The Rampart Range Wildlands Project aims to protect and conserve the parts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest east of Rampart Range and Dakan/Bergen Roads, and north of Balanced Rock Road. We will be working through the agency process to designate this area for wildlife and non--motorized recreation. Examples of possible designation include:
After listening to various stakeholders, in particular concerns about wildfire in the urban interface, the CMC has decided not to try to have any part of the Rampart Range designated as “Wilderness.” Our use of the term “wildlands” is meant to indicate that while parts of this area are very “wild,” the high level of restriction on activity in a designated wilderness would not be appropriate in this location.
During the period June 20-22, 2014, the Colorado Mountain Club sponsored a Bioblitz in the Rampart East Roadless Area and adjoining roadless lands. The Pike National Forest also cooperated and participated. This 35,000 acre area is bounded by Dakan Road and Rampart Range Road in the north and west, and Balanced Rock Road in the south and the Forest boundary in the east, Figure 1. This project area is roadless and considered to have some of the best remaining relatively unfragmented wildlife habitat along the Colorado Front Range. Elevation in the project area ranges from approximately 7,500- 9,200 feet. The principal plant communities are lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine associations. There are a few cherry-stemmed roads into the area which are excluded from the project area. See more...
Bioblitz Data
The Rampart Range Wildlands Project is an initiative of the Colorado Mountain Club's Denver and Pikes Peak Groups. We are working with many stakeholders in hopes of developing a common understanding of how best to maintain this special area for its wild, recreational, watershed, and habitat values.
By securing an increased level of protection, this special area will remain an island of non-motorized recreation with opportunities to find solitude for generations to come. This unique mid-elevation mountain range (located just 40 miles south of Denver and 20 miles northwest of Colorado Springs) offers a rare opportunity to protect one of the last remaining remote places along the Front Range.
Working through the agency’s planning process, we hope to more firmly establish this beautiful area for non-motorized recreation. This would also simplify management of the area, allowing Rampart Range Road to serve as a boundary between areas of motorized and non-motorized use. A higher level of protection would also reduce user conflicts regarding the future of the area.
To learn more please contact the project's co-chairs Phil Kummer or Tom Mowle