A volunteer group promoting quality of life, and the
environment of the Lower Blue River Valley.
The Friends of the Lower Blue River are dedicated to sustaining and protecting the traditional agricultural character, promoting the safety of the residents, livestock and wildlife, and maintaining the environmental integrity of the Lower Blue River Valley through education, collaboration and community involvement.
To sustain and protect the traditional agricultural character, promote the safety of the residents, livestock and wildlife, and maintain the environmental integrity of the Lower Blue River Valley through education, collaboration and community involvement.
Friends of the Lower Blue River is committed to preserving the rich history of the Blue River Valley. Through grant support from the Summit Foundation, we have created this interactive tool that documents and takes you to key points of interest in the Valley. You will see photographs and read about those who came before us. Those who settled this pristine area of Summit and Grand Counties in the 1800’s and the relevance those sites have today. FOLBR invites you to take this journey on our website and discover the treasure, that truly is the Lower Blue River Valley.
Click Here to see History Story Map
Example of a Beaver Dam Analog
Last month, our Wetlands for Wildlife project, funded and sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, took real steps forward. We began ground operations along with Ecometrics, uplifting previously modest wetlands, implementing beaver dam analogs as a natural climate solutions tool within our Climate Resilience Initiative. This process allows the stream to expand following historical flows, enhancing biodiversity, mitigating drought impacts and promoting healthy wildlife habitat.
The next phase of this project is already underway creating Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping designs. We are also working to develop field verification teams this autumn to examine the natural intricacies of streams. Next spring, we will continue this work throughout more of the Lower Blue River Valley.
Wolverines are going to be reintroduced into the Colorado environment. Planning is underway to achieve that goal. What's involved? What does it mean for you? What is the timeline for reintroduction? Join Friends of the Lower Blue River for an evening conversation with Dan Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Get the answers to these questions and more from the source.
The event will be at the Silverthorne Pavilion on Tuesday, June 4th from 6:00 to 8:00pm. A cash bar for beer and wine will be available. Admission is free, but donations to Friends of the Lower Blue River are always welcome and accepted.
CDOT is reportedly planning more roadwork on Highway 9 this summer north of mile marker 113. Depending on the condition of the highway, the annual FOLBR Highway 9 Clean Up is set for Saturday, June 1st.
This will be Lynn Amstutz's last year leading the highway clean up. So we are looking for a new project leader for this annual event. Everyone is meeting at 9:00am at the corner of Highway 9 and Ute Park Road. (Not Ute Pass Road). Be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots. Also bring work gloves, a hat and sunscreen.
The clean up area will be between mile markers 111 and 113. Donuts and orange juice will be provided. The project should be completed by 11:00am. If you are interested in participating, please contact Lynn Amstutz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If weather is bad, Sunday June 2nd is a back-up date. We will keep you posted about CDOT as we get closer to the date.
The annual Breckenridge Fly Fishing Film Tour is on March 22 at the Riverwalk Center offering a traveling roadshow of the best fly fishing films in the world. This is the 18th Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), offering a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead. The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind.
While the event is a collection of great cinematography, the BreckF3T aims to create community and kick-off the 2024 fly angling season right by supporting disabled veterans, high school stream ecology education and local conservation efforts.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children and students 3-17 years old. For tickets, click the link below. Doors open at 5:30pm with live music from KelLee Abdella, food, drink, and mapping out the Raffle Corral for when your winning ticket gets drawn. Films start at 7pm.
https://tickets.breckcreate.org/Online/seatSelect.asp?createBO
The Blue River below Green Mountain Reservoir is truly a special place. The nearest town on the map is Heeney. The proximity to Silverthorne makes it a worthwhile place to explore without having to travel far to have some aquatic fun. While the majority of the Lower Blue River is surrounded by private property, the 3.8-mile canyon section below the Green Mountain Reservoir dam to Spring Creek Road is a wonderful place for the public to access. It is challenging to navigate from the parking area below the dam due to the steep hill, especially during winter. Most canyon enthusiasts make the effort to either look around at the beauty or go fishing.
When the water flows increase to 500 cfs and above, that is when people like to float down the river to either the Spring Creek Road access or continue to the confluence of the Colorado River near the Gore Canyon Access area. The length of the float from Spring Creek Road to the confluence of the Colorado River is 10 river miles. Remember, the Spring Creek Road Access is a take-out only section, specifically for kayakers. It is not a take-out for rafts and is not a put-in for boats of any kind. Rafters who launch below the dam are committed to the 13.8 river mile float to the confluence of the Colorado.
Governor Jared Polis has released the second version of the state's climate action plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in half by 2030, and make progress toward net-zero GHG pollution in Colorado by 2050. First released in 2021, the original Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap (‘Roadmap’) laid out a set of near-term commitments to reduce emissions across economic sectors. Having completed more than 95% of the near-term actions from the original Roadmap, "Roadmap 2.0" updates Colorado’s emissions forecast and lays out a new set of bold actions to save Coloradans money and continue making progress toward a clean energy future.
According to Governor Polis, “Colorado has been a national model in bold climate action that improves air quality and protects our precious resources and open spaces. This updated, comprehensive Roadmap continues pushing our state forward in ways that will save Coloradans money, protect our air and water, and ensure a more sustainable future for Colorado.”
The slogan “THINK GLOBALLY ACT LOCALLY” is pretty catchy. When it
comes to climate change (or as some say “climate disruption”) I ask myself, what can I do locally as a Summit County resident, and will my actions have any impact?
The answer is yes. We can all have an impact and here are just a few ways:
Less car idling: I have paid more attention to the number of cars in our complex left idling for several minutes. With fuel injection now in most, if not all new cars, idling isn’t necessary. The exhaust from internal combustion engines contains pollutants that negatively impact then air we breathe. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, personal vehicles in the US generate around 30 million tons of CO2 every year just by idling. Approximately 20 billion dollars is spent every year for gas and diesel fuel in vehicles that are idling and not moving. In Colorado, statewide regulations pertain to larger commercial vehicles and prohibit idling more than five minutes. So, if you think you might be idling for longer than 30 seconds, turning off your engine. It is a better choice.
