Revolutionizing Trail Management: How Outway Transformed Pitkin County's Ranger Operations

About Pitkin County

Pitkin County, known for its ski resorts, scenic backcountry huts, and hundreds of miles of trails, attracts millions of visitors yearly. The county's Open Space and Trails department manages this natural landscape, balancing high visitor traffic with conservation efforts. Rangers patrol trails, interact with visitors, and protect sensitive ecological areas. However, the rangers struggled with outdated tools and inefficient processes despite their importance, making their already challenging work even harder.

Challenges

Time-Consuming Data Entry

Rangers had to document every visitor interaction on paper, including citations and warnings. Somebody later entered into an outdated digital system. Each record required multiple entries across logs and spreadsheets, turning simple tasks into ones that could take up to an hour.

Outdated and Offline Tools

The tools available to the rangers did not work offline, which created problems in remote areas with no internet access. Pitkin County faces complicated land ownership issues. The Forest Service land, state parks, and private property often overlap, making it difficult for rangers to tell if they are on public or private land.

Lack of Coordination and Reporting

Rangers didn't have a centralized system for sharing data or communicating with office staff and supervisors. Providing accurate reports to the county board or advocating for needed resources was difficult. Without clear data, it was hard to justify requests for more staff, maintenance funding, or policy changes.

Solutions

Simplified Documentation with a Mobile App

Outway replaced paper logs and spreadsheets with a single, land manager-focused platform. Rangers can now log interactions, citations, and observations directly into the app while in the field, eliminating duplicate entries and saving significant time.

Offline Access and Land Boundary Information

The app's offline functionality allows rangers to access vital information, such as property boundaries and land designations, even in remote areas without internet access. Now, they can confidently enforce rules, knowing whether they are on public or private property.

Improved Communication and Reporting

Outway automated data collection and reporting, making it easier for rangers to share information with office staff, supervisors, and the county board. Tracked patterns like increased e-bike usage allow rangers to make data-backed recommendations for policy changes and resource allocation.

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Impact

Outway's solution transformed Pitkin County's ranger operations, driving measurable improvements in efficiency and impact:

Conclusion

Outway completely changed the Pitkin County ranger team's operation. By reducing paperwork and inefficiencies, the app gave rangers more time to focus on protecting natural areas. Automated data collection and reporting also made it easier to advocate for resources and policy changes, such as staffing increases and additional funding.

The app also strengthened communication between teams and with outside partners, creating a seamless approach to land management. With these tools, Pitkin County's rangers are better equipped to balance conservation with the demands of a popular outdoor recreation destination. This success story shows how technology and data can revolutionize land management.