If you're like me and many others, you enjoy hiking around and getting in the water, especially at nearby hotspots like Ridgway State Park, with its trails and swim beach.

It might not occur to you that an entire community of folks yearn for that kind of access, but because of their physical condition, it's no simple feat to go for a hike or get in the water. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is very much aware. This week, it announced the addition of track-chairs — souped up wheelchairs capable of going over rougher terrain, and with means of operation that do not necessarily depend on the ability to use your hands and arm strength. 

I can't tell you what that means for people with disabilities, but David Sussman can. David is a longtime volunteer with Telluride Adaptive Sports, an adaptive athlete, ski instructor, and also board president of TAS. And he had two words: "Game changer."

You can read more about it, and the float chairs and mat CPW obtained for Ridgway Reservoir access, here.

This equipment doesn't come cheap, but will see extensive use. What do you think can be done to increase accessibility equipment at state parks and other public assets? What would you like to see? Let us know here on NABUR!

(Below: Park staff and Telluride Adaptive Sports give the track-chair at Ridgway State Park a test run recently. Photo is courtesy of CPW.)

Hi, everyone, the Love Your Gorge volunteer event is about a month away! Please come join the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership and Ouray Ice Park to beautify and restore a sustainable environment to the Uncompahgre River Gorge! Saturday, Sept. 17. Here's the link to sign up: https://www.uncompahgrewatershed.org/event/5th-annual-love-your-gorge/

The city’s annual 4th of July parade will begin at 10 a.m along Main Street. Montrose Rotary Amphitheater in Cerise Park where a food truck village and beer garden will open at 4 p.m. followed by a concert featuring Falconaires Air Force Academy Band at 5 p.m. 

Later in the night, the winner of this year's The Voice, Girl Named Tom, will perform. Both of these concerts are free! Once it's dark, there will of course be fireworks as well. 

Are you excited for the festivities? Do you think you'll attend this year?

As part of The Forum Montrose's ongoing speaker series, several local organizations will be speaking about biking, dirt biking and driving ATVs and off-highway vehicles near Montrose. 

The event will take place from 8 - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25 at Colorado Mesa's Montrose campus. 

What do you want to know about biking and offroading trails locally? Have you been before?