Routt County Community Resources

Welcome to the Routt County Rural Community Resources page. The content you will find on this page is intended to inform and educate the Routt County on developments and updates, key race information as we have it, and methods of communication to reach our team.

Developments and Updates

Since September 2023, the SBT GRVL team has dedicated our time and resources to listening and learning to feedback about the impacts of SBT GRVL to our rural community. Our time has been focused on calling rural community members, meeting with government officials and Routt County Stakeholders and hosting listening sessions. We have developed an action plan addressing the feedback that we have gathered and believe that the proposed changes will have a positive impact on everyone involved. 

  1. Financial Contribution to Routt County:

    SBT GRVL was founded on the principle of giving back to the local community, investing in the rider experience and investing in causes that we believe in. SBT GRVL has donated more than $12,000 to the Community Agriculture Alliance over the past 5 years. SBT GRVL has donated more than $100,000 to local Routt County non-profits since inception (Boys and Girls Club of NW Colorado, The Cycle Effect, Search and Rescue, Old Town Hot Springs and Routt County Riders).

    For the second year, we will be sponsoring the Hayden Fair with an ad in their flyer. As a new collaboration in 2024, we will be sponsoring the Steamboat Rodeo, and encouraging SBT GRVL riders to purchase tickets for the rodeo while they are in town via our social media channels and website.

    Finally, we have launched SBT GRVL monthly giveback days and will collaborate with the rural community on projects where the SBT GRVL team can volunteer our time to work with the community.

    A positive effect of the SBT GRVL riders who visit Routt County in August is the money they spend on lodging, restaurants, shops, local shuttle services and other local purchases. The estimated amount that SBT GRVL riders spend in Routt County is $5M each August. From this rider spending, Routt County has received approximately $50,000 annually from sales tax revenue. 

    SBT GRVL 2024 Action Plan

    The SBT GRVL team continues to focus our resources on rider stewardship and safety. We have launched SBT GRVL Oaths* that all riders agreed to prior to registering for the event. The SBT GRVL Oaths will be reiterated throughout the summer and in the leadup to the event weekend. The SBT GRVL Oath video, which has been communicated across all SBT GRVL channels can be viewed here:  https://www.sbtgrvl.com/2024-action-plan. Below is the SBT GRVL action plan that highlights changes to ensure a safe, fun and positive experience for the community and SBT GRVL riders.

    Rider Safety: 

    • The new SBT GRVL 2024 courses eliminate bi-directional traffic on all courses and utilize more rural roads to lessen traffic and resident conflicts

    • The new courses (pending approval from the Routt County Commissioners) have been selected based on the remote nature and the lower number of residents who live on the proposed roads

    • The start times have been consolidated to lessen the time that riders will be on CR 44

    • In addition to the safety marshals that already lead out the front of each race, SBT GRVL will hire Colorado State Patrol to lead and control the front group of cyclists. With an official police escort present, this will keep the riders safe and ensure the oncoming motorists are aware of the cyclists on the road.

    • SBT GRVL will increase the number of motorcycle marshals on every course to ensure safety for the riders and vehicles moving the opposite direction. They will also enforce rules of the road.

    • SBT GRVL will include Colorado State Patrol and Police to the safety meeting with our moto team with clear direction on rules of the road, which will be enforced by county officials.

    Messaging to the Routt County community:

    • SBT GRVL is increasing our year-round messaging to the local Routt County community.

      • The SBT GRVL team has been working closely with the GIS Manager for Routt County, Marcus Bodig. There are approximately 362 residents on our four courses.

    • We have and will continue to host quarterly listening and information sessions for the rural community to gather feedback and share important race changes/updates (we have hosted 2 listening sessions and met with public officials, and local stakeholders over the past 4 months)

    • The SBT GRVL Team has launched a Routt County Rural Residences section to the SBT GRVL website where we keep the local community up to date on courses, timelines and any relevant changes.

    • The SBT GRVL Team will increase the number of flyers distributed to on-course residents with information about the race and timing 

    • The SBT GRVL Team will mail postcards to on course residents 1 month prior to the event and two weeks prior to the event

    • The SBT GRVL Team will continue to send monthly email newsletters from May through August to local businesses with updates about the event

    • The SBT GRVL Team has provided a phone number and email address to our Community Relations Director for anyone to contact with concerns about the event 

    • We will have a banner across Lincoln Avenue the week of July 29 and are currently on the waitlist to have the banner up for the additional week of August 12. 

    • The SBT GRVL Team will work directly with Steamboat Radio with information about the event

    • The SBT GRVL Team will update the Steamboat Pilot Happenings with information about Public Sessions and key dates related to the event

    • The SBT GRVL Team has implemented a Command Center where riders and local residents may contact a member of the SBT GRVL team on race day to report safety or other issues.

    SBT GRVL Rider Accountability:

    • SBT GRVL has increased messaging to riders about expectations, accountability and repercussions

    • SBT GRVL will increase the on-course signage targeted at SBT GRVL riders to enhance rider awareness. The messaging builds on the Oaths (i.e. rules of the road, use of portalets, kindness and respect)

    • SBT GRVL will increase the number of portalets and trash receptacles on course. 

    • SBT GRVL will continue to communicate The SBT GRVL Oaths throughout the year, across all channels (email, social media, registration platform, Rider Guide, Rider Meeting, Packet Pickup, course signage)

    • SBT GRVL has created a welcome video enforcing Oaths* - this video will be featured in email and social campaigns throughout the year and and during race weekend

    • We will enforce the Oaths with our riders and anyone who is witnessed disobeying the rules will have their race plate number recorded and will not be allowed to participate in SBT GRVL in the future

    SBT GRVL Oaths

    1. I will ride on the right side of the road and follow all traffic laws and Rules of the road. I understand that these are open, public roads and that there are others using the roads for work and/or commuting. I will respectfully share these roads with all other users.

    2. I will use portalets to relieve myself and acknowledge that going to the bathroom on private property or on the side of the road will not be tolerated

    3. I will purposefully practice kindness to others on and off the bike and understand that this event is inclusive of all types of riders, regardless of age, race, gender or ability.

We are planning to update this page frequently, so please visit back periodically for new information.

Key Race Information 

We are in the process of updating our race courses and will be sure to put that information here as soon as those details are confirmed.

How To Reach Our Team 

If you have concerns, questions, or would like to provide feedback to our team regarding how we can continue improving, please email Greer Van Dyck at greer@sbtgrvl.com or call her at 970.846.0617.