Government shutdown impacts recreation in the San Juan Mountains

DURANGO, Colo. — When the federal government shut down Oct. 1, the impact quickly rippled through southwest Colorado’s public lands.

The San Juan Mountains Association, a Durango-based nonprofit that partners with federal agencies, placed six employees on unpaid leave and closed 10 retail stores across the region.

“Our team was effectively placed on unpaid leave alongside federal agency staff,” said Stephanie Weber, the association’s executive director. “The difference is, as a contractor, we don’t get back pay.”

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. It has already become one of the longest shutdowns in history and has “no end in sight,” according to The New York Times. In Colorado, the shutdown has affected national forests, public lands and recreational sites, delaying services such as trail maintenance, visitor information, and safety updates. Federal employees are furloughed without pay, and contractors like the San Juan Mountains Association have also been forced to halt certain operations.

The association serves as a partner for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, helping to answer calls, guide visitors and operate bookstores in public land offices across southwest Colorado. When those offices closed, so did the desks staffed by association employees.

In September, Rocky Mountain PBS profiled some of the association's staff as they cleared fallen trees with a handsaw, reported larger obstacles to the Forest Service, dug drainage channels to fight erosion.

“Part of what I love about this job is the impact I’m making on these mountains,” John Mashburn, a seasonal trail ambassador, said last month. “When you see 700 people a day, that’s a lot of people, and having me educate these people on how to recreate in a sustainable way makes me feel good about my job.”

Weber said many people don’t realize how much federal agencies rely on nonprofit partners like hers to help run visitor centers and outreach programs. The model, she added, allows public lands to operate more efficiently and with fewer costs to taxpayers.

The association employs 22 people year-round. Most seasonal workers had already wrapped up before the shutdown, but six full-time staff lost their income overnight. The closures also halted retail sales that help fund conservation and education programs.

The loss of those six front-line employees has also left a noticeable gap for visitors. Without staff in offices to answer calls or greet travelers, hikers and hunters have fewer reliable sources for information on trail conditions, road closures and safety updates. 

The government shutdown has disrupted communication about trail and road conditions following recent flooding. With limited federal staffing, Weber said updates about closures and safety conditions have been slow to reach the public. The association has tried to fill the gap by posting information on its own website.

“It really is a safety issue,” Weber said. “Without those communication channels, people are at risk.”

Maintenance issues have also emerged. Vault toilets on many trails are locked due to lack of service, meaning recreators are now responsible for packing out their own waste.

Federal funding once made up about 70% of the association’s budget. Today, it’s closer to 35%, Weber said, with the rest supported by private donations, grants and state funding. Those gifts have helped the nonprofit keep other staff members paid for now, but she worries about the long-term impact if the shutdown drags on.

“They have a job waiting the minute we reopen,” Weber said. “But if there’s no opening, there’s no job.”

Still, the association is finding ways to stay connected with the public. One employee will staff a pop-up information booth at Colorado Parks and Wildlife during hunting season, offering maps and outdoor guides while federal offices remain closed.