When the Government Shuts Down, Our Public Lands Feel It
When the federal government shuts down, the effects reach far beyond Washington DC. They ripple right into our trails, public lands, and our community. This is not about politics. It is about people, places, and the public lands we all share. Trails do not have a party. Public lands belong to everyone, and when the system pauses, we all feel it.
Across Colorado, the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service are running on limited operations. Many employees are furloughed, while a few continue working without pay to cover critical safety and emergency needs. These folks are not distant bureaucrats. They are our neighbors, friends, and incredible community members who care deeply about this community and the landscapes we love.
The Impacts We Are Already Seeing
Here in Eagle County, the impacts are already happening. Our Trail Ambassadors are still out in the field and noticed that the restroom at Shrine Pass, which is normally cleaned every Friday, was not serviced this past week. It may seem like a small detail, but it is a clear example of how shutdowns quietly disrupt the regular maintenance that keeps our public lands clean, safe, and welcoming.
The Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Station in Minturn is also closed, leaving fewer local resources for trail users, landowners, and visitors who rely on that team for information and guidance.
Our Trail Conservation Crew felt it directly last week. They were working on replacing the bridge on the Half Nelson Trail (pictured below) in Minturn alongside our local Forest Service trail crew leader. On Monday and Tuesday, the Forest Service lead was on site providing experience, tools, and support. But by Wednesday, because of the shutdown, our crew had to return and finish the project on their own without that partnership. The bridge still got finished, but it reminded all of us how deeply we depend on collaboration with our federal partners to get good work done.
We are also navigating a trail planning process with the BLM in Eagle, working toward approval for new trail implementation in 2026. That planning is now paused because of the shutdown. The delay risks pushing back the NEPA process and next year’s hopeful approvals, which could set back long-term trail projects our community has been working toward for years.
And it is not just projects being delayed. People are directly impacted. This year, VVMTA hired three OHV Crew members to support the Forest Service with motorized trail maintenance and management. They are VVMTA employees, not federal employees, which means they are not furloughed and will not receive any back pay for lost work. Right now, there is a minimal amount of funding remaining to keep them working, but that will run out very soon. When it does, they will not be furloughed, they will simply be out of work. These are locals. They live here, recreate here, and contribute to our community. Without resolution, they will miss paychecks through no fault of their own.
When shutdowns happen, trail projects stall, maintenance backlogs pile up, and stewardship work gets delayed. These pauses do not just inconvenience hikers or bikers. They have real impacts on ecosystems, recreation access, and local economies.
But more than anything, shutdowns affect people. The folks in green and khaki are not just public servants. They are passionate, hardworking, and deeply committed to this valley. They live here, raise families here, and care about these lands as much as we do. They are incredible human beings who deserve our gratitude and support, especially right now.
Until operations return to normal, we can all do our part:
- Be self sufficient: Pack it in, pack it out. Bring extra supplies and plan ahead.
- Show respect: Treat trails, facilities, and wildlife with extra care.
- Support local stewardship: Volunteer, donate, or thank the local crews keeping things going.
- Be patient and kind: Remember that our Forest Service and BLM partners want to be back at work as much as we want them there.
When the government shuts down, our trails, forests, and public lands do not stop being important. They just need us a little more. Let’s keep taking care of them, and of each other, until our friends and partners in the Forest Service and BLM are back on the job doing what they love: protecting the lands we all share.
