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Inventory of current initiatives, plans, and collaborations: Local, Regional, State, Tribal, and Federal
This table displays the many initiatives that seek to safeguard the health of and access to public lands in La Plata and San Juan counties. This page is continuously being updated. If you know of additional initiatives or corrections to the table, please email sccorr@sjma.org.
Scope | Initiative Name | Date Established / Updated | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
State | Action Plan to Advance Preservation in Colorado (History Colorado) | 2020 | Cultural Resource Protection; Inclusive storytelling |
Regional | Animas Drinking Water Alliance Source Water Protection Plan | 2015 | The ADWA is a collaboration of eight Public Water Systems that provide drinking water to approximately 20,100 residents located within La Plata and San Juan Counties, Colorado. Proactive planning and implementing contamination prevention strategies are essential to protect the long-term integrity of the water supply and to limit costs and liabilities. |
Regional | Animas Headwater Ecological Action Division (AHEAD) | 2022 | Action plan that incorporates ecological watershed management, recreation, and economic development. An assessment is needed to better evaluate watershed conditions, synthesize stakeholder input, identify potential restoration projects, and get ahead of possible funding opportunities. |
Regional | Animas River Community Forum | 2019 | The Animas River Community Forum (ARCF) is a group of citizens, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that came together in response to the Gold King Mine release in summer of 2015. Our purpose is to: promote communication, coordination, and collaborative action; foster public confidence; support resiliency in our communities; enhance planning, and improved public safety and health for the future. |
Regional | Animas Watershed Partnership (AWP) | 2002 | Our mission is to protect and improve the quality of water resources; to benefit the Animas River, now and in the future. |
Federal | BLM Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation | 2023 | Grow and Diversify Resources for BLM Recreation, Prioritize and Embrace Partnerships, Expand Outreach and Establish a Culture of Inclusion; Meet the Demand, Protect Resources, and Improve Access |
Federal | BLM Connecting with Communities Recreation Strategy | 2020 | Coordinate with Community and Regional Landscape-Level Representatives, Prioritize Recreation Areas with Significant Public Benefits, Leverage Community Partner Organizations |
Federal | BLM Resource Management Plans - Colorado | various | Collaborative, Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to Land and Resource Management Actions |
Federal | BLM: Conservation & Landscape Health Rule | 2024 | The Conservation and Landscape Health Rule helps safeguard the health of our public lands for current and future generations by ensuring that we: protect clean water and wildlife habitat, restore lands and waters that need it, and make informed management decisions based on science, data, and Indigenous knowledge. The rule recognizes conservation as an essential component of public lands management, on equal footing with other multiple uses of these lands. |
State | Big Game Policy Report (DNR, CDOT) | 2021 | Opportunities to Improve Sensitive Habitat and Movement Route Connectivity for Colorado's Big Game Species |
Local | Bonita Peak Mining District - Community Advisory Group | 2019 | The Bonita Peak CAG serves as an informational conduit between diverse community interests and U.S. EPA and its governmental partners with regard to activities at the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site and their effects on the Animas River watershed within Colorado. In its advisory capacity, the CAG desires outcomes that are: protective of human health and the environment, feasible and practicable, conducted expeditiously and efficiently, and mindful of community cultural, social and economic interests. |
State | CDOT Colorado Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan | 2012 (updating in 2024-2025) | Expand Recreational Opportunities and Enhance Quality of Life |
Regional | CFLRP Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program | 2009 | The purpose of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program is to encourage the collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes and: encourage ecological, economic, and social sustainability; leverage local resources with national and private resources; facilitate the reduction of wildfire management costs, including through re-establishing natural fire regimes and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire; demonstrate the degree to which various ecological restoration techniques achieve ecological and watershed health objectives; and, encourage utilization of forest restoration by-products to offset treatment costs, to benefit local rural economies, to and improve forest health. |
State | CO-OP: Colorado Outdoor Partnership (Includes Colorado’s Outdoor
Principles) | 2020 | Using Colorado’s Outdoor Principles, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership works towards this vision: in 2050, Colorado’s people and economy thrive because of our healthy lands, water, wildlife, and working farms and ranches, accompanied by improved, inclusive outdoor recreation, hunting, and angling opportunities for all. COP acknowledges that outdoor recreation and conservation should reflect, respect and value the demographic and cultural diversity of our state. |
State | CPW Big Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors Status Report | 2020 | Baseline Data and Data Needs for Big Game Populations Statewide, Recommendations for Conserving Big Game Populations Statewide |
State | CPW State Park Management Plans | various | Manage Visitor Use; Steward Natural, Cultural, Scenic, and Recreation; Resources; Maintain Facilities; Provide Interpretation and Environmental Education; Promote Respectful Staff and Volunteer Atmosphere |
State | CPW State Wildlife Action Plan | 2025 | The State Wildlife Action Plan’s (SWAP) purpose is to outline and prioritize each of Colorado’s conservation needs. Conserve Colorado's Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Manage for Healthy Habitats and Ecosystems, Coordinate Conservation Efforts with Partners |
State | CPW Strategic Plan | 2015 (to be updated in 2025-2026) | Conserve Wildlife and Habitat, Manage State Parks for World Class Outdoor Recreation, Connect People to Colorado's Outdoors |
State | CTO Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan | 2024 | Provide Destination Stewardship Leadership and Support to Engage Visitors in Destination Stewardship, Shared Stewardship of Tourism Resources including Trails, Outdoor Recreation, Wildlife and Biodiversity, and Climate |
Federal | Central Grasslands Roadmap 2022 | 2022 | Collaborative Conservation of North America's Central Grasslands Community |
Local | City of Durango Parks Open Space Trails Master Plan | 2020 | This Plan is a meant to be a living document and will provide the Department a roadmap for addressing community needs for the next five to ten years. It details the current state of
the system while identifying focus areas based on a comprehensive assessment of community values and priorities. |
State | Colorado Climate Plan (DNR, CDPHE, CEO, CDOT, CDA, OEDIT, DOLA) | 2015 | Promote policy and actions to improve Colorado's ability to adapt to climate change |
State | Colorado Climate Preparedness Roadmap & Impact Assessment | 2023 | Coordination, Collaboration, and De-Siloing, Education and Technical Assistance, Research, Assessment, and Program Integration, Community-Centered Approaches |
State | Colorado Drought Mitigation and Response Plan | 2018 | Drought Monitoring, Impact Assessments, Emergency Response, and Mitigation |
State | Colorado Forest Action Plan | 2020 | Forest Conditions, Living with Wildfire, Watershed Protection, Forest Wild life, Urban and Community Forestry, Forest Products |
State | Colorado Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0 (CEO) | 2024 | Agriculture, Natural and Working/Agricultural Lands, Climate Mitigation |
State | Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan (Colorado Department of Public Safety) | 2023 | Coordinated Disaster Response and Risk Reduction with Public, Private, and Non-Profit Partners |
State | Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) | OREC provides a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the continued health of the outdoor recreation economy. | |
State | Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPIs) | 2020 | The RPI coalesces a network of local conservation and recreation efforts, known as Regional Partnerships, across Colorado to learn from and elevate community-level perspectives, values, and priorities, which subsequently inform work across the state. |
State | Colorado Resiliency Framework (CO Resiliency Office) | 2020 | Climate and Natural Hazard Resiliency, Agriculture. Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) |
State | Colorado Statewide Forest Resource Assessment | 2008 | Conserve Working Forest Lands, Protect Forests from Harm, Enhance Public Benefits from Trees and Forests |
State | Colorado Water Plan (CWCB) | 2023 | Vibrant Communities, Thriving Watersheds, Robust Agriculture, Resilient Planning |
State | Colorado's Strategic Plan for Climate-Smart Natural and Working Lands
(DNR, CDA, CSFS, CNHP, CWCB) | 2023 | Agricultural Lands, Grasslands and Shrublands, Forests, Urban Green Space, Wetlands and Riparian Areas |
Local | Compass Master Plan (Silverton) | 2022 | The Plan will promote the community’s values, goals, and objectives; establish a process for responsible growth and development, address both current and future needs; and provide a balance between the natural and built environment. |
State | Conserving Colorado: A 10-Year Roadmap for the Future of Private Land
Conservation (Keep It Colorado) | 2023 | Climate-Resilient Landscapes, Community-Centered Conservation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Collaborative Water Solutions, Resilient Agriculture, Lasting Conservation Movement. Keep It Colorado. |
Local | Durango Northwest Recreation Project (out of J-Firm) | 2024 | Long-term recreation plans will be developed to “strike a balance between conserving the values the community rallied to protect while providing sustainably designed recreation experiences and promoting an ethic of respect.” (Nick Glidden) Project might be cancelled. |
State | Executive Order for RPIs | 2020 | Outdoor recreation and conservation of natural resources |
Local | Florida River Restoration Project (Mountain Studies Institute) | 2010 | The Project aims to implement at a local level the goals and objectives of the Colorado NPS Management Plan (2005). The plan identifies reduction of sediment, N and P loading to CO waters as a joint priority with EPA. |
Regional | Four Rivers Resilient Forest Collaborative | 2019 | Mission: Advance community action to improve and maintain resilient landscapes. We envision a future where our communities lead stewardship actions that promote resilient watersheds and forests on all lands within our scope, strengthening the ecological, economic, and sociocultural character of the region. |
State | Great Outdoors Colorado Strategic Plan (GOCO) | 2025 | Land Conservation, Stewardship, Community Impact, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Planning and Capacity |
State | Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Plan - CPW | 2025 | Habitat Conservation, Habitat Connectivity |
State | Healthy Rivers Assessment Colorado (The Nature Conservancy) | 2017 | The Healthy Rivers Assessment is designed to serve as a resource and guidance document that offers critical baseline data for maintaining, protecting, and restoring rivers and streams throughout Colorado and informs project design and prioritization. |
Local | Junction-Falls Integrated Resource Management (J-FIRM) Project | 2022 | Part of RMRI CO. The purpose of the project is to improve the four core values
of the RMRI across the project landscape (Communities, Clean Water, Forest and Wildlfie, Recreation.)The J-FIRM project covers about 7100 acres in three contiguous geographic areas north of Durango:
• Junction Creek Road/Logchutes Uplands,
• Colorado Trail/Junction Creek Riparian Corridor, and
• Falls Creek/Hidden Valley
The Responsible Official is planning to implement the proposed action, which proposes the following activities: broadcast prescribed fire and pile burning, hand and brush thinning, mastication, water development rehabilitation, road upgrades, streambank rehabilitation, oak thinning and big game habitat improvement, wetland maintenance, and habitat reclamation.
Also https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=62825 |
Local | La Plata County Community Wildfire Protection Plan | 2023 | Led by WAP and LPC/WWPF this document involved stakeholders around the county, ambassadors, the county Wildfire Advisory Board and Meta |
Local | La Plata County Conservation District | 1947 | |
Regional | Mountains and Mesas (Colorado Tourism Office Regonial Stewardship Plan) | 2025 | Regional plan from the CO Tourism Office statewide strategic plan, |
State | Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry (OREC) Strategic Plan | forthcoming | Economic Development, Conservation and Stewardship, Public Health and Wellness |
State | Planning Trails with Wildlife in Mind - CPW | 2021 | Collaborative Approaches to Meet Conservation and Recreation Goals |
State | RMRI: Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative | 2019 | increasing the resilience of our forests, habitat, communities, recreation opportunities, and water resources across all lands in the Rocky Mountains; transformational changes in the health and resiliency of the ecosystem; Restore forests and habitat, protect communities, support recreation and tourism, and ensure clean and secure water. Video: Healthy wildlife and forests; clean water; fire-adapted communities; accessible recreation |
Federal | Region 2 National Forest Plans (San Juan National Forest) | various | Forest Management, Protection, and Use |
Federal | Reimagine Recreation Strategic Action Plan (USFS) | expected 2025 | Collaborative Planning, Sustainable Recreation |
State | SCORP – Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CPW) | 2024 | shared vision and commitment of Colorado outdoor partners to advance recreation enjoyment and conservation of Colorado’s outdoor resources. Equitable Access to Outdoor Recreation, Stewardship, Conservation of Public and Private Lands, Funding to Support Outdoor Recreation and Conservation |
Regional | San Juan Resource Conservation and Department Council | 1972 | The San Juan RC&D Council serves eight counties in southwest Colorado. Established in 1972 to help all the residents of Southwest Colorado to use, protect and improve natural, cultural, historic, and economic resources. San Juan RC&D continues to actively work toward our vision of promoting sustainable communities and improving the quality of life through economic development and the conservation of natural resources. |
Regional | San Juan Watershed Group (SJWG) | 2001 | The mission of San Juan Soil & Water Conservation District is to protect, restore, enhance, and promote the wise use of natural resources, promote stewardship through education, and provide financial and administrative assistance to the citizens and groups in the district. |
Regional | Southwest Colorado Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative | 2020 | USFS; Focus Area for CFLRP treatments |
State Land Board Stewardship Action Plans | Various | Responsible Stewardship of Important Target Plant and Animal Species | |
State | State of Colorado's Biodiversity (Colorado Natural Heritage Program) | 1979 | One of CNHP's core research activities is managing a statewide database that details the locations of rare and imperiled species and natural plant communities in Colorado. |
State | Statewide Trails Strategic Plan - CPW | 2016 | Provide Statewide Leadership for Trail Recreation, Facilitate Trail Development and Management Statewide, Emphasize Responsible Stewardship of Trail Development and Use |
State | Strategic Plan for Climate-Smart Natural and Working Lands (CPW, CO Dept Ag) | 2023 | Might be old - the Colorado Climate Plan (DNR, CDPHE, CEO, CDOT, CDA, OEDIT, DOLA) could be current. Miaght be different plan! Colorado Department of Agriculture |
State | Task Force Related to the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities- Outdoors Subcommittee (CO Department of Regulatory Agencies) | Expected 2024 | Recommendations to Address Barriers to Basic Access To and the Enjoyment of the Colorado Outdoors for Persons with Disabilities |
Federal | USFWS Recovery Plans | various | Management for the Recovery of Species Listed as Endangered |
Regional | Wildfire and Watershed Protection Fund | 2021 | Intergovernmental agreement between City of Durango, La Plata County and Durango Fire Protection District |
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