Working Together to Protect Access, Health, and the Future of the Lower Blue River

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.

Hannah Ohlson of Summit Fire & EMS on wildfire mitigation and prevention

  Kurt Dallow and Tom Koehler at KSS Community Days

In July, Friends of the Lower Blue River partnered with the Keystone Science School to talk about water, wildlife and the climate at KSS's Community Days. FOLBR Board Member Kurt Dallow and FOLBR's Director of Climate Action, Tom Koehler spent the day with about 150 youngsters. Overall, the kids were enthused to hear about the importance of water in Colorado, our river system, the impact of beavers and they even enjoyed a scavenger hunt. Thanks to Keystone Science School and we look forward to partnering more with KSS in the future.

FOLBR Members st Historic Slate Creek Hall

RSVP for Free Tickets on the Eventbrtite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-friends-of-the-lower-blue-river-annual-gathering-tickets-934146345867?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Friends of the Lower Blue River
Annual Gathering
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Historic Slate Creek Hall
11:00am to 2:00pm
Celebrating the Lower Blue River Valley Community
Hear the history and stories from multi-generational ranches
Adam Poe-Pebble Creek Ranch
Peter Roseberry-Brush Creek Ranch
We'll update you on the BLM/Blue Valley Ranch Land Swap

Admission is free
Buffet Lunch from Brother's BBQ
Music from Randall McKinnon
Come meet your neighbors and celebrate the
Lower Blue River Valley

Four area environmental non-profits come together to present a series of programs over the next four months. The first event is June 19th hosted by HC3 at Mi Casa in Breckenridge. All the events are from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Come join the conversation about our environment and our most important resource.  Mark your calendars for each event, especially FOLBR's on September 18th at the Thisrsty Pika in Silverthorne.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help clean up Highway 9 between mile markers 111 and 113. Even though it is a relatively small stretch of the highway, it makes a difference. Just look at how much trash we collected.

We especially want to thank Lynn Amstutz for her leadership over the years organizing this event. She is passing the baton to Susan Knopf, who will coordinate the Clean Up in the years ahead.

Wolverines are going to be reintroduced into the Colorado environment. Planning is underway to achieve that goal. What's involved? What does it mean for you? What is the timeline for reintroduction? Join Friends of the Lower Blue River for an evening conversation with Dan Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Get the answers to these questions and more from the source.

The event will be at the Silverthorne Pavilion on Tuesday, June 4th from 6:00 to 8:00pm. A cash bar for beer and wine will be available. Admission is free, but donations to Friends of the Lower Blue River are always welcome and accepted.

CDOT is reportedly planning more roadwork on Highway 9 this summer north of mile marker 113. Depending on the condition of the highway, the annual FOLBR Highway 9 Clean Up is set for Saturday, June 1st.

This will be Lynn Amstutz's last year leading the highway clean up. So we are looking for a new project leader for this annual event. Everyone is meeting at 9:00am at the corner of Highway 9 and Ute Park Road. (Not Ute Pass Road). Be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots. Also bring work gloves, a hat and sunscreen.

The clean up area will be between mile markers 111 and 113. Donuts and orange juice will be provided. The project should be completed by 11:00am. If you are interested in participating, please contact Lynn Amstutz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If weather is bad, Sunday June 2nd is a back-up date. We will keep you posted about CDOT as we get closer to the date.

The annual Breckenridge Fly Fishing Film Tour is on March 22 at the Riverwalk Center offering a traveling roadshow of the best fly fishing films in the world. This is the 18th Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), offering a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead. The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind.

While the event is a collection of great cinematography, the BreckF3T aims to create community and kick-off the 2024 fly angling season right by supporting disabled veterans, high school stream ecology education and local conservation efforts.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children and students 3-17 years old. For tickets, click the link below. Doors open at 5:30pm with live music from KelLee Abdella, food, drink, and mapping out the Raffle Corral for when your winning ticket gets drawn. Films start at 7pm.

https://tickets.breckcreate.org/Online/seatSelect.asp?createBO

Emily Gutierrez--Sky Hi News

During the winter months big game wildlife head to their winter ranges as they try to find vegetation and grazing areas not buried by snow. Seasonal closures are often instituted to help protect these animals as they forage for food beneath the snow.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with outdoor recreation organizations to help protect wildlife when they’re most susceptible. Animals like elk and deer are most vulnerable to human disturbances in the winter season when they come down from high elevations to low lying valleys.

Winter Wildlands Alliance and Colorado Mountain Club will be working with Parks and Wildlife to share new educational resources with Coloradans to help winter recreationists understand and lessen impacts on the state’s wildlife.

On February 26, FOLBR held ..."Colorado Water 101"... As an introductory water education event to local and state water information. Convened at The PAD in Silverthorne, the event covered water development history, water rights basics, water administration, and duties and responsibilities of water commissioners.

Speakers included: Patty Rettig, Head Archivist, Water Resources Archives, CSU Morgan Library; Caleb Foy, Assistant Division Engineer, CDWR Water Division 5; Troy Wineland, CDWR Water Commissioner, Water District 36; Scott Hummer, former Water Commissioner and FOLBR Board Member. Their information focused on both the Blue River and the Colorado River.

The audience of about 50 people had mixed interests, as evidenced through their questions during the presentations. Participants left the event with an improved understanding of Colorado's most precious natural resource, our water.

Friends of the Lower Blue River continues our event series exploring important topics that affect us all. Join us for an evening of conversation and presentations regarding Colorado's most precious natural resource.

Representatives from the Colorado Division of Water Resources, FOLBR, and the Water Archives at the CSU Morgan Library will be on hand to answer all your water related questions!

When: Monday, February 26, 2024 beginning at 6:30pm
Where: The Pad...491 Rainbow Dr....Silverthorne, CO

A new map on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) website allows people in Colorado to know where wolves have been throughout the state in the past month.

The map will be updated with new information released on the fourth Wednesday of every month. These maps collect information on the wolves from GPS collars worn by all 12 collared animals in Colorado.