Colorado Trail Reroutes

Recent CT Reroutes

Reroutes to The Colorado Trail are common. Short reroutes are constructed nearly every season and lengthier route modifications every few years.

First connected end-to-end in 1987, the CTF and volunteers established the CT across the Colorado Rocky Mountains. As is common in trail development, some sections followed the 'path of least resistance.' For example, the original alignment followed some Forest and jeep roads as well as older trails established by miners and cowboys. A goal was set to improve the Trail route each year, moving away from roads and rerouting steep, unsustainable sections.

While only a part of the volunteer trail-maintenance effort, reroutes established over the years have greatly improved The Colorado Trail. There are fewer 'road' miles now and more gentle-grade tread.

A consequence of these reroutes is that old guidebooks no longer describe the current Trail route. It is helpful for CT users to know this. Most users will be best served by acquiring the latest edition of each: Guidebook, Databook and Map Book.

Here are just some of the RECENT CT REROUTES:

We recently added 80 miles of trail to the CT, Collegiate West. To read more about Collegiate West, click here.

In coming years, the CTF, USFS and others will be working to reroute the Collegiate West and other pieces of The Colorado Trail off roads. During this time, we will do our best to keep trail users informed of any reroutes that are not yet included in the trail guides. Please check back periodically for updates.