Gaining speed
Silverton's Baker's Park project awarded $750,000 GOCO grant

The dream of more bike-friendly singletrack in Silverton is rolling faster toward reality. This week, the Silverton Singletrack Society (SSS), which is spearheading the effort to bring 30 miles of trails to the town, announced it received a $750,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant.

The funds will help propel the next phase of the Baker’s Park Trail System, which was first proposed by the SSS in 2019 for an area directly north of town, known as Boulder Mountain.

Currently, the Baker’s Park Trail System features 7 miles of completed singletrack, with the 2025 work plan already fully funded. This year’s efforts include the installation of trail counters to monitor usage (funded through a grant from the International Mountain Bicycling Association), trail enhancements by the Southwest Conservation Corps (funded by GOCO and the Colorado Youth Corps Association), and planning and design work for the next 20 miles of trail (supported by a Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant).

The $750,000 grant will help fund construction in 2026 and beyond, while also serving as a catalyst for additional grants and partnerships needed to fully realize the trail system’s 30-mile vision.

“Our vision has always been to build a world-class trail network that honors the landscape and brings lasting economic and community benefits,” Klem Branner, President of Silverton Singletrack Society, said in a news release. “With this support from GOCO and our partners, that vision is becoming a reality.”

The grant was awarded through GOCO’s highly competitive Community Impact Program: only four out of 17 proposals received funding in this cycle. According to Mike Wight, Southwest Regional Program Officer at GOCO, the project stood out for its strong community support and inclusive, multi-user, multi-generational vision. “This project represents the kind of thoughtful, community-driven work that GOCO is proud to support. The Baker’s Park Trail System will connect people of all ages and abilities to the outdoors while strengthening the local economy,” he said.

The funding builds on years of groundwork laid by the grassroots nonprofit, which has been spearheading the project since 2018. It has been joined by a broad coalition of community partners including the Town of Silverton, Bureau of Land Management, IMBA, Colorado Youth Corps and San Juan County, which provided the original seed funding for Baker’s Park.

“This award is a huge step toward realizing the full vision for the Baker’s Park Trail System,” Austin Lashley, Chair of the San Juan County Board of Commissioners, said. “It reflects years of community effort and a shared commitment to expanding sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities in our region.” 

Town leadership echoed this sentiment, pointing to the trail system’s alignment with local priorities. “We’re proud to be part of a project that not only enhances access to nature, but also reflects the priorities outlined in our Silverton Compass Master Plan,” Silverton Mayor Dayna Kranker said. “This award shows how much can be achieved when a community rallies around a shared vision.” 

Public land managers also emphasized the strength of the collaboration. “The Baker’s Park Trail System exemplifies what’s possible when local governments, nonprofits and federal partners work together toward a common goal,” Megan Mast, Recreation Planner with the BLM Gunnison Field Office, said. “We’re excited to continue working alongside our partners to expand high-quality outdoor experiences in this region.”

To date, SSS has raised more than $1.7 million through cash and in-kind donations for the Baker’s Park project. “We have made incredible strides with fundraising, but we still have a ways to go,” Lisa Branner, SSS fundraising organizer and wife of Klem, said. The group will need to continue seeking funds in order to finish out the full 30-mile trail system.

Funded by Colorado Lottery proceeds, GOCO grants aim to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. Since being created by voter approval in 1992, GOCO has funded more than 5,800 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado. 

For more on Baker’s Park, go to: silvertonsingletracksociety.org