Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay local!
The health of our trail users, volunteers, community, and our board members is utmost in our thoughts and hearts.
During this crisis, FOMP will be operating in this mode:
- All FOMP social gatherings have been postponed.
- All FOMP group trail building workdays have been postponed.
- All FOMP meetings and correspondence will be done online/electronically.
At this time, the trails in the Monument Fire Center are open for use, and FOMP recognizes how vital the role of outdoor activities and exercise is for our physical and mental wellness. We will partner and cooperate with our USFS land manager in every way possible to ensure that access to trails is maintained (see the bottom of the page for the latest USFS news release).
We offer the following suggestions when recreating:
- If you are exhibiting symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is symptomatic, please self-quarantine, and don’t risk exposing other trail users.
- Avoid crowded trails and trailheads, and if possible, ride/hike/run to the trailhead if you can, or go out during non-peak times.
- Work with other trail users to maintain the 6-foot distance rule. This may require adjustment to your standard routine. Just wait for safe opportunities to pass if needed.
- Recreate conservatively, since we don’t want to overload the health care system with an emergency.
- Recreate locally. Under the current state-wide mandated shutdown, we are not permitted to travel to other locations for recreation.
- No social gatherings and group rides/hikes/runs.
With the current economic turmoil, please support any local business if at all possible, reach out to help your neighbors (from a distance), and help those in need through local charitable groups.
A big thanks to our board members, volunteers, and supporters!
FOMP
This is the current new release per the local USFS:
Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands to indefinitely close some recreational facilities
PUEBLO, Colorado (March 27, 2020) – District Rangers on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands will, today, begin the orderly closure of developed recreation sites and some services in their districts to protect public health and safety and align with state and local measures already in place to contain the COVID019 outbreak.
Forest Service lands on the PSICC are open for day use activities, such as forest trails accessed at federally managed trail heads, to provide opportunity for the public to participate in necessary activities defined by the Colorado Governor’s Executive Order to Stay at Home dated March 25, 2020. Updates to the availability of other recreation sites in the area are always available on our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/psicc/recreation.
“Personal responsibility is important now more than ever. Safe and responsible use of national forests and grasslands will reduce impacts to local communities who may be at risk from the virus,” said Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Forest Supervisor Diana Trujillo.
People who made reservations for any of the affected facilities through Rec.gov will be notified via email and/or cell phone text messages if there are any changes affecting their reservation. Reservation holders who are affected during the closure may receive a full refund for the reservation.
As the nation works through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number one priority. We are committed to continuing to support our communities and fulfill our mission as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19. If you choose to recreate on the national forest, please follow CDC/state guidelines and limit group size to less than 10 people and practice recommended social distancing techniques to minimize your exposure.
Assistance in a backcountry emergency could result in response times that are significantly delayed and some resources, such as air ambulances, and others may be unavailable.
The PSICC will continue to coordinate its COVID-19 response in alignment with all federal, state and local guidance. Everyone is urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most recent CDC guidelines are available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html. Additional information is available at https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus.