being and beauty," notes the LNT website.

"We hand-select nominated outdoor spaces that need our collective care and attention. By designating them as Spotlights, we’re rallying the local community to step up, join forces with Leave No Trace, and make a meaningful impact that can revitalize and protect these special places where we recreate, enjoy one another’s company, and elevate our health physically, mentally and emotionally."

Here are some ways to get involved (plucked straight from the LNT website):

Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District

Saturday, June 29: Leave No Trace Pop-up Education & Outreach, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Gore Creek Trailhead, East Terminus of Bighorn Road, Vail, CO

Join Leave No Trace, Town of Vail, and USFS staff and partners for engaging outreach and education, meet the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team, and learn more about Leave No Trace and how to protect the incredible natural areas in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District and all your favorite outdoor spaces. Local organizations will have information tables set up to share more information about opportunities to get involved locally.

Park for free in Vail Village Parking Structure and bus for free with the Hiker Express Shuttle that runs every 30 minutes on the :15 and :45 from Vail Transportation Center from 7:45 am – 4:45 pm.

The program will be set up at Gore Creek Trailhead, East Terminus of Bighorn Road, Vail, CO.

Sunday, June 30: Volunteer Stewardship Project, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Meet at Vail Transportation Center or the trailhead where you plan to work (Gore Creek Trailhead or the North Trail – Red Sandstone Trailhead)

Join Leave No Trace, Town of Vail, and USFS staff and partners in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District for a fun volunteer day and stewardship project. Volunteers will work on a variety of projects such as trail maintenance and other needed restoration work. Advance sign up is encouraged.

We encourage volunteers to take free shuttle buses from the Vail Transportation Center to either the Gore Creek Trailhead or the North Trail – Red Sandstone Trailhead. Participants may also meet at the trailhead they from which they want to work.

City of Westminster Parks and Open Space

Friday, June 7: Leave No Trace Pop-up Education & Outreach, 9 am – 12 pm, Westminster Hills Open Space East Lot 10499 Simms St, Westminster CO 80005.

Join Leave No Trace and City of Wesminster staff for engaging and family-friendly outreach and education, meet the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team, and play quick games to learn more about Leave No Trace and how to protect all your favorite outdoor spaces in Westminster and beyond.

Saturday, June 8: Leave No Trace Stewardship Day @ Lower Church Creek Open Space, 8 am – 12 pm, 10800 Wadsworth Blvd, Westminster, CO 80021

Join City of Wesminster Parks & Recreation and Leave No Trace staff and partners to celebrate National Trails Day and the Leave No Trace Spotlight. We will be coordinating a volunteer effort to construct a bridge and perform some trail maintenance at Lower Church Lake.

Volunteers will meet at Lower Church Lake Open Space at 8:00 am. Leave No Trace will provide education on enjoying the outdoors responsibly and minimizing our impacts. City staff will provide additional education and all tools required for the job. Volunteer signups will be capped at 50 volunteers. Please bring your own water and work gloves. A water cooler will be provided.

For more information, please visit the LNT website: https://lnt.org/2024-spotlight-locations-announced/ .

Here's some advice on Leave No Trace principles at summer festivals:

See you out there, but not a trace of your passing.