The annual Colorado Trail Days celebration will still be held this year, even as much of the outdoors space in La Plata County is closed to the public.

“The mountain landscape and outdoor recreation is why many of us have chosen to live here, so the fire is really heartbreaking, but that’s why I think Colorado Trail Days is so important this year,” said organizer Margaret Hedderman.

The third annual event will be held from June 29 to July 1 and will include clinics, educational events and parties.

Hedderman said Trail Days was inspired by Backcountry Experience’s “Tent City” demo event. The outdoor-recreation business wanted to expand the event to include more product demos and clinics.

The closures of the San Juan National Forest, Bureau of Land Management and other open space give even more reason to hold the event and celebrate the natural places around Durango, Hedderman said.

“It provides an opportunity for people who share a passion for the outdoors to come together and celebrate this incredible place that we call home,” she said.

Colorado Trails Day Events Schedule

Colorado Trail Days will be held from June 29 to July 1. All events are free, except for the live music concert on July 1, which is $10 and includes one beer. Tickets can be purchased
online
or at the door. All proceeds from ticket and raffle ticket sales will benefit Trails 2000.
All events will be held at Backcountry Experience, 1205 Camino del Rio, except for the live music, which will be held at Rochester Hotel Secret Garden, 726 East Second Ave.
June 29
6 p.m.:
Trails 2000 volunteer appreciation barbecue
8 p.m.:
Outdoor movie screening of “Into the Wild”
June 30
9 a.m.:
Gear expo
9 a.m.:
Intro to bike packing
10 a.m.:
Leave No Trace Awareness
11 a.m.:
Backpacking advice seminar
2 p.m.:
Intro to outdoor photography
4:30 p.m.:
Live music with Still House Junkies at the Rochester Hotel
July 1
10 a.m.:
Intro to wilderness first aid
1 p.m.:
Map and compass basics
3 p.m.:
Build your own gear