It takes a lot of hard work to ensure people can have fun in our great outdoors. But Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates is up to the challenge.
MWTA is participating in the Give! campaign for the sixth time. Last year, the group netted $35,000 from Give!; Executive Director Cory Sutela is aiming to match that this year.
But it’s not just about the money for the Manitou Springs resident.
“We increased our presence in the young donor competition through a partnership with teams from the Colorado High School Racing League, and Revel Bikes. We also had an opportunity to expand our virtual and hybrid Town Hall model for community engagement, and plan to hold more of these through the winter,” he said.
Even though MWTA has been around for more than 30 years, participating in Give! helps raise its profile in the community, bringing in more volunteers and in-kind donations.
As with most nonprofits, volunteers are the backbone of MWTA. The group can count on about 20 people who show up for Trail Love workdays (see box for specific volunteer needs). So far in 2021, MWTA has hosted 15 volunteer work days; Sutela is hoping for more, weather permitting.
“We have space for everyone who loves trails, regardless of your background or physical ability. Many of our volunteer tasks can be done from the comfort of your home, on your schedule,” he said.
“We are committed to a positive volunteer experience and welcome anyone who loves trails to join us to learn more.”
Sutela is proudest when he sees people using trails that MWTA has advocated for and helped design. For instance, the Lion Trail in Red Rock Canyon and the 6.5-mile Sweetwater Canyon/Daniel’s Pass network in North Cheyenne Canyon opened this year.
Working with the U.S. Forest Service, MWTA has adopted the Buckhorn Trail, also in North Cheyenne Canyon, to provide long-term maintenance. The group also is collaborating with the Friends of Monument Preserve group for Forest Service trails near the Monument Fire Center.
MWTA’s new Trail Agent program recruited trained trail-repair experts who led drain cleanouts on the Intemann Trail in collaboration with other organizations. The group also was active on four trail projects in Red Rock Canyon: Upper Codell, Lower Codell, Overlook Trail and the skills park.
Medicine Wheel often works with Manitou Springs city staff and the Open Space Advisory Committee, and Sutela is excited about collaborating with Skyler Beck, the city’s parks and recreation director. MWTA also had “significant input” on increasing Motorless Morning opportunities in Garden of the Gods.
Partnering with Kids on Bikes and the Cheyenne Mountain Cycling Team, MWTA has started a planning and fundraising effort to build a “pumptrack” in the Cresta Open Space, near Skyway Elementary School in southwest Colorado Springs.
An Italian company has devised a way to use cardboard forms filled with dirt to create small-scale tracks that help hone the skills of beginning and intermediate mountain bikers. MWTA will coordinate with the city of Colorado Springs to oversee the Cresta construction in spring 2022.
The group is continuing its efforts to improve trail etiquette and good interactions among everyone who uses the region’s trails, whether they’re on foot, on wheels or on horseback.
“At the core of MWTA, we’re mountain bikers who love trails — and most of our trails provide inspiring views, experiences and connections for hikers, trail runners, equestrians, pet walkers and other users,” Sutela said.
“We are committed to great volunteer experiences and invite everyone to join our team as we work to create a world-class network of trails in the Pikes Peak region.”
VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates needs people with these skills and passions: experienced crew leaders and anyone who would like to be; experienced trail designers; web and internet technology gurus; a newsletter editor; social media mavens; event planners; and helpers at events. Volunteers will receive training. Information: medwheel.org/volunteer. MWTA also needs a work truck.
UPCOMING MWTA EVENTS
Admission is free to all events. Times were not available as of the Bulletin’s deadline. Information: medwheel.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 1: Screening of the film “Shift,” about an indigenous community in Yukon, Canada, that developed mountain bike trails as a way to revitalize their home and provide sustainable tourism revenue. The event, co-hosted with Give! participant One Nation Walking Together, features a panel discussion about the role of trails in our community and how this has evolved over time. Public House at the Alexander, 3104 N. Nevada Ave.
Friday, Dec. 3: MWTA will participate in the Monument Christmas Market, including performances from its partners, Subcaste Sound and Light. Trails End Taproom, 252 Front St., Monument.
Wednesday, Dec. 8: Give! event with Tri-Lakes Cares, Trails and Open Space Coalition, Paws n Hooves and Wild Blue Cats. Pikes Peak Brewing, 1756 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument.
Thursday, Dec. 9: Holiday sweater party with Give! partners Rocky Mountain Field Institute and Blackpackers. This event will feature a fun sweater competition as well as a tie-in with the Leave No Trace initiative. OCC Brewing, 2316 W. Colorado Ave.
About the Give! campaign
Every year since 2009, nonprofits in El Paso and Teller counties have reaped the benefits of participating in the Give! campaign.
So far, Give! has helped 230 local nonprofits raise more than $14.6 million from more than 100,000 donations.
This year’s campaign is featuring 82 nonprofits. Some are located in Manitou Springs or Colorado Springs Westside, and they help make life in these areas better for everyone.
The Bulletin will highlight two more local nonprofits: Happy Cats Haven (happycatshaven.org), Dec. 2; and Westside CARES (www.westsidecares.org), Dec. 9.
The campaign runs through midnight Friday, Dec. 31. Information: indygive.com or 577-4545, ext. 212