Custer County Partnerships Help Hikers Start on the Right Foot
Refreshed trail signage keeps hikers safe, informed, and on track
Custer County, about 60 miles west of Pueblo, offers miles of picturesque, remote trails in the Sangre de Cristo peaks and the Wet Mountains—a rewarding landscape that requires hikers to be prepared. Now, a refreshed signage system and in-person outreach days are enabling visitors to better plan and enjoy safe outings, thanks to local partnerships and a Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) grant.
These efforts support two Outdoor Recreation strategies from the CTO’s Statewide Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, to expand Do Colorado Right campaigns on public lands, as well as broaden trail ambassador and volunteer initiatives.
Supporting Visitors in Planning Safe Hikes
Hiking in Custer County is a do-it-yourself affair, said Shelly Larson, president of Trails for All, a volunteer effort formed to support local trails. The area’s solitude and peace are part of its appeal. The nearby town of Westcliffe provides support through a visitor website (VisitWetMountainValley.com), visitor information (located temporarily inside 3rd Street Gallery) and one outdoor shop (All the Range Mountaineering and Outdoor Gear). Often, hikers simply arrive at trailheads and undertake their own trips to alpine lakes and 14,000′ summits.
The challenge is that visitors come from around the world and may underestimate the demands and risks of the backcountry. To hike safely, “you need to be informed,” said Larson. “Part of our mission was making sure people arrive safely so they don’t have to call search and rescue, and have enough information to choose the trail that’s right for them.”
Until recently, the signage marking area trails was 25-30 years old. United States Forest Service (USFS) trailhead kiosks were cluttered with backcountry regulations and information on papers tacked to the boards. “We were sending people to the trailheads, and once they got there, we could only hope that they had done their research on where they were going to go and how long it was going to be,” said Debbie Adams, who chaired the Custer County Tourism Board during this effort.
Grants Enable a Refreshed Signage System
In 2024, Custer County Tourism was awarded a CTO Tourism Management Grant to create three new trailhead kiosks and update information on four others. The collaboration to implement the project included the USFS and Trails for All, which supplied ideas for signage information based on deep knowledge of the trails, along with tractors and manual labor.
Today, the information is cohesive and well-designed, for eye-catching guidance on area hikes, responsible recreation and backcountry safety. Each kiosk includes a map showing area trails, forest and wilderness boundaries, roads, parking and campgrounds. The kiosks feature information on the Rainbow Trail, which connects throughout the area, plus photos and distances to nearby milestones. The signs incorporate Do Colorado Right / Leave No Trace messaging, trail etiquette and safety tips, a list of The 10 Essentials for backcountry activities and icons highlighting USFS rules and regulations. QR codes link to information from Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX), a Colorado trail map app; Custer County Search and Rescue; Custer County Tourism, Trails for All; and USFS.
Funds from an additional grant extended the area’s signage refresh. In 2024, Trails for All received $7,000 from Athletic Brewing Company. Volunteers hand-dug post holes and replaced 28 trail markers, smaller signs along the trails showing distance and direction, that complement the new kiosks. “Everyone who goes to the trailheads now really appreciates the information,” said Adams. Added Larson, “Now it feels like it’s welcoming and [that] we’re proud of our region.”
Community Volunteer Days
Tourism partnerships also opened new ways for locals to protect the forests in their backyards.
In July 2024, Trails for All joined with Custer County Search and Rescue and the Rocky Mountain Back Country Horsemen, a group dedicated to exploring and preserving backcountry trails, to host Community Outreach Days at the popular South Colony trailhead. The ambassadors extended their outreach up the trail to camping spots at South Colony Lakes, which the USFS estimates sees 3,500 to 4,500 visitors each summer. One volunteer even dressed like a cowboy and rode his horse to the lakes.
Volunteers shared Trash the Trash and other Do Colorado Right messaging in this area far from garbage cans and restrooms. They focused on creating one-on-one connections with visitors and answering questions. Volunteers also handed out stickers and QR codes with links to information, minimizing paper waste. This outreach, which was well received, will return over the July 4th weekend in 2026, with ambassadors camping at South Colony Lakes.
The signage and outreach projects, as well as trail maintenance, engaged 153 volunteers in 2025, who together contributed 1,253 hours of work. These initiatives are highly successful on all counts, involving locals in stewarding their prized trails while empowering even more visitors to safely and responsibly enjoy the quintessential Colorado hiking experience.
