In 2016, Grand County residents passed the Open Lands, Rivers and Trails (OLRT) measure with 60% of voters approving the measure. This created the OLRT fund that can be used to: acquire lands that conserve and protect water for agriculture, ranching, outdoor recreation, natural areas, scenic open lands, wildlife habitat, wetlands and river access; acquire water rights and water storage rights; and pay for maintenance costs on hiking and biking trails.

This measure also created the Open Lands, Rivers and Trails Advisory Committee. There is one representative on the committee for each of the six towns in Grand County, plus one representative from each of the county commissioner districts.

The committee makes recommendations to the Grand County Board of County Commissioners regarding the disbursement of money from the OLRT Fund. Members on the committee review and rank grant applications twice annually during the spring and fall grant cycles. Advisory committee members, along with the administrator, also serve as the point of contact for organizations interested in applying for OLRT funds.

The members meet on average five times per year for two-hour meetings in Hot Sulphur Springs.

The committee is looking to fill three positions that will be vacant starting in January 2024. Open positions the committee is looking to fill include Grand County District 1, Hot Sulphur Springs and Grand Lake. The representatives for each of these positions have fulfilled their full terms.

To qualify you must be a resident of Grand County, preferably residing in District 1, Hot Sulphur Springs or Grand Lake. Submit questions, resume and a letter of interest to olrtac@co.grand.co.us by Nov. 3. Members are not compensated for their services.

The terms of office for each member is four years with a maximum of two full terms. New members will start their first term in January 2024. The committee seeks to have equitable representation from the agricultural, land conservation, outdoor recreation, water, business and economic development communities.

If you want to get more involved in the protection of Grand County’s open spaces and waterways and/or with the maintenance of our hiking and biking trail systems, then consider applying for one of the positions on Grand County’s Open Lands, Rivers and Trails Advisory Committee. For more information check out the website at Co.Grand.Co.Us or email the administrator, Anna Drexler-Dreis at aldrexler@gmail.com.