The Town of Frisco is proud to be a new stewardship member of the Care for Colorado Coalition, founded in the spring of 2020 by the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The two organizations initially joined forces in October 2017 to reduce visitor impacts on Colorado’s natural resources and introduced the Care for Colorado Principles of responsible tourism in May 2018.

The Care for Colorado Coalition is an alliance of more than 60 statewide organizations, from large state and federal agencies, such as Colorado Department of Agriculture, the US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to smaller entities such as Colorado’s cities, towns and businesses. The coalition is dedicated to educating Coloradoans and visitors to protect the state’s extraordinary natural and cultural resources. Coalition members amplify the mission of the CTO and Leave No Trace by accessing provided training on Care for Colorado principles and how to spread that message, and by sharing timely media content encouraging all to be mindful of how we interact with our natural environment. Participation from organizations of all sizes allows for broad reach of messaging as well as creating impact at a more local level.

 “The Town of Frisco is central to endless outdoor recreation opportunities and we are so thrilled to welcome visitors from all over the country and the world. However; as visitor numbers have increased over the years, so have impacts to our trails, parking areas, and ecosystems. A lot of that impact can be mitigated with a bit of education about our surroundings, general outdoor preparedness, and perhaps about wildlife encounters, which many people don’t have to deal with in their everyday lives. We are proud to work with the Care for Colorado coalition in spreading the principles of responsible tourism,” stated Jessica Holley, Frisco/Copper Mountain Visitor Information Center manager.

Care for Colorado Principles

• Know before you go – Learn about and respect the spaces we all share. This means check the weather, layer and pack appropriately for where you are heading, bring navigation tools, have an emergency plan.
• Stick to trails– While the mountains are rugged, many ecosystems here are fragile. Protect them by staying the trail and camping at least 200 feet away from water sources. Sticking to trails also helps prevent navigation issues.
• Leave it as you find it– Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you find them so others experience the joy of discovery. Building structures or campsites on public land isn’t cool. Treat all living things with respect.
• Trash the Trash – Pack it in, pack it out. Or pick it up to leave a place better than you found it.
• Be careful with fire– Colorado’s low humidity and drought patterns can create dry, dangerous conditions. Keep campfires small and manageable to avoid sparking wildfires. When putting out a fire, water it until you can handle the embers. Never let a fire burn unattended. Use care when smoking in Colorado’s dry climate. Always put cigarettes out completely, and don’t leave your butts behind. Always check for local fire restrictions.
• Keep wildlife wild- Do not approach or feed wildlife. You could alter natural behaviors, exposing them to predators or even euthanasia. Keep your furry buddies leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails, and pack out their waste. All the way to a trashcan.
• Share trails and parks– Try lesser known trails. Be considerate to other users, and yield to the uphill hiker or biker – they need the momentum. Keep your voice and music soft so all can enjoy the peace of Colorado.

For more information about the Care for Colorado Coalition, please visit Colorado.com/CareForColorado.For more information about Town of Frisco’s involvement in the Care for Colorado program, please email TOFInfo@TownofFrisco.com.