The city of Durango has decided not to implement a sub-10 mph speed limit on the Animas River Trail after hosting multiple focus group sessions and receiving feedback from residents.
Talks about whether or not to implement a 10 mph speed restriction had been ongoing since November. The proposal would have required people riding bikes, scooters, skateboards or other wheeled devices to slow to 10 mph or less when passing other trail users.
A city news release on Monday said 80 people applied to be part of the 10-person group – a record breaking number of applicants. The group met twice since the beginning of 2026, and during a May 5 City Council meeting, Klancy Nixon, community engagement specialist, said the group was against the speed limit – particularly anything under 15 mph.
“There was a strong consensus for better enforcement of existing regulations – especially off-leash dogs, unauthorized motor use and reckless behavior,” Nixon said. “This approach is preferred over creating new rules. That was a pretty strong opinion across all 10 or nearly all 10 of the focus group members.”
In November, residents said the speed restriction was too slow. And at an ensuing City Council meeting, trustees voted to postpone the decision, saying more information and community buy-in was needed.
The focus group was formed to determine the best way to keep the multiuse trail safe.
Members presented perspectives from pedestrians, cyclists, accessibility advocates and frequent trail users. They worked with staff from the Durango Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department and Multimodal Division.
Nixon said the group was particularly into the idea of painting center line striping on the Animas River Trail.
“There was near universal support (for a center line), particularly in those high-traffic areas as a low-cost, effective tool to organize user movement,” Nixon said.
The centerline would enhance the trail’s organization, reducing conflicts, she said. It would also aid in the enforceability of reckless behavior.
The release said city staff is moving forward on adding centerline striping in high-traffic areas along the trail, which it will use as a pilot to evaluate the lines’ effectiveness. Its installment align with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards, using a combination of dotted and solid striping depending on congestion and visibility.
“Parks and Recreation staff have identified funding in the current budget to proceed,” the release said.
DPD Cmdr. Devin Conroy said the priority for point law enforcement is spotting reckless behavior that could put other users in danger of injury on the trail.
The release said DPD’s open space rangers will expand their presence on the trail over the summer, as well as installing additional signage along the trail. The department will focus on educating users about responsible cycling, e-bike regulations, yielding behavior and off-leash dog enforcement.
“The department is also partnering with Durango School District to educate young riders,” the release said. “(Rangers will focus) on highly-used areas on the trail such as between Rotary Park and the Recreation Center during the students’ commute before, during lunch and after school.”