Outdoor Recreation - Water

For many, outdoor recreation is one of the primary ways people interact with conservation and the work associated with it. Through rafting, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, biking, and many other activities, recreators can experience firsthand the variety of impacts of conservation projects. Below, you can find resources for outdoor recreation organizations and groups local to the Grand Valley.

Colorado Canyons Association’s mission is to foster community stewardship, education, and awareness of our National Conservation Lands with a focus on McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante, and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Areas (NCAs) in western Colorado. Click the link below to learn more!
https://www.coloradocanyonsassociation.org/
The Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition’s mission is to promote and support the development of a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive outdoor recreation industry, contributing to the Grand Valley's identity as a world-class place to live, work and play. Click the link below to learn more.
https://gvorc.org/
West Slope Outdoor Alliance’s mission is to bring together representatives from Delta, Mesa, and Montrose counties to forge a collaborative future for the West Slope. We empower collective action through proactive partnerships, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and responsible stewardship of our shared ecological community and unique heritage. We facilitate coordinated efforts across county lines, fostering a future rich in thriving communities, vibrant recreation, valuable agricultural lands, and healthy ecosystems teeming with wildlife. Click the link below to learn more.
https://www.westslopeoutdoorsalliance.org/

Adult zebra mussels have been found in the Colorado River on the western slope. This invasive species reproduces quickly and has a great impact on local waters and irrigation systems. Zebra mussels are notorious for attaching to surfaces and collecting over time. This can create blockages in irrigation infrastructure, causing blockages that can cause headaches for producers, landowners, and irrigation providers.

When recreating on water, please ensure all watercraft, including float tubes, paddleboards, and rafts, are clean, drained, and dried.

Click the links to learn more about zebra mussels and local efforts to slow the spread.