A volunteer group promoting quality of life, and the
environment of the Lower Blue River Valley.
The Friends of the Lower Blue River are dedicated to sustaining and protecting the traditional agricultural character, promoting the safety of the residents, livestock and wildlife, and maintaining the environmental integrity of the Lower Blue River Valley through education, collaboration and community involvement.
To sustain and protect the traditional agricultural character, promote the safety of the residents, livestock and wildlife, and maintain the environmental integrity of the Lower Blue River Valley through education, collaboration and community involvement.
Friends of the Lower Blue River is committed to preserving the rich history of the Blue River Valley. Through grant support from the Summit Foundation, we have created this interactive tool that documents and takes you to key points of interest in the Valley. You will see photographs and read about those who came before us. Those who settled this pristine area of Summit and Grand Counties in the 1800’s and the relevance those sites have today. FOLBR invites you to take this journey on our website and discover the treasure, that truly is the Lower Blue River Valley.
Click Here to see History Story MapTo manage and protect the biological integrity of the Lower Blue River, Friends of the Lower Blue River is proposing a 10-year pilot permit system to regulate and allocate float angling trips on the River. The plan is designed by locals, for locals, shaped by a community-based research framework, and best practices in watershed sciences.
Friends of the Lower Blue River (FOLBR) recognizes there has been significant public conversation surrounding the Lower Blue River Management Plan and the possibility of a future permit system. We welcome that dialogue — because everyone who loves this river shares a common goal: keeping it healthy, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about the Lower Blue River Management Plan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is FOLBR’s role?
Friends of the Lower Blue River is serving as a facilitator in this process, fostering open dialogue among community members in alignment with its mission. The organization is not a decision-making body. The proposed pilot permit system is intended to provide an opportunity for feedback and evaluation, allowing the community to determine what approaches are most effective and what adjustments may be needed before any long-term decisions are made.
Why consider a permit system?
Recreational use on the Lower Blue River has increased significantly over the past decade, especially on peak days. With that growth come challenges — erosion, litter, user conflicts, habitat strain, and pressure on private land crossings. When too many boats are on the water at once, it can also weaken fish populations and the river’s long-term health.
Similar to other Colorado rivers that have implemented thoughtful management systems, Friends of the Lower Blue River (FOLBR) is exploring a community-informed pilot permit approach to help protect both the river and the experience it provides. The goal isn’t to limit access — it’s to keep the river healthy and enjoyable for everyone, now and into the future.
At this stage, no decisions have been made. FOLBR is gathering community input and reviewing research to better understand what type of management, if any, would best serve the Lower Blue. We invite residents, recreation users, and partners to share their perspectives as we work together to preserve this shared resource.
What do we know about current river use?
Friends of the Lower Blue River (FOLBR) requested data from Blue Valley Ranch on annual river use to help inform ongoing discussions around river management and access. That information is now publicly available on our website, within the “Lower Blue River Management Plan” page under the “Relevant Documents.”
https://www.folbr.org/management-plan
What Are the Next Steps for the Stakeholder Group?
The stakeholder group includes representatives from Summit County, the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Blue Valley Ranch, and community organizations such as Friends of the Lower Blue River (FOLBR). Together, we’re reviewing data, visitor patterns, ecological conditions, and community feedback to help guide the possibility of a pilot management phase in the coming years.
Transparency and inclusion remain central to this effort. All related materials — including the 2008 Management Plan, recreational use data, and fishery analyses — are available to the public on the FOLBR website.
Why are there security cameras?
The security systems on private ranch lands are in place to support public safety, protect property boundaries, monitor wildlife, and prevent trespassing — all concerns that have grown alongside increased recreational use. They are managed in accordance with privacy standards and are intended to balance public access with responsible land stewardship.
The Summit County Outdoor Coalition (SCOC) is part of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Regional Partnership Initiative funded by CPW and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). BRWG in partnership with FOLBR and Summit County Sustainability, seek to address a range of access and environmental issues facing our community as we strive to balance the health of our natural resources with outdoor recreation through this coalition.
SCOC has completed its Charter and Organizational Guidelines and is preparing to conduct a Community Needs Assesment of partners in our community to determine the best path forward for research and outreach. Together with local organizations and alongside other coalitions, the Summit County Outdoor Coalition joins a statewide initiative working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing for equitable and quality outdoor recreation experiences.
The first humans in the Lower Blue River Valley were the Ute Indians. They were residents for over 10,000 years, all the while endeavoring to live in harmony with nature and with each other.
In the 1880’s, settlers and miners encroached on the Ute territories, including the Lower Blue River Valley. This led to conflicts between the Utes and the intruders on their ancestral homeland. Their long-standing tenure finally came to an end in 1881. The Ute Indians were forced, by decree, onto smaller reservations in Colorado and larger ones in Utah. The move was enforced by a federal government pressured by agricultural, mining and commercial interests.
Although the Federal Homestead Act was passed in May of 1862, the first homesteads for the valley were not granted until 1882. Realizing the potential for ranching and farming, settlers from Illinois, Kansas and Arkansas, sought the 160 acres provided by the Act. Miners also wanted out of the mines seeking the land of opportunity in the Lower Blue.
The Blue River below Green Mountain Reservoir is truly a special place. The nearest town on the map is Heeney. The proximity to Silverthorne makes it a worthwhile place to explore without having to travel far to have some aquatic fun. While the majority of the Lower Blue River is surrounded by private property, the 3.8-mile canyon section below the Green Mountain Reservoir dam to Spring Creek Road is a wonderful place for the public to access. It is challenging to navigate from the parking area below the dam due to the steep hill, especially during winter. Most canyon enthusiasts make the effort to either look around at the beauty or go fishing.
When the water flows increase to 500 cfs and above, that is when people like to float down the river to either the Spring Creek Road access or continue to the confluence of the Colorado River near the Gore Canyon Access area. The length of the float from Spring Creek Road to the confluence of the Colorado River is 10 river miles. Remember, the Spring Creek Road Access is a take-out only section, specifically for kayakers. It is not a take-out for rafts and is not a put-in for boats of any kind. Rafters who launch below the dam are committed to the 13.8 river mile float to the confluence of the Colorado.
Governor Jared Polis has released the second version of the state's climate action plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in half by 2030, and make progress toward net-zero GHG pollution in Colorado by 2050. First released in 2021, the original Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap (‘Roadmap’) laid out a set of near-term commitments to reduce emissions across economic sectors. Having completed more than 95% of the near-term actions from the original Roadmap, "Roadmap 2.0" updates Colorado’s emissions forecast and lays out a new set of bold actions to save Coloradans money and continue making progress toward a clean energy future.
According to Governor Polis, “Colorado has been a national model in bold climate action that improves air quality and protects our precious resources and open spaces. This updated, comprehensive Roadmap continues pushing our state forward in ways that will save Coloradans money, protect our air and water, and ensure a more sustainable future for Colorado.”
