parks
VVMTA’s Adopt A Trail program celebrates ten years of community stewardship in Eagle County
By Kate Kampner kkampner@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
When Jamie Malin learned about what goes on behind the scenes to take care of a natural trail, he never saw them the same way and began dreaming of a way to bring a trail restoration program to the Vail Valley.
In 2016, Malin, alongside Lee Rimel, launched the Adopt A Trail Program through the...
Key takeaway In the beginning, 30 local volunteer teams cared for 30 trails across Eagle County.
Why this matters in Aspen News
As the Adopt A Trail program celebrates its tenth year, its impact resonates beyond Eagle County, with implications for neighboring Pitkin County, where Aspen is located. The success of this community-driven initiative in maintaining over 1,400 miles of trail serves as a model for other mountain communities, like Aspen, that contend with similar challenges in preserving public lands and trails. With the U.S. Forest Service facing budget constraints, the Adopt A Trail program demonstrates the value of community-led stewardship in filling the gap. As Aspen's own trails and public lands face threats from heavy use, erosion, and climate change, the Adopt A Trail program's emphasis on community engagement and education offers a valuable lesson for local stakeholders seeking to protect and preserve the area's natural resources. The program's growth and success may inspire similar initiatives in Pitkin County, fostering a stronger sense of community ownership and responsibility for the region's trails and public lands.
About this story
Original reporting by Vail Daily . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Vail Daily . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: Vail Daily ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Jamie Malin learned about what goes on behind the scenes to take care of a natural trail, he never saw them the same way and began dreaming of a way to bring a trail restoration program to the Vail Valley.
In 2016, Malin, alongside Lee Rimel, launched the Adopt A Trail Program through the...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by Vail Daily and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kate Kampner kkampner@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter