The Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) committee was formed in 2018 to facilitate idea-sharing between entities that might not otherwise communicate with one another. Members of the STOR committee include land managers, trails organizations, tourism industry professionals, businesses, and city and county officials. The STOR committee, unique to the Gunnison Valley, meets monthly to discuss opportunities for collaboration between entities, with the goal of balancing recreation with conservation. Meeting information and a list of committee members can be found on the Gunnison County website.

The Gunnison County Stewardship Fund was created to address resource damage, overcrowded campgrounds, disturbance to wildlife, and other impacts to public lands. Each year, local organizations can apply for Gunnison Fund donations to support stewardship projects in the Gunnison Valley. These funds are then used to improve the public lands visitor experience and protect the ecosystem through active stewardship projects. 

If you want to help protect and maintain the two million acres of public lands in and around the Gunnison Valley, the best way is to volunteer or donate to a local trails organization like Gunnison Trails or Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA).

If you’re curious about the purpose and structure behind the STOR committee, check out their charter and action plan. Wondering what the future holds for the group? Read their strategic plan. To attend a meeting or ask a question, contact Gunnison County Stewardship Coordinator Joe Lavorini at jlavorini@nationalforests.org or 720-670-6254. 

Check out the other organizations in the Gunnison Valley that help make the land and the people here thrive. 

• Gunnison Trails
• Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association
• Crested Butte Avalanche Center
• Crested Butte Land Trust
• Gunnison Public Lands Initiative
• High Country Conservation Advocates
• Gunnison Nordic Club