Berthoud Falls – Former U.S. Forest Service chiefs celebrated Wednesday a future “world- class” trailhead that represents a new spirit of collaboration for public lands and a reflection of the agency’s growing emphasis on recreation.
Standing in a muddy parking lot on Berthoud Pass, the four living former forest chiefs – Max Peterson, Dale Robertson, Jack Ward Thomas and Mike Dombeck – proclaimed the midway access point to the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail an unrivaled success before a single shovel of dirt has been turned.
“During my tenure, there was a major change in policy and philosophy … with a focus on partnership. You saw today where it has come to full blossom,” said Robertson, the chief from 1987 to 1993.
Sponsored by a consortium including the Forest Service and Colorado State Parks and supported by local governments and recreation groups, the trailhead was made possible by a $1.2 million grant from Great Outdoors Colorado in 2004 and, when complete next year, will feature a small warming hut to replace a demolished ski lodge, interpretive signs and restrooms.
“This is essentially what we’ve been talking about for the last 30 years, the values of partnerships,” said Lyle Laverty, director of Colorado State Parks and a former regional Forest Service director.
Appointed by presidents of both parties, the chiefs – who, as elder statesmen still maintain philosophical influences over the agency – were uniformly laudatory of the effort.
Dombeck, Forest Service chief from 1997 to 2001, said the focus on trails also indicates a significant shift in the agency’s direction from the old-school timber- harvest days to today’s growing public value of recreation.
“The bottom line is it’s the reality. You don’t legislate public opinion, and it’s occurring already,” he said.
Jim Bedwell, supervisor for the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest who is slated in two weeks to become the agency’s director for recreation, said the Berthoud Pass site is a particularly good example of accommodating competing demands on public lands.
Only an hour’s drive from the metro area, it is a popular spot for hikers, sightseers and backcountry skiers.
Agency officials, perennially strapped by other federal budget priorities, have long discussed partnerships with outside organizations but have struggled to put them in place.
But it was through that cooperation that the recreation groups landed the GOCO grant, which additionally will help fund the construction of 72 miles of the north-south national trail that is on par with the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Coast Trail but is only two-thirds completed.
Staff writer Steve Lipsher can be reached at 970-513-9495 or slipsher@denverpost.com.
