VISION ACTION TEAM: Our forests, waters and wildlife are healthy and in balance with outdoor recreation.
The team will create community solutions, programs and plans so that in 2030 and beyond, Chaffee County will have healthy forests, waters and wildlife maintained in balance with outdoor recreation.
More than 1,200 Chaffee County citizens surveyed indicated that the thing they love most is the county’s forested landscapes, clean waters, wildlife and amazing outdoor recreation. Unfortunately, these resources received some of the lowest grades in the Community Vision Report Card. Forest health is declining — an area of timber four times the size of Browns Canyon National Monument died and then browned in the past two years due to beetle infestations — and wildlife populations are declining. Outdoor recreational use is rapidly increasing. This activity by visitors drives part of the local economy and is a boon to local businesses. However, the community is doing little to care for the recreational assets and to make our great outdoor experiences sustainable. Collaborative and creative solutions between the community and government agencies are needed so that we can continue to say, “Chaffee County — Now THIS is Colorado!”
