09/04/2025
Stay the trail! Thank you Sun Sports Unlimited for taking the time to write this out. We are always happy to answer any and all questions about trail etiquette and how to be safe and smart out there!
Trail Etiquette and It’s importance
After being on the trail this past weekend, we feel that there are a few things we would like to emphasize as far as proper trail etiquette. Labor Day weekend is always a super busy weekend and we were deeply disappointed to see a few things happening out on the trails.
First, did you know that there is a helmet law in Colorado? Children under the age of 18 must either be restrained in a child safety seat or be wearing a helmet when riding as a passenger or operating any OHV. We were dismayed to not only see many children without the proper helmets, but also witnessed a parent driving on a busy county road with an infant on their lap. This puts not just the child at risk, but also everyone else around them. If there is an issue, the parent will likely try to protect the child and risk causing an accident with another vehicle.
Second, were you aware that you can receive a DUI if you are drinking while you are riding? We witnessed a large group drinking whiskey while riding as well as many drinking beer while riding. We aren’t saying you shouldn’t be able to enjoy yourself, but please save your drinking for after you are done riding. Alcohol impairs your ability to react quickly in any given situation and that may put you and other riders in danger.
Third, in Colorado we practice good land stewardship. This means staying the trail and leaving no trace. You don’t need to ride off the trail and risk destroying fragile mountain tundra. It also means that if you are out and need to use the restroom, you need to pack out your toilet paper as well. Bring along a plastic baggie – no one wants to see all of your toilet paper littering our beautiful state.
Fourth, our trails and everyone who uses them deserve respect. It only takes one bad apple to give an entire group a bad reputation. Every trail in Colorado is used by multiple groups. Respect goes a long way on the trail. Have a little patience when you come up on someone – give them a chance to pull over and don’t be aggressive behind them. If you feel the need to rip it up and do doughnuts while you are riding, go to the desert. Those behaviors don’t belong on our high country trails. All of these things don’t just apply to motorized users. We came across mountain bikers who were riding double and waving us around on blind corners. They also stopped to heckle the dirtbikers in our group. Respect goes all ways. We don’t want to injure the mountain bikers or anyone else and would ask that they respect our motorized users as we respect them.
Fifth, gates in Colorado are to be left the way you find them. If they are open when you go through, leave them open. If they are closed, open them to go through and close them behind you. It’s also common courtesy to hold the gate for another user if they are close by and getting ready to go through the gate.
We want everyone to have an enjoyable time when they are out riding and by following these tips we can ALL have a great time!
