"The Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, through
cooperative efforts, seeks to conserve unique natural areas,
preserve historic & cultural sites, promote diverse recreation and
develop community business opportunities."
The magnificent Mosquito Range
was home to thousands of 19th Century miners living in makeshift
communities, working hundreds of gold and silver mines. Visible
clues to this colorful past still cling precariously to the steep
slopes above each valley. This rich heritage, along with the area's
remarkable natural and recreational resources, provided the impetus
for the Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative (MRHI).
Historic mining roads are being gated where
community residents biked and 4-wheeled for two generations. Mining
claims that once afforded hiking, camping and rock hounding
opportunities are now being fenced and posted. Parking and trail
access is more limited as new property owners become concerned about
trespassing, vandalism and liability. Historic mines are being
stripped of their weathered exteriors and period artifacts, without
regard to their significance or ownership. Other 19th Century
buildings are falling prey to neglect and the elements. Boot soles
and truck tires are churning up sensitive alpine meadows. These are
just a few of the issues facing miners, property owners, resource
managers and recreation clubs in the 21st Century throughout the
Mosquito Range.
The Alma Foundation, in partnership with Park County
and The Trust for Public Land, facilitated this Initiative to
address increasing land use conflicts and resource management
issues, and to create a plan that allows compatible development to
proceed in an orderly manner. In this spirit, MRHI has engaged a
cross-section of the community and other stakeholders to develop
non-regulatory strategies that will protect and enhance the most
significant attributes and opportunities of the Mosquito Range.
Through this public-private partnership we hope to
ensure that the legacy of this exceptional place is maintained for
another hundred years. We invite you to join us in this cooperative
effort to improve recreation access, preserve extant historic
structures, protect rare or sensitive natural areas, safeguard
private property rights, generate new economic opportunities, and
generally maintain the appeal of this outstanding area.
Regards,
Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative Stakeholders
