Colorado Statewide Forest Resource Assessment

Analysis: Forest management can provide positive benefi ts for outdoorrecreation: it can reduce risks from wildfi re and insect and diseaseinfestations; address safety concerns such as hazardous trees; maintain orenhance wildlife and fi sh habitat; improve recreation facilities and trails; andpromote scenic diversity. No statewide assessment of forest-based recreationopportunities currently exists for Colorado. To provide a basis for assessingthis forest value, data regarding publicly accessible, forest-based recreationopportunities from a number of entities was collected and combined toproduce a map that shows where the greatest density of forest-basedrecreation opportunities exists across the state. This analysis shows nearly10 million acres with a high to very high density of forest-based recreationopportunities. The majority of these acres are in spruce-fi r, aspen and piñonjuniperforests, with the vast majority under USFS management. It shouldbe noted that this analysis does not incorporate any measure of visitor use,which, if available, would indicate where recreation areas experience thegreatest demand.Map 27 – Density of Forest-Based Recreation Opportunity63