Trail Courtesy in Colorado: Ride with Respect

Ride Like a Local: Colorado Trail Etiquette Every Rider Should Know

At GLDN MTN, we believe that how you ride matters just as much as where you ride. Colorado is home to some of the most beautiful and challenging trails in the country, and with that comes the shared responsibility to treat those trails—and the people on them—with respect.

Whether you’re shredding a classic Front Range descent or grinding out miles in the high alpine, trail courtesy isn’t just polite—it’s part of our riding culture.

Here’s a breakdown of the official Colorado guidelines and a few golden rules we live by:

Yielding Rules: Know Who Has the Right of Way

Colorado follows the IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) Trail Etiquette, which sets the tone for multi-use trail sharing:

Bikers yield to hikers and horses

• Always slow down, make eye contact, and yield well in advance. If it’s a horse, dismount and give a wide berth—talking calmly so the animal knows you’re human helps.

Downhill yields to uphill

• Climbing is tough. Let uphill riders keep their momentum unless you’ve communicated otherwise and it’s safe to pass.

Use common sense and courtesy

• A simple “Rider back!” or “On your left!” goes a long way. Communicate, don’t dominate.

Stay on the Trail

Ride dirt, not around it. Cutting corners or going off-trail damages the ecosystem, widens trails unnecessarily, and leads to erosion. Respect seasonal closures and muddy conditions—if you’re leaving a rut, it’s too wet to ride.

Control Your Speed & Noise

Colorado trails are shared by families, dog walkers, runners, and horseback riders. Shred smart—ride in control, especially around blind corners and high-traffic zones. And keep your music in your ears, not blasting from your pack.

Leave No Trace

Pack it in, pack it out. That goes for your snack wrappers, tubes, and yes, even banana peels. Nature doesn’t need your compost. Be the rider who stops to pick up trash—not the one who leaves it.

Say Hey. Be Chill. Ride Again.

Trail courtesy isn’t about rules—it’s about community. A nod, a thank you, a friendly “howdy” are all part of the Colorado flow. Respect the land, respect each other, and we all keep the stoke alive.

GLDN MTN Stands for Respect

Our motto, Be Your Goat, means pushing your limits with grit and grace. Trail respect is core to that identity. So the next time you suit up in a GLDN jersey and clip in, remember: you’re not just riding a trail—you’re riding a legacy.