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MTG is continuing to take an active role in protecting our public lands from illegal trespass. We encourage each person who enjoys the trails to contact their public lands managers and elected representatives to voice your concern regarding this land grab. 
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It's also important, especially with the damage caused by fence (now removed) to remind folks that there are folks that have legal easements in the Chicken Creek area. Rush Ditch (the creek) is one such easement. There is a 50 foot easement on either side that shareholders use heavy equipment and OHVs in order to maintain the ditch. Like other trail systems in the area many current trails use historical roads. We ask that trail users traveling in the Chicken Creek area assume positive intent, as there are folks with legally established easements.  You may have heard about the recent construction of new fencing in the Chicken Creek area. MTG has been in contact with the Forest Service since it came to our attention last week, and like many Montezuma County recreationists, we are concerned. As of Saturday, 10/12/24, all of the fence has been taken down by volunteers from the Mancos community. This has been a unique opportunity for virtually all citizens of the county to come together - cattle ranchers, grazing allotment holders, motorized trail users, cross country skiers, hunters, horseback riders, snowmobilers, trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, and virtually every other user group worked side by side for two days to remove 4.5 miles of new fencing. We are all united in our use of and love of the national forest. However, we are not out of the woods yet regarding this issue as the next step is for the Forest Service to file litigation to prove ownership in the courts. It's important that word gets out that the people of Mancos LOVE our public lands, and that we LOVE Chicken Creek! It's important that everyone knows that we care. What can you do? -Nick Mustoe, District Ranger [email protected], 928-266-5226 -Dave Neely, Forest Supervisor [email protected] -Senator Michael Bennet, 202-224-5852, https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/?p=contact Facebook, @SenatorBennet -Senator John Hickenlooper, 202-224-5941, https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/email-john/.... Facebook, @senatorhick There has been a lot of news coverage, see below for links to several news sources that provide some background information. https://www.the-journal.com/.../residents-remove-free.../ https://www.ksjd.org/.../free-land-holders-land-dispute... https://coloradosun.com/.../free-land-holder-forest-service/  The summer, and especially the August monsoon rains, impacted the Mancos Spur Trail in the La Plata Mountains. This lead to dense overgrowth and numerous downed trees. Due to a storm forecast, we had to cancel last month's Saturday trail work, but that didn't keep volunteers and trail adopters from working other days under more favorable skies. It took a few days to clear over a mile of dense brush, overhanding branches and eighteen downed trees. A huge thanks to the trail volunteers for their hard work keeping the trails clear!  Mancos Brewing Company is a huge supporter of MTG and we're happy to share news of the Summer Brewfest!
This year the Mancos Valley Summer Brewfest will be August 17th. Raising money for Mancos Valley Resources and Mancos FoodShare. Doors open at 1 pm, and music starts at 2 with Alex Westphal and the Blues Quartet on stage, followed by Farmington Hill at 4, and Little Wilderness at 6 pm to finish out what will be an awesome day of music. Beers served by Mancos Brewery, WildEdge Brewing Collective, Dolores River Brewery and Anarchy Brewing, Wine and Cider from Fenceline. More details can be found at Mancos Brewing Company's website or by visiting the Eventbrite ticket link.  July 8-14, 2024
Immerse yourself in the awe of National Forest Week™ Find Your AWEsomeThe spectacular 193 million acres of our country's National Forests and Grasslands stretch from Alaska’s snow-capped peaks to Florida’s lush longleaf pine forests. Red rock deserts, sprawling grasslands, hardwood forests, and fascinating history await you when you visit National Forests and Grasslands. They are places for rest, rejuvenation, and adventure that fill us with awe for the natural world. Every July, the National Forest Foundation celebrates all the ways National Forests and Grasslands care for and inspire us during National Forest Week™. This year, we challenge you to find your AWEsome on a National Forest or Grassland. Whether it is a thrilling whitewater adventure or a quiet evening by the campfire, there are countless ways to experience the wonder of these incredible public lands. https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/national-forest-week Exciting news! Thanks to Nicci Gray Crowley from LOR Foundation for the grant for the Aqueduct Pavilion; and to the BLM Recreation Staff Joe, Jason, Jon & Travis for the materials and hard work building the changing room and providing the picnic table and Porta potty. Although the trail system is in great need of rain to help pack in the trail dust, the parking lot amenities are fantastic!
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