Annual Meeting Thank You
It was great to see all of our COMBA members and friends out at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden last Thursday. Without your support and volunteer effort COMBA would not have achieved nearly as much in 2009.
We are also looking forward to the continued successes of COMBA for 2010 with all the current projects such as the Buffalo Creek Black Diamond Trail, the creation of the Golden Bike Park and the Ambassador program just to name a few.
Get Involved
President's Quarterly UpdateWith just one day left in the year---and my term as president of COMBA---I wanted to briefly reflect on 2009 and the progress we made together... We (the Board of Directors) started this year with a clear vision-- to make COMBA more relevant to the local MTB scene and raise awareness, not just about our organization, but about the need for it. I think we've succeeded in our mission. |
We are extremely excited to announce that Bikes Belong --the U.S. bicycle industry organization dedicated to putting more people on bicycles more often-- has awarded a $10,000 grant to COMBA for the further pursuit of our urban bike park project proposed for the City of Golden!
COMBA is now an official Chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). We have long been an "affiliate," along with hundreds of other clubs across the nation. However, we are pleased to have been selected as one of only a handful of clubs to participate in the launch of a new Chapter program which IMBA will be rolling out in coming years.
Win one before you can buy one!
Thanks to the generosity of Entropy Bikeworks, COMBA is pleased to offer you the first chance to get this sweet new 29'er frame and fork!
October 23, 2009
Ms. Colleen Gadd
Mr. Don Klima
Jefferson County Open Space
700 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 100
Golden, CO 80401-6018
Dear Ms. Gadd and Mr. Klima:
Join us Wednesday, Oct. 7th, at 7pm, for a special IMBA/COMBA Movie Night Fundraiser down at the REI Flagship store in Denver. Freedom Riders is the story of a small core group of riders who evolved from covertly building rough and unsustainable trails to creating a precedent-setting relationship with National Forest Service and crafting some of the best freeride trails in the country. Tickets: $5 at the door. Doors open at 6pm. Proceeds benefit the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Colorado Mountain Biking Association (COMBA).
COMBA would like to express our thanks to the approximately 400 mountain bikers who attended last night's meeting of the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Commission regarding Apex Park. It was truly one of the finest hours for Front Range mountain bikers. You should all be tremendously proud.
Everyone carried themselves with respect and class, sending a clear message to Jefferson County officials: Mountain bikers are an important constituency that cannot and should not be ignored. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you plan on attending the OSAC meeting tonight, please read the link below. Join COMBA for a pre-meeting rally at 5 PM. Please meet and park at Apex and then proceed to Wrigly's (18200 W Colfax Ave, Golden, CO) where we can eat, talk, and plan before heading by bicycle to the JCOS offices. Feel free to arrive at anytime after 5, there will be someone at Apex to direct you to Wrigley's. The OSAC meeting is at 7 PM at the JCOS Administrative Offices, 700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO. Remember, voice your concerns, but be respectful.
What goes up, must come down -- riding downhill isn't just for downhillers!
{EDIT: please see our response to the 9/21/09 revised management plan}
On Sept. 3, 2009, Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) released its recommended, revised management plan for improving visitor experiences at Apex Park. The Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA) believes the plan needs substantial revision in order to be fair and equitable to mountain bikers. To that end, COMBA is actively engaging JCOS and hopes to reach a solution which benefits our cherished Open Space parks, land managers, and all park visitors.
The recommended Apex plan needs approval from the Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) on October 1st. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW to ensure that our voices are heard. Please help us encourage JCOS to seriously reconsider this plan by taking these simple steps:
- Attend the OSAC meeting on October 1, 2009 at 7pm where the management plan will be presented (700 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401)
- Call JCOS at 303-271-5925 to voice your concerns.
- Send your concerns to SaveApex@COMBA.org. Make sure to include your full name and the city you live in. Your comments will automatically be routed to appropriate JCOS management along with a copy to COMBA.
- Let your voice be heard through IMBA's Apex Action Alert
- Spread the word! Please make your friends, riding group and local bike shop aware of this serious situation and ask them to get involved.
- There is strength in numbers, please consider joining COMBA.
- Email volunteer@comba.org for other ways to help.
