Commentary: Rail Trail in Colorado

Originally appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily

By Rod Shepherd March 19, 2024

Whenever I travel, I like to explore the cycling environments in communities I visit. On a recent trip to Colorado, I took a day off from the ski slopes to explore the rail trails in the Frisco, Colorado, community.

Many of the trails in this region are on old railroad right of ways dating back to the silver mining days. Frisco's trails connect to Breckenridge and to Vail.

I met with Frisco’s town manager Bill Fisher. He reports that their trail is popular with residents and guests and is used year round. The trails have been in existence for 20-plus years now. Weekends are popular. Of course Colorado is famous for lots of winter snow. So in winter the bike trails readily convert to cross country ski trails.

Sorting out the specific economic impact of the bike trail from skiing in this resort community is difficult, but he reports the trail is packed and popular in warmer seasons and does bring in tourists specifically for cycling. Most importantly, he reports no criminal activity. “Just doesn’t happen,” he said.

I walked about five miles of the Frisco Pathway. I interviewed three residents who lived within sight of the trail. All three loved it. "Sometimes we hear loud voices," one said, "but those voices soon move on down the trail." No crime, no trash and no trespassing issues were reported by the residents. Some sections of the trail are "adopted" by families or businesses who watch over their sections to do trash pick up and simple maintenance.

Meanwhile, some businesses offer employees "Walk to Work" credits as a bonus for when they commute via the trail instead of driving. They get points that build up for such things as a coffee gift cards, etc.

One unusual bonus out west is that the trail allows fire equipment access to remote areas when wildfires break out.

Interestingly, the Excel Gas Company has a natural gas pipeline that shares the trail’s right of way with underground pipelines connecting several communities with gas service. A shared use of this real estate is clearly a win for both energy and recreation.

I've visited and studied several rail to trails in different parts of the country. All have proven to be a boost to their economies, bring in tourists, and are enjoyed by residents. Our proposed Shenandoah Rail Trail here will have a similar positive economic benefits.

Rod Shepherd is a member of the Mount Jackson Town Council.