January 2026 Trailsletter
Trail work (snowed out), SPOC grant win, 2025 fundraiser results, and more!
1/1/20264 min read
Another new year dawns and we think it's going to be a big one for trails in Trinidad! With new routes coming to Fishers Peak, continued work at the Wormhole, and exciting developments from the Spanish Peaks Outdoor Coalition, the outdoor rec scene keeps growing in the region.
This month we'll be working at Levsa Canyon trail at Trinidad Lake State Park -- hope to see you there! Read on for details, plus a huge THANK YOU to all who donated to our 2025 fundraiser, and more...
SPOC Wins Grant for Regional Outdoor Recreation Guide
Trinidad Trails Alliance is an active working member of the Spanish Peaks Outdoor Coalition (SPOC), our local chapter of Colorado Parks & Wildlife's (CPW) Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative.
We're excited to announce that SPOC has been granted $124,575 by CPW and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to support our efforts around conservation, outdoor recreation, and sustainable economic development.
This grant will be used to produce an outdoor guide showcasing the Spanish Peaks region, highlighting local destinations, public land access, cultural sites, conservation areas, wildlife habitat, and outdoor businesses in Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
November Volunteer Recap
Cheers to everyone who celebrated with us and our friends at Purgatoire Watershed Partnership at last month's holiday party and volunteer appreciation event! We enjoyed tasty light fare from vendors at the Marketplace, refreshing beverages, and of course lots of holiday cheer.
As always, we couldn't do our work without YOU our amazing volunteers, and this was one way to say thank you!
We also got out to the Wormhole during this winter heat wave with a dozen volunteers who helped repair some tread, improve drains, re-seed disturbed areas from last fall's mechanized trail building class, and install the first of some new signage provided by the City of Trinidad. We appreciate all who came out!
Plus, check out the cool bicycle sculpture created by Tony Haddow which will be installed at the trailhead in the future -- it's made entirely from scrap metal found at the Wormhole.
2025 Fundraiser a Huge Success!
Wow! Our 2025 fundraiser -- only the second one we have ever launched -- was a smash success. TTA raised over $11,000, clearing our goal of $10,000.
We use this funding for mission critical efforts such as:
Purchasing and maintaining trail building and maintenance equipment, including a trailer
Providing matching grant funds for trail projects
Funding programs such as the TSC Mechanized Trail Building scholarship
Contractors and consultant fees
Acquiring trail signage and wayfinding items
Please check out our corporate sponsors below and give them some business! And of course a big thank you to all our individual donors as well.
If you haven't picked up your t-shirt, hat, or stickers yet, please shoot us an email!
January Trail Work:
Saturday 1/10 at Trinidad Lake State Park
TTA is heading back to Trinidad Lake to work on the Levsa Canyon nature trail, a popular option that leads straight out of the campground for excellent lake views and a quick 1.3 mile roundtrip hike. We'll be working on erosion remediation and general trail cleanup (lopping, raking, etc). Expect to hike into work sites with tools.
Saturday January 10, 2026
10 AM - 1PM
Reilly Canyon/Levsa Canyon Trailhead
*Weather Permitting*
TTA will provide tools, snacks, and cold beverages for a post-work hangout. Please bring your own pair of work gloves and a water bottle.
Sponsor of the Month
La Quinta Trinidad
Our business Sponsor of the Month is La Quinta by Wyndham, Trinidad location. One of the best hotels in the area, offering clean rooms, great service, and views of the Sangre de Cristo range.
Thank you for supporting local trails and outdoor recreation!
American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation to be Hosted at TLSP
TTA worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and Colorado Parks & Wildlife to submit an application with the American Hiking Society for their annual Volunteer Vacations, which pair passionate hikers with destinations for a week-long working vacation.
We're excited to be chosen as one of the sites for this cool program! Volunteers will travel to Trinidad in September of 2026, where they'll camp at the group campground of Trinidad Lake State Park, spending a few days working on the Reilly Canyon trail, bonding over group meals, and enjoying a day off to play at the lake or elsewhere.
Learn more about this excursion and the AHS at the link below -- and be sure to spread the word!
TTA board members played a key role in supporting this grant application and will participate in the regional guide development as well.
SPOC centers its work around pillars of Sustainable Recreation, Conservation, Economic Development, and Honoring Local Heritage, developing a regional plan for Huerfano and Las Animas counties by balancing outdoor access, habitat protection, and community traditions, with support from GOCO and CPW.