Guffey Gorge a.k.a. Paradise Cove

Guffey Gorge, is a small swimming hole located on BLM managed lands in Park County outside of Guffey, Colorado and 2 hours from Colorado Springs and Denver.

It is located approximately 12 miles east of Guffey, Colorado off of Park County Road 102 near the Park/Teller County Line. The site is 1 mile from

the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway.

Annual Visitation over 5 years

Annual visitation is tracked using a traffic counter along the entrance trail.

Visitor use peaks between May and September.

Guffey Gorge receives up to 400 visitors/day in the hot

summer months. The secret is out and the area received

approximately 38,000 visitors in 2016.

Management Concerns:

Problem Solution Human Impacts and loss of Add road base to surface- TBD vegetation in north parking area. Improve design- TBD Toilet facilities inadequate for Vault toilet installed October 2016 amount of use. Increase in trash piled at site. No trash service until 2015, 2 dumpsters provided in 2016. Social scene is a party atmosphere. Supplementary rules to be published in Federal Register Notice soon include alcohol ban, no amplified music and parking restricted to designated area. Trail is eroding. Improve trail as fee revenue builds.

Initial cost of site improvements Park County Land and Water Trust provided grant funding for ½ estimated cost, BLM funds other half. Operating cost increasing as All amenities have to be in place before facilities are added. a fee can be charged. Fee proposal is in process to be published in Federal Register Notice soon with fee beginning 6 months from publish date if no issues are presented to BLM.

Funding for site

CXT Single Vault Toilet $39,900

Bear Proof Trash Receptacle $1,200

Parking area 130’ X 200’ $66,816

Fund administration $200

Total $108,116

Estimated cost of site improvements and paid by BLM Item Cost

Cadastral Survey $10,000

Engineering coordination $7,000

Kiosk, entry sign, fee collection tube $4,500

Picnic Tables X 3 $8,000

Total $22,500

Estimate presented to Park County LWTF

Grant approved by Park County BOCC in the amount of $54,000

Estimated Actual BLM paid

LWTF paid

CXT Single Vault Toilet

$39,900 $42,591.08 (Double vault)

$21,295.54 $21,295.54 (Invoice sent)

Bear Proof Trash Receptacle

$1,200 Note 1 n/a n/a

Parking area 130’ X 200’

$66,816 Note 2

Fund administration

$200 $200 $200

Total $108,116 $21,495.54

$21,295.54

Notes 1: Trash receptacle will be provided by the disposal company. 2: Park County Road and Bridge estimate is $8,072.46 for the parking area, rock placement and egress work.

Moving forward:

Education: August 2017