The Public Landemic Project
Efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 have radically changed recreation and leisure landscape in Colorado. The pandemic caused ski resorts to close at the height of spring ski season. Climbing gyms and fitness centers closed their doors. Closures of businesses including breweries, bars, and restaurants, further limited Coloradoans’ options to recreate outside their homes.

On Wednesday March 25th, Colorado governor, Jared Polis, issued a shelter in place order that clamped down on activities outside the home to only necessary tasks, such as seeking medical care or purchasing food. The order was also reflective of Colorado’s outdoor identity, and explicitly included exercise among “essential” reasons to leave the house. While public lands have always been a vitally important part of Colorado's recreation landscape, the limitation in other options has led to a surge in recreation on public lands.

However, heavy public lands use during a pandemic also puts pressure on the land and the people who care for it. As our organization’s name indicates, we have a vested interest in public lands of all kinds, as well as in the people who use and care for them.

With that in mind, we want to hear from you if you’ve found yourself on public land since March 16th. What prompted you to check out an open space, natural area, state park, or tract of federal land? What did you see? How did it make you feel? How has it changed since the last time you visited? Share your story however you'd like.

As we continue to seek out connections with our public lands, we urge all land users to maintain social distance, be vigilant about washing or sanitizing their hands, and observe all limitations on and closures of public land. Local (Fort Collins, CO) guidance about how to use public lands safely during the pandemic can be found at https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19 or at https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus.

 Please note that your responses will be public, and the PLHC may share your responses with other entities interested in the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on public lands use. Identifying information will not be collected or shared, but please be respectful of one another's experiences anyway.

We appreciate your participation in the Public Landemic Project, and we're looking forward to hearing your stories.
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Please describe the conditions during your visit (weather, time of day, trail/road conditions, location(s) visited, wildlife, visitation levels, or other observations).
Please describe your experience (why you visited, activities you engaged in, who you were with, how your activity made you feel, whether you got what you wanted out of your visit, anything that surprised you, etc.)
Is there anything else that you would like to share about this public lands experience?
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