Rangely: The Tire Sports Getaway 

of Colorado Recreation Opportunities and Recommendations 

December 2018 

  

 

   

 

 

 

 

Authors Audrey Calhoun audrey.calhoun@colorado.edu  

Carolyn Chandler carolyn.chandler@colorado.edu  

Margo Fragola margo.fragola@colorado.edu  

Isabelle Petersen isabelle.petersen@colorado.edu  

Shantelle Reamer shantelle.reamer@colorado.edu  

Ian Stafford ian.stafford@colorado.edu  

Tanner Starbard tanner.starbard@colorado.edu   

 

   

Acknowledgements  

Special thanks to Dr. Joel Hartter, Director of the Masters of the Environment Program and                             

professor at the University of Colorado Boulder; Katelin Cook, the Economic Development                       

Coordinator of Rio Blanco County; Makala Barton, the Economic Development Specialist of Rio                         

Blanco County; Jocelyn Mullen, Town of Rangely Engineer; Jeff Rector, Rio Blanco County                         

Commissioner; Brian Lewandowski, Associate Director of the Business Research Division at the                       

University of Colorado Boulder; The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International                       

Trade; Blueprint program. 

   

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Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 

Background 5 

Current Economic Reality 5 

Problem 6 

Project Goals 6 

Stakeholder Engagement 7 

Stakeholder Engagement Activities 9 

Market Analysis 11 

Case Studies 13 

Gunnison, Colorado: Recreation as part of the bigger picture 13 

Buena Vista, Colorado: A festival series stopped after just one event 13 

Ludington, Michigan: Getting into the Gravel Grinder Circuit 14 

Emporia, Kansas: Disc Golf, Events, and Manufacturing 15 

Case Studies Summary 15 

Recommendations 16 

Trail Development 16 

Festival Development 21 

Festival Economic Impact Analysis 22 

Additional Recommendations 27 

Summary 28 

Appendix A - Stakeholder Chart 29 

Appendix B - Stakeholder Engagement Notes 32 

Appendix C - Festival Itineraries 36 

 

 

   

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Executive Summary 

Rangely, Colorado is located in the high deserts of Northwest Colorado, only a half-hour from the                               

Utah border. Historically, the area’s economy has relied on mineral extraction and the oil industry.                             

The first oil wells were drilled forty years before the town’s inception and it was during the heat of                                     

the oil boom in 1947 that Rangely was officially incorporated. Coal also provided a source of                               

grounding for local residents; evidence of mining activities can be seen dating back to the 19th                               

century. In 1981, the underground Deserado Coal Mine was provided a lease by the federal                             

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in response to the oil crisis of the 1970s. Due in part to the                                     1

variable nature of the oil industry, the town is now in search of strategies that will allow the local                                     

economy to represent the diversity of resources that this little western gem has to offer. 

The Town of Rangely and University of Colorado’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) and MBA                             

Program partnered to uncover creative approaches to boosting the local outdoor recreation                       

industry as a part of the Blueprint 2.0 Initiative provided by the Colorado Office of Economic                               

Development (OEDIT). In alignment with the Blueprint 2.0 mission, the CU team is committed to                             

co-developing a vision for the future of outdoor recreation in Rangely that aligns with the                             

community’s goals and values. In support of this effort, the CU team developed stakeholder                           

engagement activities to inform research and recommendations. The following proposal is                     

designed to address recurring themes that emerged from the community engagement process. 

Throughout initial conversations with Rangely stakeholders two main themes emerged: 1) how to                         

monetize recreation that typically draws self-sufficient visitors, and 2) how to make use of the                             

resources that already exist within the community. In consideration of these questions and after                           

thorough analysis of the many recreational opportunities provided within the town, the CU team                           

and Rangely representatives agreed to focus on the ambitious and realistic goal of making                           

Rangely the Tire Sports Getaway of Colorado. With over 250 miles of off-highway vehicle (OHV)                             

trails already in place, along with ideal mountain biking terrain, this strategy makes use of the                               

community’s undeveloped but accessible recreational features. To address the question of                     

monetizing recreation, this proposal focuses on: 1. Product, 2. Promotion, and 3. Growth.                         

Embedded in the plan are strategies for attracting new businesses and industry partners through                           

festivals and monitored trails. 

When it comes to attracting recreational visitors, Rangely citizens have expressed feelings of                         

sitting in the shadows of Moab, Dinosaur, and even its sister town, Meeker. The CU team believes                                 

that through close cooperation with the community, a comprehensive plan for developing tire                         

sport recreation within the town will make Rangely a unique destination that supports                         

1 (http://archives.datapages.com/data/meta/rmag/PiceanceBasin03/Lepro_1_firstpage.pdf)

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neighboring communities. Success of this plan will require a step-by-step process in partnership                         

with local champions of an emergent new future. 

Although bountiful with recreational opportunities, Rangely’s geographical isolation hinders the                   

ability of growth in the region. This project focuses on utilizing the existing resources and building                               

out a comprehensive plan to make Rangely the Tire Sports Getaway of Colorado. By identifying                             

trail development plans, building out potential sport-specific festivals, and providing a market and                         

industry analysis of recreation development in similar towns, the CU team will provide Rangely                           

with a development plan reliant on stakeholder engagement and inclusive of town values and the                             

needs of the current user base.  

To communicate findings and recommendations, the team provided stakeholders and project                     

partners a presentation and this report of the analysis, recommendations, descriptive itineraries,                       

and a suggested implementation timeline.  

Background 

Current Economic Reality  As seen in Table 1, Rangely’s economy is currently largely dependent upon industries related to                             

social services and natural resources. Social service related industries such as education, health                         

care, and social assistance are also reliant on a stable and growing population in order to thrive.                                 

Without a steadily increasing population, the demand for these services may either decrease or                           

stagnate which reduces economic development in the area. Rangely’s population remained                     

relatively stable for the 25 years between 1990 and 2015 (see Figure 1). During the early 1990s,                                 

the Rio Blanco County population grew slightly but then experienced a 21.4% decline over the                             

next ten years from 1995 to 2005. However, over the course of the 2007-2009 recession, the                               

Rangely population jumped back up and settled at 2,365 residents and has been fairly consistent                             

since. While a consistent population is by no means a bad thing, it does preclude economic                               

development and growth when the largest economic driver in the community depends on                         

serving a population. The recreation industry can be used to diversify Rangely’s economic                         

portfolio and reduce the town’s economic dependency on population growth. A recreation plan                         

should also aim to increase the tourism-related employment sector (ex: arts, entertainment,                       

recreation, accomodation, and food services) without harming the sector of its economy related                         

to natural resources. 

 

 

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Industry Type  Number of Jobs Provided in Rangely 

Educational services, health care, and social assistance 

292  

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 

234 

Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services 

144 

Table 1: Top industries providing jobs in Rangely, CO according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 

Problem 

The town of Rangely,       

Colorado has historically     

been dependent on the       

natural resource extraction     

industry for economic     

vitality. This industry has       

seen a steady decline in the           

past several years, creating       

uncertainty for the future of         

the Rangely community.     

Rangely and Rio Blanco       

county have an opportunity       

to use the area’s natural         

recreation features to expand upon their outdoor recreation offerings to diversify the economic                         

base for the long term sustainability of the community. Rangely needs to determine how to                             

monetize outdoor recreation by encouraging visitors to spend money in town and capitalize on                           

existing natural assets.  

Project Goals 

To address these problems, the project team established the following goals: 

1. Bolster recreation-based industry through trail and festival development to help diversify                     

the town’s current economy. 

2. Implement a plan that aligns closely with the values and characteristics of the people,                           

land, and mindset of the Town of Rangely.  

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Stakeholder Engagement 

There are multiple ways that stakeholders can be understood within the scope of this project. In                               

theory, every citizen of Rio Blanco county is a stakeholder in regards to the economic impact                               

potential of this project. Within the parameters of the project, the team focused primarily on key                               

stakeholders identified within the Rangely community. A list describing key stakeholders involved                       

can be found in Appendix A. These stakeholders had a direct impact on the development of this                                 

project by engaging in stakeholder meetings and workshops to inform recommendations. It is                         

likely that these stakeholders will play a key role in moving this project forward so that the                                 

benefits can be fully realized. The team also collected input from stakeholders interested in                           

recreation throughout Colorado and Utah through the dissemination and collection of a survey.  

Figure 2: Rangely Stakeholder Map. Green = Stakeholders; Red = Government entities; Yellow = The effect 

that will be had on the community 

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Sector  Stakeholder Group 

Local Government 

Rio Blanco County Government Officials 

Rangely Chamber of Commerce  

Rangely Recreation Center 

Town of Rangely 

Rangely Development Authority 

State & Federal* 

Government 

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International 

Trade 

Rio Blanco Water Conservancy Division 

Dinosaur National Monument* and Welcome Center 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife 

Colorado Tourism Office 

Private Industry 

Rangely Auto Museum 

Oil & Gas 

 Nonprofit Partners 

Colorado Northwestern Community College  

Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District 

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Conservation Groups  

Community Members  Rangely Citizens 

Recreators & Sports Groups 

Table 2: Rangely stakeholders by sector 

 

Stakeholder Engagement Activities 

Community engagement and locally generated ideas are the hallmark of the Rangely Tire Sports                           

Getaway of Colorado Plan. The plan was built upon a foundation of co-creation to ensure the                               

scope addressed the priorities and needs of local citizens. Through a series of community                           

engagement events, the plan development team was able to intercept questions and concerns in                           

early stages of planning while establishing a sense of shared ownership throughout the                         

community. The recommendations provided within this report are in direct response to the                         

information gathered through a series of round table discussions, design charrettes, and                       

visioning exercises. A summary of the themes that emerged from these interactions is                         

highlighted below, more detailed notes from stakeholder engagement activities can be found in                         

Appendix B.  

Engagement Event 1 – Stakeholder Introductions: Identifying Needs and Boundaries 

The first stakeholder engagement event took place at Rangely Town Hall and was designed to                             

introduce key stakeholders to the project team and the Blueprint 2.0 initiative. For the majority of                               

the project team, this was the first introduction to the Town of Rangely, and therefore an essential                                 

opportunity to gain an understanding of regional highlights and community values. The event was                           

formatted as a round table discussion that focused on the following questions: 

● What are the stakeholder expectations for this project?  

● What is Rangely’s capacity and anticipation or growth? 

● What is the biggest driver for tourists? What outdoor recreation opportunities exist? 

● What are the greatest concerns with expanding outdoor recreation? 

Findings 

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The information that emerged from the introductory conversation was robust and provided a                         

series of options for plan development. Through this discussion, the team developed a clear                           

sense of the priorities of Rangely community members described below. 

1. Stability and Scalability 

The central theme that surfaced during conversations was the need for greater economic                         

stability. Many community members described Rangely as a boom-bust town at the mercy of the                             

economic state of the fossil fuel industry. Town members were seeking complimentary industries                         

with the potential to draw a population large enough to sustain essential community facilities                           

such as the grocery store and hospital. Though limited growth was a priority, town members also                               

expressed the importance of maintaining the small town essence and family values that Rangely                           

provides, an ideal population range of 3,500 to 5,000 was identified. 

2. Current Reality and Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation Tourism 

Participants in the discussion shared a unanimous appreciation for the wealth of outdoor                         

recreation opportunities provided within and around Rangely. Suggestions for development                   

included, expansion of trail systems, enhanced river access to the Rio Blanco, and development                           

of recreation opportunities at the Kenney Reservoir. Along with these suggestions, community                       

members expressed a concern about the economic impact of recreational development; they                       

pointed to the self-sufficiency of most visitors and encouraged the team to provide strategies to                             

draw tourists into the town and expand the economic reach of visitation. 

 

Engagement Event 2 – Proposal Feedback and Co-Creation 

Following the initial visit, the project planning team developed several proposals to address the                           

needs and concerns expressed by the town citizens. Each of the proposals were presented to a                               

small group of community partners to determine the best-fit strategy; it was from this meeting that                               

the Tires Sports Getaway of Colorado and accompanying festivals was selected. The project                         

team recognized early on, that the plan in question would require significant community                         

involvement for it to come to fruition. For this reason, a second stakeholder event was held to                                 

encourage community participation through co-creation with the hope that community coalitions                     

would emerge to follow through with the plan. 

The co-creation activity was held at           

Rangely Town Hall and took the form of a                 

design charrette and visioning exercise.         

During the design charrette, community         

members formed into teams around BLM           

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maps to uncover trail expansion opportunities, potential corridors, and possible areas of conflict.                         

The visioning exercise encouraged participants to consider the impact of seasonal festivals                       

through the lens of various members of the community such as families, business owners,                           

visitors, and city officials. The festival visioning component was included to address any                         

trepidations that existed throughout the community toward increased tourism. Through these                     

activities, the planning team was able to receive immediate feedback on project design and                           

implementation strategies which are outlined below.  

Findings 

1. Trails: Awareness and Incremental Build-Outs 

Throughout the engagement exercise, conversations continued to circle back to the need for                         

improved awareness of the trail system that is already in place. Suggestions were made for                             

system-wide signage enhancements to begin at highway exits and continue to trailheads and                         

along trail paths. Participants also emphasized the need for an incremental trail build-out. They                           

encouraged the planning committee to identify priority expansion areas and a clear timeline for                           

continued development. 

2. Festivals: Open Doors and Family Friendly 

The planning team was pleasantly surprised to learn that the majority of the participants                           

welcomed increased tourism. The focus of the conversation was directed more toward                       

opportunities (such as increased town revenue and community enhancement) rather than                     

concerns. Stakeholders did highlight potential challenges to increased visitation including a lack                       

of adequate lodging and entertainment.   

In summary, it was the intention of the planning team to bring together community members in                               

way that encouraged them to look beyond the problems and toward collective solutions. The                           

result was a flood of innovative ideas that were directly applied to the project plan presented in                                 

this document. Through these engagement events, each of the participants became a mutual                         

author in developing the future of Rangely through a collective imagination. Successful rollout of                           

the Rangely Tire Sports Getaway of Colorado Plan will depend upon ongoing community                         

collaboration. 

Market Analysis 

To determine the potential market for recreation expansion in the area (and specifically relating                           

to the recommendations within this report) and community interest in increased tourism, the team                           

distributed two surveys. The first survey, the Rangely Recreation Survey, was distributed to 27                           

OHV and mountain biking stakeholder groups throughout Colorado and Utah and, as of Monday                           

December 17th, received 113 responses. The second survey, the Rangely Community Survey, was                         

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advertised to Rangely community members through leaflets, social media posts, and direct                       

interaction, and has received 55 responses. Both surveys and their results can be found in the                               

supplemental Blueprint Google Drive documents.  

The survey analysis shows that there is strong community interest for expanding recreation and                           

the possibility of more tourism in Rangely. Community members were asked how they felt about                             

these topics using a likert scale (1 = strongly against expansion and tourism; 5 = strongly in favor                                   

of expansion and tourism). Over 75% of respondents were either in favor or strongly in favor of                                 

each topic. This indicates that initiatives to increase local recreation and tourism have community                           

support.  

The analysis also shows that there is an               

active and untapped market for recreation           

in and around Rangely. As shown in Figure               

2, 74.3% of respondents participate in           

recreation weekly, 40.7% spent greater         

than $5,000 on recreation in the last 12               

months, 25.6% spent between $3,000 and           

$4,999 on recreation in the last 12 months,               

and 65.2% spend their recreation time two             

or more hours outside of Rangely. This             

indicates that recreators in Colorado and           

Utah recreate frequently and spend money           

doing so. Additionally, 31.2% of respondents           

reported a total household income of           

$150,000 or more before taxes, and 22% of               

respondents reported a total household         

income of $100,000 to $149,999. This           

indicates that this market also has           

disposable income to spend on leisure           

activities such as recreation.  

The top three outdoor recreation activities           

this user group participates in are           

hiking/trail walking (70.8%), mountain biking/cycling (69%), and OHV activities (42.5%). By                     

focusing recreation development on the most expensive of these activities (mountain                     

biking/cycling and OHV activities), Rangely can attract recreation users who are willing and able                           

to spend money on their recreation activities.  

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In addition to being valuable for the potential economic benefits to the community, recreation                           

expansion is also important to the community itself. 49.1% of the respondents to the Community                             

Survey participate in outdoor recreation weekly, and when Rangely community members do                       

recreate, 43.6% do so within 45 minutes of Rangely and 34.5% recreate in Rangely itself. This                               

suggests that the community already values recreation and diversifying Rangely’s economic                     

portfolio to include an increase in recreation infrastructure. These surveys clearly indicate that                         

enhancing the local recreation economy would benefit the community both fiscally and culturally. 

 

Case Studies 

As the Rangely community continues to develop a recreation plan, there exists ready opportunity                           

to learn from the experiences of other towns and cities that have included recreation as part of                                 

their economic portfolio. This section summarizes the key findings uncovered through research                       

across select, notable recreation development stories to highlight approaches to emulate, avoid,                       

and consider as Rangely builds upon the existing recreation infrastructure in the area.  

Gunnison, Colorado: Recreation as part of the bigger picture 

Gunnison’s Recreation Master Plan includes a focus on recreation as a means to improve the                             2

quality of life for its citizens, as well as attracting visitors to the community for a positive, active                                   

experience. Their plan, which has many similarities to that of Crested Butte , includes                         3

development of local amenities for their residents and visitors to use and respect. Emphasis was                             

placed on maintaining a sustainable recreation economy, which involves building infrastructure                     

and activities that are well-suited to the local environment, as well as planning for upkeep and                               

cleanliness as the number and frequency of visitors increase. A Steamboat Springs community                         4

group advocates for the “slow” build-up of trails to minimize damage to local ecosystems. 

The recreation plan from Gunnison also demonstrated that recreation must coexist with other                         

industry and economic producers, and that planning should incorporate these perspectives into                       

the process and development. This integration goes in both directions: recreation adds value to a                             

local economy when incorporated into the place and given opportunity to exist with other                           

industry. The Gunnison plan wisely considers the seasonality of recreation and seeks to balance                           

visitorship throughout the year with activities well-suited for hot or cold and snowy, rainy, or dry                               

seasons.  

2 One Valley Prosperity Plan 3 Crested Butte Recreation Plan 4 Steamboat Pilot 

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Buena Vista, Colorado: A festival series stopped after just one event 

Buena Vista has experienced significant growth in the past decade, with recreation as a major                             

contributor. BV, and neighboring Salida, provides a breadth of recreation opportunities and has                         

invested in river-oriented development. Both of these communities have leveraged their                     

geography to firmly establish an identity as a river town, attracting visitors and new residents.                             

Amongst the many success stories, however, not every idea or effort has gone as well as hoped                                 

for.  5

In August of 2016, Buena Vista hosted a music festival that brought over 8,000 visitors and                               

numerous media accolades to the area. The event was planned to be the first in an annual series                                   

that draws big-name musical artists to the stunning views of the Collegiate peaks and Arkansas                             

River. Despite economic success and the enjoyment of visitors, local residents were unhappy                         

with the noise and accompanying disturbance to their peace. Ultimately, the pushback from BV                           

residents outweighed the success of the event and the series was cancelled. Event organizers                           

said that residents’ noise restrictions would impede their ability attract the top-talent acts that                           

played a major role in record-setting months for the Buena Vista economy. The mayor of Buena                               

Vista recognizes the benefits that spread throughout the community when locals and visitors                         

spend $10 million in a single month, but also appreciates the concerns of long-time residents.                             

Festivals and events can drive massive economic gains for a community, but resident                         

experiences must be incorporated for long-term viability. 

Ludington, Michigan: Getting into the Gravel Grinder Circuit 

“Gravel Grinder” bike races are long-distance events typically oriented towards endurance rather                       

than technical mountain biking. This type of mountain biking is well-suited for Rangely’s                         6

geography and existing county roads and fosters an enthusiastic community in Colorado and                         

throughout the United States. While many gravel grinder events operate throughout the year and                           

generate success for local communities, the Michigan Coast-to-Coast event has relevant                     7

attributes worth highlighting for the Rangely trail and festivals development initiative.  

Gravel grinder events, by definition, occur over a broad area of land; harnessing the energy and                               

economic potential of an event like this requires strategic planning and organization. Determining                         

success for a competitive event depends on perspective: a competitor wants to win, their support                             

team wants safety and a smooth race, organizers want enjoyment and repeat competitors, and                           

the local community wants to monetize the visitorship to support businesses and residents. Key                           

5 Vertex Festival Discontinued after 1-Year 6 Gravel Grinder Events Calendar 7 212-Mile Gravel Grinder from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan 

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attributes to emulate or consider when hosting a gravel grinder competition include: detailed                         

itineraries and things to do nearby, competition entry fees shared with local community,                         

registration fees coupled with discount rates for local accommodations, resident engagement                     

prior to and during the event, and auxiliary activities for support teams during event and                             

competitors before and after the race. Often, bike racing events are hosted by a third-party event                               

organizer. Many event organizers focus on a single event, but others have begun to grow and                               

have become activity-specific event organizers for top-tier events around the nation. “Events by                         8

Lifetime” is an organization that hosts events across the country, including the Leadville 100 in                             

Leadville, Colorado.  

Emporia, Kansas: Disc Golf, Events, and Manufacturing 

Disc golf sits outside the scope of this project, for now, but could become a valuable                               

consideration to include in future recreation development discussions. Disc golf courses are                       

typically free for participants which means great local access for residents of all skill types and                               

income levels, and no direct revenue generated from typical use. The relatively low cost of                             

construction and maintenance reduces the need for significant revenue, but economic                     

development activities seek some return on investment as a metric of success.  

The town of Emporia, Kansas demonstrates the potential of free-to-participate recreation                     

activities to drive economic success in adjacent sectors. One way to generate income from disc                             9

golf or trail usage is to host organized events that involve a registration fee and sponsorship, as                                 

discussed in the Michigan example above. Communities can also generate income from                       

free-to-participate recreation activities by manufacturing the products that are used in the activity.                         

Dynamic Discs produces performance disc golf equipment and supports 50 permanent local jobs                         

year round. The Emporia-based company recognized the potential of improving their brand                       

recognition and identity by building a disc golf course and hosting competitions. The “Glass                           

Blown Open” disc golf event is now part of the national tour, drawing top competitors, their teams                                 

and sponsors, and spectators to the town of Emporia each year. Dynamic Discs, as a sponsor of                                 

the event and local manufacturer of disc golf products, has enjoyed growth and success as a                               

company, partially due to the annual competition.  

Case Studies Summary 

Recreation can be a major component to a prosperous local economy and healthy resident                           

lifestyle. Recreation typically cannot drive a local economy on its own throughout the seasons of                             

the year, it must become integrated as a vital part of the economic portfolio of an area. The                                   

8 Dirty Kanza Gravel Bike Race 9 Disc Golf Course and Manufacturing Pays Off 

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activities of an area should respond to the geography, climate, and identity of the place, with                               

respect to seasonality, distinction from other recreation destinations, and maintenance of                     

community character and values. Events can attract large numbers of visitors to a community,                           

bringing financial value to the area, but also bringing potential conflicts with local residents;                           

incorporating the views and needs of the community establishes a foundation for long-term event                           

success. Respecting the characteristics of the local environment will guide recreation                     

development towards long-term success. Events require organization and supplementary                 

development and eactivities to realize their full potential and to actualize their economic benefit;                           

there are many successful events to emulate and event companies to partner with. Manufacturing                           

of recreation-related equipment and products can create year-round jobs and become part of a                           

“snowball effect” wherein local products and local events support each other’s growth and                         

success.  

When planned and developed appropriately, outdoor recreation provides communities with an                     

opportunity to improve their local economy and quality of life without detracting from other                           

industry or harming the environment. The Town of Rangely holds great potential to become a                             

cherished destination for recreationists and visitors. 

 

Recommendations 

The following recommendations were presented to Rio Blanco County and interested                     

stakeholders at the community presentation on November 30, 2018. 

Trail Development 

Rangely is poised to be able to capitalize on their already existing multi-use trail infrastructure. In                               

order to move forward in the most productive, cost-effective, and manageable approach, it is                           

recommended that Rangely and Rio Blanco county work in tandem to achieve the following                           

goals. 

Create awareness of the area 

By gathering existing trail map data and publishing it online, Rangely can bring awareness to                             

recreators about existing trail infrastructure. Leveraging the multiple online recreation platforms                     

that exist and are maintained by user data, Rangely can publish to all types of trail users, as well                                     

as different activity groups in the area.  

Websites to Publish Trail Information: 

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MTB Project: A user-updated database of mountain bike trails from around the world. Users can                             

upload GPS trail maps and pictures, and provide reviews and details about trail conditions.  

Singletracks: The largest mountain bike trail database on the internet. This site has a robust user                               

base from around the world, and allows users to upload trail information.  

Stay The Trail: A Colorado based OHV advocacy group that provides trail information for areas                             

around the state. This user group has over 10,000 “likes” on Facebook, and has a broad-reaching                               

audience of OHV enthusiasts. 

Hiking Project: A user updated database of hiking trails from around the world. With a similar                               

interface to MTB Project, it is user-friendly and allows any user to upload trail information,                             

conditions, photos, videos, and reviews of all types of trails.  

Along with publishing information for recreation user groups to find, it is imperative that Rangely                             

foster awareness of the area through active partnerships with local OHV and mountain biking                           

coalitions. Coalition development will be integral to maintaining and growing awareness of the                         

region, as well as serving as advocates for the landscapes and activities that will be taking place                                 

in and around the town. A number of local mountain bike coalitions have already committed to                               

helping Rangely develop a coalition and provide guidance on the best practices and                         

development tools to move forward. 

Coalition’s Committed to Rangely 

Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association (COPMOBA): A mountain bike coalition for the                       

Grand Junction and Fruita area, this coalition has ample experience in building, maintaining,                         

educating, and advocating for mountain bike trails. Their knowledge of seeing an economy be                           

built around education would provide invaluable insight for Rangely, and help establish a path for                             

Rangely’s mountain biking trail development into the future.  

Contact: Chris Muhr, COPMOBA Vice President - chris@allmetalswelding.com, (970) 243-6310 

 

Northeastern Utah Mountain Bikers (NUMB): Located in Vernal, UT, NUMB has experienced 

first-hand the trials and troubles that come with building a coalition. Their Secretary/Treasurer 

Trina Hedrick has already committed NUMB to providing assistance in development of a Rangely 

area coalition. NUMB has started putting on their own events, and has grown their user base 

within the Vernal community. As the closest neighbors to the Rangely, NUMB would be a 

fantastic connection to leverage to help develop mountain biking recreation in the area.  

Contact: Trina Hedrick, NUMB Secretary/Treasurer - trina_hedrick@yahoo.com, (970) 243-6310 

  

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Highlight the initial draw to the region 

Rangely has many benefits that people across the region actively seek out. A quieter lifestyle,                             

fewer crowds, and a true Colorado experience in the desert. These different qualities, as well as                               

the family-friendly atmosphere that exists here, can be used to its advantage to keep crowds                             

smaller and more manageable for the town and the county.  

 

Build trail infrastructure 

Building trail infrastructure should be Rangely’s last step in the trail development process. This                           

step is the most cost-intensive and requires planning, physical labor, and maintenance to ensure                           

adequate and safe trails. When working through the process of trail development, it is important                             

that user group information and partnerships with OHV and biking coalitions be taken into                           

account. This input will lead to buy-in from groups, which in turn will lead to longevity of the trail’s                                     

life. Approaching trail development from multiple angles will build partnerships across different                       

user groups using these trail systems.  

If approached properly, these recommendations will allow Rangely to maintain a sustainable                       

recreation economy that will help diversify the town’s income. There are many aspects of trail                             

development, but initially focusing on these three will create a foundation that addresses all                           

stakeholders’ hopes and concerns in a manageable period of time.  

Recommendations Implementation Timeline 

Crafting a plan for trail development is imperative to ensuring efficient use of time and resources                               

as Rangely works to expand its recreation economy. The trail development plan should be                           

crafted and implemented in stages, allowing for prioritization of actions. Focusing resources and                         

efforts on specific steps for the next two years will set a foundation for three years and beyond. If                                     

Rangely follows the recommended timeline below, successful trail development will be achieved,                       

which will boost the community’s recreation economy.  

Recommendations for 2019 

1. Digital Publishing of Current Trail Infrastructure Maps:  

Rangely needs to immediately begin compiling maps of the current trail infrastructure                       

surrounding the area. These maps should be digitally published on the various trail                         

information platforms listed above to help boost awareness of region. Digital publishing                       

will take minimal time and resources, but will be an invaluable tool as trail development                             

and promotion continue to drive recreation industry in Rangely.  

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2. Collaboration with Coalitions & the BLM:  

As noted previously, the BLM owns and manages the land surrounding Rangely. Fostering                         

strong collaboration with not only the BLM, but with local and regional OHV and MTB                             

coalitions will establish a strong foundation for future expansion of recreation in Rangely                         

and help to boost awareness of the area to increase visitorship. Mountain biking and                           

off-highway vehicle coalitions will serve as a great resource to Rangely through the trail                           

development process, as these are the volunteers who utilize the trails and can                         

communicate needed improvements to BLM and Rangely trail development officials.  

3. Improve Trail Signage:  

Enhancing existing signage and installing new signs along trails will improve accessibility                       

and safety of the trail systems around Rangely. Coalitions can help determine where new                           

or improved signage is needed, and the BLM can assist with updates and installations.                           

Trail signage is important not only for directional information, but for informing recreators                         

about proper usage to ensure the trail system’s longevity.  

Timeline 2019-2020 

 

Recommendations for 2020 

1. Develop Comprehensive Trail Management Plan:  

Starting in 2020 Rangely should begin the process of developing a comprehensive trail                         

management plan. This plan will help guide efforts of trail development into the future to                             

ensure efficient and effective use of resources and time during the build-out process. This                           

plan will require strong partnerships with the BLM and the Coalitions to bring as many                             

stakeholders and as much information into the development process as possible.  

2. Continued Development of OHV & MTB Coalitions:  

Solidifying established relationships with coalitions is important, but expanding these                   

coalitions into new territories is also necessary. Continued expansion of coalition activity                       

will ensure progression to reach new prospective members in other regions of the                         

country.  

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3. Finalize Build-Out of 8 Single-Track Trails:  

It is recommended that Rangely not focus initially on building new trails, but instead                           

solidifying the establishment of eight well-maintained, ready-to-recreate trails that offer a                     

starting point for the trail development process. It is important for Rangely to build upon                             

what is already in place before jumping into new trail development. It is best to focus first                                 

on development within the Chase Draw area, as this area is close to town and already has                                 

an established trail system, which simply needs updating and maintenance. This process                       

will be cost and time effective and easier to implement than beginning with new trail                             

development.  

Timeline 2020-2021 

 

Recommendations for 2021 and Beyond 

1. Lodging & Socialization Opportunities:  

With the expansion of new and improved trail development around Rangely comes                       

increased visitorship and tourism. This will be positive growth for Rangley’s economy, but                         

will require investment in infrastructure to ensure supply can match the growing demand.                         

Rangely will need to identify new lodging opportunities for recreators.  

While many recreation enthusiasts often camp, providing options for lodging will provide                       

an economic base for Rangely around the recreation industry. Perhaps reopening closed                       

down hotels will not be initially feasible, but there are other opportunities such as                           

charging for campground and RV use, as well as accessing the growing network of Airbnb                             

opportunities. These are just a few options for Rangely to consider as they begin to                             

realize increased demand as the recreation economy grows with trail development.  

2. Socialization Opportunities:  

Increased tourism should also be met with expanding socialization opportunities in which                       

visiting recreators can participate. One of the ideas identified by the project team is the                             

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creation of a local brewery and recreation retail and rental complex that also serves as a                               

community gathering space. Breweries are incredibly popular in Colorado and they have                       

been shown to enhance nightlife and socialization in smaller communities. For example,                       

in Steamboat Springs, Mountain Tap Brewery and Butcherknife Brewery are frequented                     

by locals and tourists alike and offer space for community events. Breweries like these                           

often become a foundational piece of the community and are involved in various                         

activities, events, and values of the town.  

 

Festival Development 

To realize the full economic potential of Rangely’s trail system, strategies for increasing and                           

diversifying tourism must be considered. To achieve this goal, two annual trail-centered festivals -                           

a gravel grinder race and a Jeep weekend - can be implemented. Festivals were selected as the                                 

preferred marketing strategy because they provide an opportunity to monetize and promote                       

Rangely’s robust trail network while also enriching the local community. Suggestions for multi-day                         

itineraries that highlight local attractions are also provided to complement and extend the                         

economic reach of the festivals. A summary of these recommendations is provided below. Both                           

of these festivals could be organized by town leadership, such as the Town of Rangely and the                                 

Rangely Chamber of Commerce, as well as outside event planners. Connections to experienced                         

event planners could be made through the Colorado Festivals and Events Association. The town                           

could partner with CNCC for event volunteers. Funding could come from a combination of ticket                             

sales and sponsorship opportunities. 

Gravel Grinder Race 

A gravel grinder race is a bike race along unpaved roads and trails and is quickly growing more                                   

popular among cyclists. This event could combine an organized bike race of various distances                           

with a path designed to show off Rangely’s trail system, along with complementary events, such                             

as a Tough Mudder style obstacle course and a family-friendly festival setting. The main festival                             

ground could hold a stage for an awards ceremony, as well as live entertainment along with tents                                 

for vendors, including food sales, festival merchandise, bikes and bike gear, and general festival                           

booths along the lines of face painting and balloon animals. This event could take place over a                                 

weekend in the spring, possibly during Moab’s Jeep Safari, as the desired cyclist target market                             

tends to avoid OHV-specific events. This allows the event to take advantage of temperate spring                             

conditions and sets the race before the onset of similar events across Colorado - such as the                                 

FoCo Fondo and Steamboat Ramble, among others. Possible sponsors include local breweries                       

and distilleries such as Vernal Brewing Company or Grand Junction’s Highlands Craft Distillery,                         

bike dealers and outfitters, and related gravel grinder or mountain bike coalitions. Ticket prices                           

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could begin around $50 per festival participant and increase to higher prices as the Rangely                             

gravel grinder race increases in popularity.  

Jeep Weekend 

A jeep weekend event would entail OHV races and obstacle courses, taking advantage of                           

Rangely’s rock crawling park and trails. This event could be marketed specifically to Jeep owners                             

or opened up to all OHV users. Vendors could include food sales, festival merchandise, and OHV                               

dealers and OHV gear. This festival can be designed to be family-friendly by incorporating live                             

entertainment and vendors geared towards kids, similar to the recommendations for the gravel                         

grinder race. One potential kid-friendly activity is a Build a Box Car event followed by a box car                                   

race and drive-in movie at the park. This event could take place over a weekend with the                                 

possibility of expanding to a week-long event once the festival is more established. This event                             

could be held either in the early summer or early winter to avoid competition with more                               

well-established Jeep Week events in the region, such as those held in Moab and Clear Creek                               

County. Possible sponsors include local breweries and distilleries, OHV dealerships and                     

outfitters, and OHV coalitions such as the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. A base price                             

could begin around $100 per vehicle for the weekend, based on market average for similar types                               

of Jeep Week events.  

Multi-Day Itineraries 

To introduce visitors to the many attractions Rangely has to offer beyond the trail system,                             

supplementary events and activities located throughout the town are embedded within the                       

three-day festival agendas. The itineraries are designed to extend visitation while also spreading                         

the economic flow from the festivals throughout the town. Through these itineraries, visitors can                           

find an array of entertainment opportunities spanning from alternative outdoor recreation options,                       

learning about and participating in western heritage, and exploring local art and culture. See                           

Appendix C for sample event schedules and festival itineraries. 

Festival Economic Impact Analysis  

While it is difficult to monetize trail use on a regular basis, festivals can be directly                               

attributed to a source of revenue for Rangely. IMPLAN3 software was used to                         

conduct a sensitivity analysis of the economic impact of small, medium, and large                         

festivals in Rangely. IMPLAN3 is an Economic analysis software that allows users                       

to analyze input-output models to determine the community impact of events,                     

businesses, government policy, and more on local economies. IMPLAN3 uses                   10

data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the U.S. Bureau of Labor                           

10 Implan Website 

22 

 

 

Statistics (BLS), and the U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates provided by Rio Blanco county were used,                             

so the data correlates specifically to the Rangely area. IMPLAN3 is regarded as the most trusted                               

economic impact analysis software by industry-leading economic research analysts.  11

Festivals that already take place in Colorado each year were analyzed to create the base                             

assumptions for the analysis.  

Small Festivals 

A small-scale festival that takes place in Colorado each year is the FoCo Fondo in Fort Collins,                                 

Colorado. It is a gravel cycling race that offers 12-, 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes. It starts and                                   12

finishes at New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, and offers a variety of family-fun                             

activities at the finish line including food trucks, vendors, bike demos, live music, and games for                               

kids. This race has about 300 participants each year and entry fees range from $30 to $90.  13

Foco Fondo Participant Fees: 

● 13-18 yr old 27-Mile Scavenger Hunt: $30 ● Adult 27-Mile Scavenger Hunt: $60  ● Family 12-Mile: $40 ● 13-18 yr old 50-Mile Gravel Ride: $35 ● Adult 50-Mile Gravel Ride: $80  ● 13-18 yr old 100-Mile Bite the Bullet Gravel Fondo: $40 ● Adult 100-Mile Bite the Bullet Gravel Fondo: $90 

The FoCo Fondo was used as a basis for small festival assumptions for Rangely.  

Assumptions for Rangely 

● Participants: 300 people, including 150 residents and 150 visitors  ● Accomodations: Blue Mountain Inn at 100% capacity, 50 rooms x $100 average cost                         

for 1 night ● Entry Fee: $50 per participant in festival ● Meals: Used the Colorado Federal Per Diem rate for visitor meals, $51 per person per day,                               

assume 1 day of meals ● Transportation: Fuel for 75 cars (150 visitors/2) for 10 gallons at $2.67 per gallon 

It was assumed that the Rangely event would pull the same number of participants as the FoCo                                 Fondo - 300 participants, with half of the participants residing outside of Rangely. With 150                             visitors in town, it was assumed that the Blue Mountain Inn would be completely booked for 1                                 night with the average room rate being $100 per night. A cost of $50 per participant was chosen                                   because it is about the average price per participant in the FoCo Fondo. As festivals and races                                 

11 Implan Website 12 FoCo Fondo Website 13 FoCo Fondo Website 

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gain popularity in Rangely, there would be an opportunity to increase the price. The federal per                               diem rate for Colorado was used to estimate how much visitors would be spending in one day on                                   meals. Finally, it was assumed that half of the visitors that attended the festival would need to                                 purchase gas for their car to drive home. The average Colorado rate for gas was used,                               understanding that this rate can be higher in Rangely.  

 

Results 

Upon inputting these assumptions into the IMPLAN3 analysis software, it was found that the                           estimated output would be $19,105 and the estimated value added would be $10,935. Output is                             equivalent to revenue or total sales from the festival. Value added is equivalent to net revenue or                                 total sales minus total costs. It is important to note that IMPAN3 only accounts for visitor spending                                 and does not include any increased spending by residents. Additionally, this is a conservative                           estimate based off of assumptions. Case studies have shown that other towns have had an even                               larger economic impact from similar festivals and this is possible as the popularity of these town                               festivals increase in Rangely.  

 

Figure 3: Results of IMPLAN3 analysis for small festivals 

 

Medium Festivals 

A medium-scale festival that takes place in Colorado each year is the Old Man Winter Bike Rally                                 

and Run in Lyons, Colorado. It is a winter racing festival that offers a 50-km gravel cycling race, a                                     

100-km gravel cycling race, or a 5.9-mile run through Red Rock canyon. It starts and finishes at                                 14

Laverne Johnson Park and is complete with snowflake awards and an after party filled with food                               

and beer provided by the festival sponsors. The Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run has about                                 

1000 participants each year and entry fees range from $45 to $99.   15

Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run Participant Fees:  

● Run Registration: $45  

● 50-km Bike Registration: $69  

● 100-km Bike Registration: $89  

14 Old Man Winter Website 15 Old Man Winter Website 

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● Run 50-km Bike Combo: $99 

The Old Man Winter Bike Rally and Run was used as a basis for the medium-sized festival                                 

assumptions for Rangely.  

Assumptions for Rangely 

● Participants: 1000 people, including 500 residents and 500 visitors  ● Accomodations: Blue Mountain Inn at 100% capacity, 50 rooms x $100 average cost                         

for 2 nights ● Entry Fee: $75 per participant in festival ● Meals: Used the Colorado Federal Per Diem rate for visitor meals, $51 per person per day,                               

assume 1 day of meals ● Transportation: Fuel for 250 cars (500 visitors/2) for 10 gallons at $2.67 per gallon 

It was assumed that the festival in Rangely would draw the same number of participants as the                                 Old Man Winter Festival in Lyons - 1000 participants, with half of the participants residing outside                               of Rangely. With 500 visitors in town, it was assumed that the Blue Mountain Inn would be                                 completely booked for 2 nights with the average room rate being $100 per night. Since there are                                 so many visitors, the assumption was made that some people will stay the night before the                               festival and some people will stay in Rangely the night of the festival. A cost of $75 per                                   participant was chosen because it was the average price per participant in the Old Man Winter                               Festival. The federal per diem rate for Colorado was assumed for one day of meals. Again, the                                 assumption was made that half of the visitors that attended the festival would need to purchase                               gas for their car to drive home. 

Results 

These assumptions were input into the IMPLAN3 analysis software and it was found that the                             estimated output (revenue) for a similar medium-sized festival in Rangely would be $71,101 and                           the estimated value added (net revenue) would be $40,614.  

 

Figure 4: Results of IMPLAN3 analysis for medium festivals 

 

Large Festivals 

A large-scale festival that takes place in Colorado each year is the Leadville 100 in Leadville,                               

Colorado. This is a race for experienced athletes and is composed of a 100-mile bike race or run                                   

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through the challenging terrain of the Rocky Mountains. This race is so popular each year that it                                 16

has a lottery system for selecting participants. The lottery system is a way for the town to control                                   

crowds and set a feasible capacity for the race. The Leadville 100 has about 1300 participants                               

each year and entry fees range from $335 to $450. It is important to note that this race has                                     17

been around since the 1980s, but only started gaining widespread popularity in the early 2000s.                             

It will take time to work up to a festival of this magnitude, although it is a possibility for the future.  

Leadville 100 Participant Fees:  

● Run Registration: $335 

● Bike Registration: $450 

The Leadville 100 was used as a basis for large festival assumptions for Rangely.  

Assumptions for Rangely 

● Participants: 1300 people, including 500 residents and 800 visitors  ● Accomodations: Blue Mountain Inn at 100% capacity, 50 rooms x $100 average cost                         

for 2 nights ● Entry Fee: $200 per participant in festival ● Meals: Used the Colorado Federal Per Diem rate for visitor meals, $51 per person per day,                               

assume 1 day of meals ● Transportation: Fuel for 400 cars (800 visitors/2) for 10 gallons at $2.67 per gallon 

The assumption was made that Rangely’s event would pull the same number of participants as                             the Leadville 100 in Leadville - 1300 participants, with 800 of the participants residing outside of                               Rangely. With 800 visitors in town, it was assumed that the Blue Mountain Inn would be                               completely booked for 2 nights with the average room rate being $100 per night. Again, since                               there are so many visitors it was assumed that some people will stay the night before the festival                                   and some people will stay in Rangely the night of the festival. With a festival of this size there                                     would also be an opportunity to reopen some of the closed hotels to accomodate a larger                               capacity of visitors. The entry fee was assumed to cost $200 per participant. As a festival of this                                   size increases in popularity, there would be an opportunity to increase the entry price. The                             federal per diem rate for Colorado was used for one day of meals during the festival. Again, it                                   was assumed that half of the visitors that attended the festival would need to purchase gas for                                 their car to drive home.  

Results 

These assumptions were input into the IMPLAN3 analysis software and it was found that the                             estimated output (revenue) for a similarly large festival in Rangely would be $233,423 and the                             estimated value added (net revenue) would be $132,105. 

16 Leadville Race Series Website 17 Leadville Race Series Website  

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Figure 5: Results of IMPLAN3 analysis for large festivals 

Additional Opportunities for Revenue 

There are also supplementary opportunities for the town of Rangely to earn revenue during                           

festivals: 

● Having food trucks or food stands from local restaurants on site at the festivals would                             

provide an opportunity for local businesses to generate revenue and provide visitors with                         

a taste of Rangely cuisine.  

● Selling branded merchandise would be another way to bring in additional revenue to the                           

town of Rangely. This could be executed by offering the option to purchase a festival                             

jersey during registration, as well as by including merchandise tents at the festival that sell                             

branded memorabilia.  

● Providing the option for festival participants and their groups to purchase a reserved                         

campsite in advance would be a way for Rangely to increase capacity at events without                             

creating additional infrastructure. Research shows that other festivals charge around $25                     

per campsite for this accommodation option.  

● As festivals gain more popularity there would be additional opportunities for current                       

residents to rent out their homes via AirBnB or VRBO.  

● Coupon books or discounts to local shops and restaurants could be offered for festivals                           

attendees. This would encourage visitors to stay in town for purchasing meals and                         

souvenirs, rather than traveling outside of Rangely.  

Through collaboration among town leadership, community members, and outside recreation                   

coalitions, these festivals can provide short bursts of tourism that supply a steady economic flow                             

throughout the year.   

Additional Recommendations 

In addition to the primary foci of trail and festival development, the Rangely recreation                           

development team could find value in river-based recreation and pursue financial support                       

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through a variety of mechanisms potentially available to assist in implementation of these                         

initiatives.  

River-based recreation in Rangely can effectively serve many simultaneous goals for the                       

community and the broader region. The White River provides valuable water to the towns of                             

Meeker and Rangely, as well as the agricultural and energy industries, which comprise a large                             

part of the local economy. The limited water resource also provides critical habitat to fish, wildlife,                               

and plant communities. Incorporating recreation into this array of stakeholders provides valuable                       

additionality to the restoration of riparian systems along the river corridor and maintaining                         

adequate stream flow throughout the year for each of these groups.  

River-based recreation in the greater Rangely area could include hiking, biking, fishing, and water                           

sports like SUP, kayak, and inner tube floating. While outside the scope of the current project,                               

further investigation and efforts placed on water recreation were supported by many residents                         

and community groups during citizen engagement processes. Other cities across Colorado and                       

the United States have found success in stacking the co-benefits of riparian health restoration,                           

water resilience, and recreation; this topic is worth exploring further. 

Maintenance of satisfactory flow levels throughout the year will be a significant influence on the                             

success of river-based recreation in the region. Many Rangely and Rio Blanco County residents                           

identified Kenney Reservoir as a top recreation destination, indicating an appetite for                       

water-based recreation. 

Financing options for these projects will, in large part, be determined by the nature and scale of                                 

development chosen by the recreation and economic development teams. Generally, a practice                       

of identifying multiple beneficiaries from a given project provides the opportunity to cost-share                         

across several, differently oriented agencies, both public and private, at county, state, and                         

regional levels.  

Summary 

While there are many opportunities to enhance recreation and attributed economic growth in the                           

town of Rangely, utilizing stakeholder engagement and identifying the unique characteristics of                       

Rangely helped inform specific recommendations involving trail and festival development.                   

Establishing strong collaborative foundations among various stakeholders interested in furthering                   

Rangely’s economic and recreation industry success will ensure the community’s growth in this                         

area into the future. If these recommendations are followed, the town of Rangely is poised to                               

attain the many benefits that the recreation industry can provide to a community.  

   

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Appendix A - Stakeholder Chart 

 

Stakeholder Group  Description 

Rio Blanco County 

government officials 

The Rio Blanco County government is sponsoring this Blueprint 

Project. They have a vested interest in seeing the town of Rangely 

become more economically sustainable for future generations. 

Rangely Chamber of 

Commerce 

Each visit, the team met with local business partners as well                     

as the Rangely Chamber of Commerce. These stakeholders               

are interested in this project because they see the economic                   

impact it could bring their respective business. They want to                   

stay invested in this project to ensure that the values and                     

priorities of the current businesses of Rangely are being                 

taken into account. 

Town Of Rangely  The town of Rangely is a key stakeholder to this project.                     

Without the towns buy-in, there can be no momentum or                   

actions put in place. The people that live and work in this                       

community are the real decision makers on what programs                 

could be implemented to help grow the town and the identity                     

of Rangely.  

Bureau of Land 

Management 

The BLM is a major stakeholder in this area, because of the                       

fact that they are the primary land managers for much of the                       

surrounding landscape. The BLM owns all of the federally                 

owned land surrounding the town, and houses many of the                   

trail systems that will be used in this report. The provide                     

valuable resources and knowledge, and should be             

considered a close ally for the success of this project. 

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Dinosaur National 

Monument  

Located only 30 minutes away, Rangely is the largest                 

municipality near Dinosaur National Monument. With ample             

evidence showing the positive impact of public lands being                 

located near an established town, the timing is ripe for                   

Dinosaur NM and Rangely to work together in order to attract                     

visitors that could benefit both parties. 

Colorado Northwestern 

Community College  

The major higher education institution in Rio Blanco County.                 

CNCC carries degrees in a few different areas, with the most                     

notable being the National Park Ranger Academy. This               

program is one of only seven in the country and provides                     

hands-on learning opportunities to students wanting to work               

within the NPS and develop leadership skills in public lands.  

Rangely Recreation 

Center 

Tucked just south of downtown, the Rangely Recreation               

Center provides everything from sports to a summer concert                 

series. They provide a major public outlet for recreation                 

opportunities and are intrigued by this project for the                 

development of larger future programs.  

 

Rangely Auto Museum   Considered to be a hidden gem in the town, the Rangely                     

Auto Museum houses 30+ privately owned cars ranging from                 

early 1900’s to the mid-1950’s. This impressive collection of                 

vehicles brings a strong leverage point for attracting other                 

car clubs from across the Colorado and Utah landscape.  

Rangely citizens  Rangely citizens themselves are the core of the town. With a                     

population of approximately 2,200 people, Rangely is a               

community-driven town in every sense of the word. It is                   

necessary to build out a plan that takes into account the                     

values, principles, and goals of the people of Rangely.  

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Recreators & Sports Groups 

OHV community - The largest recreation use within the town 

of Rangely is the Off-Highway Vehicle community (OHV). 

These users recreate in every form of off-roading there is. 

Everything from Jeeps, ATVs, Motocross bikes, and Baja 

racing can be found within this community in the vast 300+ 

miles of terrain set aside for recreation.  

Mountain biking - Rangely has a long-lasting interest in the 

development of building out their mountain biking community 

due to the current infrastructure that has been established 

from the OHV community. With miles of slick rock and many 

features similar to nearby Moab, Rangely has the necessary 

attributes to become a hotspot within the state, and it is a 

goal of this project to help them capitalize on this 

momentum.  

Hunting/Fishing - A large historical context within the region 

is hunting and fishing, and the team wants to ensure that this 

long-lasting tradition is respected in the realm of this project. 

This project is not intended to hinder access, growth, or 

development of the hunting community.  

Horseback Riding - With 80% of Rio Blanco County 

consisting of BLM land, horseback riding is an accessible 

recreation opportunity. Along with a herd of nearly 300 feral 

horses, domestic riders can make use of the trail 

development plan.  

History Hikers - With Rangely situated in such close proximity 

of Dinosaur National Monument, and having 13 unique areas 

that contain petroglyphs or other ancient wall art, it is the 

perfect destination for historical hikers, school groups, and 

visitors from around the world interested in historically 

significant features. 

Water Recreators - Rio Blanco County is named after the 

White River that runs through the entire state. As it meanders 

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the county, it runs on the north end of town, as well as 

providing much needed water to the Kenney Reservoir (just 

east of town). Many anglers, boaters, and tubers come to 

Rangely to use both the reservoir and the river as 

recreational opportunities, so it is important to take their 

concerns into account. 

 

Rio Blanco Water 

Conservancy District 

The district helps provide drinking water, flood mitigation,               

and is a key decision maker regarding water management in                   

Rangely and the surrounding areas. The conservation district               

also plays a key role in riparian habitats and the conservation                     

of those areas. Developing a bike paths along the river to                     

connect different areas could provide opportunity to             

rehabilitate riparian zones along the White River. 

Conservation Groups   There are a myriad of conservation issues in Rangely and the                     

surrounding area. It is vital that concerns about conservation                 

are taken into account on all of the issues that are of concern,                         

or could become a concern in the future due to expanding                     

the tourism in the area.  

Oil/Gas industry  Oil & gas make up the largest labor force in the area, and are                           

a major financial driver in the region. With many people in the                       

community working in some way within this sector, the team                   

must approach the industry with sensitivity and compassion. 

Colorado Office of 

Economic Development 

and International Trade 

As our project sponsor through the Blueprint 2.0 Project, the                   

OEDIT office is a great resource at our disposal. They are                     

invested in this project because they want to see the success                     

it will bring Rangely, and how the Blueprint 2.0 project can                     

continue to make lasting impacts in communities throughout               

the state. 

 

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Appendix B - Stakeholder Engagement Notes 

Stakeholder Introduction Meeting 9/14/18      Stakeholder # 1 · Raven Realty · RDA – Rangely Development Agency · The Tank · Favorite part about Rangely: Community minded and community oriented Stakeholder #2 · Tank executive board – she showed us around The Tank · Strategic economic development board with AGNC · Favorite part about Rangely: loves the rich history about the town from the oil fields, dinosaurs, and white river Stakeholder #3 · Politically involved, on boards, loves the community · Concerned about water · Favorite part about Rangely: passionate about the town and community, paleontology, and archeological digs Stakeholder #4 · Piceance Basin with “wild” horses is the largest population of feral horses in Colorado · Could promote a “wild” horse tour Stakeholder #5 · Grew up here · Traveled all around for the construction business · Wants to make it a better place to live Stakeholder #6 · Rec center, recreation supervisor · Favorite part about Rangely: hunting and backdoor recreation Stakeholder #7 · Welcome center into the area · Tells everyone about all the fun things to do in the area! · Favorite part about Rangely/the area: largest migratory elk herd in the country, has fun all year-round hiking, hunting, fishing, and snowshoeing Stakeholder #8 · Commissioner in Rio Blanco County · Took us rock crawling · Favorite part about Rangely: community Stakeholder #9 · Town planner and engineer · Avid cycler, climber, and whitewater rafter · Need to promote their assets to the rest of the world · “Diamond in the rough” Capacity Goals: · Community goal 4k – 5k 

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· 5k would be the expansion max because of the surrounding BLM land · Community center is open 10 months a year. Have about 30,000 people go through the center but not all people go through Rangely · Sustainable hospital: 2,800 – 3,000 people · CURRENTLY have 2,000 residents · 2 hotels are open right now: Blue Mountain Inn and Moosehead · Would need to grow restaurants and housing  Priorities: · All trails, bikes, hiking, OHV · The Tank · The Automotive Museum · Don’t want to detract from the friendliness of the town – “The most friendly place”  IDEAS: 1. They have a potential trail system for mountain bikes · Trails going from dinosaur national monument to Rangely to petroglyphs · 360 loop all the way around, over 100 miles · Possibly extend over Baxter pass and extend it with Grand Junction · *Fiber internet - people can stay connected when they come  2. Reservoir · Provides water for Rangely · Wolf creek reservoir will bring another driver · SUP boards · Cliff jumping · Floating docks · Motorized boats · Ice fishing · *Don’t have kayaking · Aspects: water, industry, recreation  3. White Water Rafting? · Not above class 2 · More of a slow float relaxing on tubes · Rafters & mountain bikers drive through town to the green  4. River Park? · Mostly private property through river to town · On an endangered reach, so there are limitations with fish habitat · Don’t have any gradient through town · North Platt Nebraska: they rent out stock tanks & people have floating parties – maybe Rangely could do that · Canoe races in the spring in Rio Blanco to mining area  5. Breweries · They don’t have any breweries in Rangely or Meeker – closest one is in Steamboat · Old Moon Lake Powerplant – could be a possible area for a brewery 

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  6. Marketing · they do have current brand initiatives (Katelin to send to us) · Colorado Tourism Office - CTO  7. Community College · Big basketball school · Dental hygiene · Aviation · Equestrian program · Enrollment is up from what its been in the past (only 6 open beds)   8. Hunting · Very popular for elk · Don’t have a ton of tags · People are not really drawn to Rangely on its own BUT a lot of hunters come here   Target Market · Younger, medium income, from larger areas · Ages 35 – 55 · Front range of Denver · Salt Lake area · Western slope area  Current Paid Advertising · Print · Online · Billboard · CTO free resources · Press releases · Welcome center digital sign   CONCERNS: · Very different community than others · Very conservative, very individual, western culture · Not progressive · They have personality different than others · Need respect! · Want to remain small around 3,500 people, but they want businesses that aren’t struggling · In the 1980s the town was thriving, there has always been energy in Rangely, there was about 3,500 to 3,600 people then · Drawing additional income from recreators is a problem because people pack coolers and are self sufficient · Code of ethics with part of the recreation plan – signage on trails about respect   

   

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Appendix C - Festival Itineraries 

 

36 

 

 

 

37