20 Years of Colorado Mtn. Bike Trailblazing Recognition At Interbike Tradeshow.
Congratulations are in order as the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) induction to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame at the international Interbike Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6pm. COPMOBA is one of five organizations to have ever been bestowed with this honor. And they are the only trail advocacy group from the United States.
COPMOBA board members, volunteers and supporters are in Las Vegas for the induction, ceremony and celebration. This would have been a great year, and COPMOBA members would have been tickled just to be celebrating their 20th Anniversary as well managed organization looking out for the interests of mountain bike trails and issues in Colorado, but the Hall of Fame induction makes 2009 a capstone year.
Founding COPMOBA member and former board president Bill Harris states, “To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement! It is exceedingly rewarding to see that other mountain bikers recognize the significance of what COPMOBA has done over the past 20 years.” Among countless accomplishments, Harris founded the Tabeguache Trail System (within which the popular Lunch Loop system resides). He is a guide book author, organizes the annual Dry Creek Challenge and Tour de Gold rides, and served as the Colorado State representative for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
COPMOBA has been a leader in the development of innovative mountain bike trails. Notable ‘first’ trails include the first interstate bike trail, Kokopelli’s Trail, the world’s first interpretive mountain bike trail, Rustler’s Loop, the first BLM-sanctioned ‘freeride’ trail, Free Lunch, and the 345-mile Grand Loop connecting the Kokopelli’s, Tabeguache and Paradox trail systems. COPMOBA has advocated for, designed, built and maintained more than 1500 miles in more than 75 trails in the region through its trail advocacy and trail development program, and our trails have been recognized as some of the best in the country. 
“Bill has forgotten more about the world of mountain biking than many of us will ever know,” said COPMOBA president, Chris Muhr. “Certainly there are those people over the years who have been vital to the success of the organization whether by the trails they’ve built or the causes they’ve championed, this is for all of us. Anyone who’s helped build a trail, supported the organization with donations, or been an ambassador for the sport and the trails – this is for us. Many have never asked for anything in return other than a cold beer at the end of a trail building day, I am now happy to say we’ve all been recognized as part of one of the best organizations in mountain biking,” said Muhr.
An excerpt from the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame website states, “COPMOBA’s effectiveness can be attributed to a collaborative, common sense approach towards trail development. Maintaining a respectful, professional relationship with land managers paved the way for trail projects. Construction of sustainable trails followed up by maintaining those trails demonstrated public land stewardship. Support for mountain bike ethics and responsible riding built trust and respect. COPMOBA’s approach has been emulated and expanded upon by advocacy groups throughout the country. COPMOBA is a true pioneer in the realm of mountain bike trail development and advocacy, and has earned a place in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.”
As a leading primier outdoor apparel company who believes in COPMOBA, Mountain Khakis has been a COPMOBA sponsor and supporter since 2007 by outfitting their trail-building volunteers with MK’s, and providing raffle items and discounts for members and volunteers. “These are the grassroots visionaries and good stewards of our trails… they’re the folks donating time and energy to attend countless meetings with land agencies, and layout and build sustainable trail for others to enjoy” said Jen Taylor, PR Manager for Mountain Khakis. “Hats off to COPMOBA… MK is proud to support them. They deserve to be recognized for their tireless trail advocacy efforts and successes over the past 20 years.”
You can learn more about COPMOBA and reach out to them with your congratulations at www.copmoba.org ; e-mail to coordinator@copmoba.org or follow COPMOBAon Facebook.