Keeping up with OHV issues.

[colbystephens]

So, I've learned from my recent thread in the Lounge about Tellico getting closed that people don't know how to stay informed on OHV related issues, so I figured I'll start posting up info from the Blue Ribbon Coalition here as pertinent info gets sent out.

I'll start out with a positive note from the BRC:

Yesterday we received word from Glen Graham, President of the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), asking us to pass along this update on the apparent attempt to loot the Colorado OHV Fund.


It looks like your calls and emails worked. We join Glen and COHVCO in thanking all who took action, and we'll also take this opportunity to give a hearty well done to Jerry Abboud, Glen and everyone at COHVCO. Well done!


I have pasted in a copy of Glen's email below; please take a couple of minutes to read it over and pass along.


Thanks for your quick action,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
From Glen Grahm, President
Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition http://www.cohvco.org/
We won this one.
The JBC finished their business and closed the Long Bill at about 5:00 pm, and did not consider the DNR proposal to move money from the OHV Registration Fund to the General Fund. We must now wait to see if DNR (or their rats) seek late bill status. This could theoretically happen anytime up until the last day of the session, but Jerry says this would ordinarily be difficult, and with us watching, probably next to impossible.


When Jerry and I have time, we will describe in a little more detail what happened, and why, and why we need everyone to get and stay involved.
It appears that in the end, Senator Tapia was convinced that our position was the correct position, so thanks to all of you that sent emails to Senator Tapia last night.


Please circulate this to those that have helped by calling and emailing the JBC - good job every one - but we are not done yet. We do have a little breathing room, and a lot more eyes watching.


- Glenn Graham, COHVCO Chairman


The last minute proposal from DNR was tabled on Monday afternoon by our hero; Representative Don Marostica, District 51 - Larimer County. This gave us time to rally the troops. With the help of hundreds of phone calls and e-mails from the OHV community, the JBC was convinced to leave our money alone.


This would have never happened were it not for the years of work and relationships built by Jerry Abboud. Many thanks also to JBC Chair; Senator Moe Keller, Senator Abel Tapia, Senator Al White and a special THANK YOU again to Representative, Don Marostica for giving Jerry the heads up.

Alot of folks are pretty negative these days - feeling helpless that we can't help guide the future of our sport, often chocking it up to the fact that our current administration is full of a bunch of BS. While I do think that these are valid claims, and that the current state of our nation makes our fight more difficult, this letter proves that we can accomplish something. We can keep our trails open.



I urge you to stay up to date on what's happening with your local OHV areas and get involved. The future of this sport depends on our involvement and our RESPONSIBLE recreation.