CSAR’s educational goal is to 
eliminate the avoidable and minimize the unavoidable.

CSAR encourages people to get out and enjoy Colorado’s National Forests, National Parks, Parks and Open Spaces, trails, streams, and slopes. Along with enjoying them, we encourage you to acquire the tools and knowledge for accessing the backcountry as safely and responsibly as possible.

For the general public, CSAR partners with other outdoor entities to provide knowledge and educational opportunities so that your adventures into the backcountry are fun, thoughtful and safe. If you are considering getting out into the backcountry for whatever activity suits you, consider reviewing the related information below on Knowing Before you Go and Outdoor Stewardship.

Credit: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative staff

11 SAFETY TIPS FOR THE COLORADO BACKCOUNTRY – WITHOUT NEGATING THE FUN: Read through 11 Tips for safely accessing the backcountry at the beginning of the Spring and Summer seasons.

Credit: Out There Colorado/ Mountain Marrow

The Colorado Mountain Club connects thousands of adventure-loving mountaineers and teachers the skills to safely and respectfully maximize living in an outdoor playground. Visit Site and learn more.

The Cotrex mobile app is Colorado's official out door exploration app. View trails by allowed uses on the map, browse featured routes, download offline maps, record trips and notes in the field, complete challenges to earn badges, and share your experiences with the community. Visit site and learn more.

Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program providing videos and other tools for learning how to be safe and prepared for snow-sports in the backcountry. Visit site and learn more.

If you plan to head into the backcountry this winter, do so with safety in mind: Know before you go, recreate responsibly. Visit site and learn more.

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative protects and preserves the natural integrity of Colorado's 54 14,000 ft peaks, through active stewardship and public education. Visit site and learn more.

Colorado Outdoors features a wealth of how-to information to help you plan your next outdoor adventure. Visit site and learn more.

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center provides avalanche information, education and promotes research for the protection of life, property and the enhancement of the state's economy. Visit site and learn more.

Alpine Rescue Team is the Backcountry Search and Rescue team servicing Jefferson County, CO. They also provide public education opportunities. Visit site and learn more.

The AMGA is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit that is dedicated to supporting the American mountain guiding community. Their mission is to inspire and support a culture of American mountain craft. checkout their public tech videos or consider their mountaineering programs and guiding services. Visit Site and learn more.

Mountain Rescue Aspen is an all volunteer mountain rescue team serving Pitkin County. They are dedicated to saving lives through backcountry rescue and outdoor safety education. Visit site and learn more.

The MRA is a national organization of teams dedicated to saving lives through rescue and mountain safety education.  Visit site and learn more.

RMR is Boulder County's all-vollunteer backcountry search and rescue team. Visit the site and learn more. 

A Colorado partnership focused on people, land, access, conservation, ecosystems and sustainability. Visit site and learn more.

CPW works to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources. Visit site and learn more.

The National Park Service Preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Visit site and learn more.

The U.S. Forest Service works to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Visit site and learn more.

They commit to promoting the importance and stewardship of public and private lands and waters to support sustainable habitat conservation and responsible outdoor recreation. Visit site and learn more.

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. Visit site and learn more.

If you would like to look into volunteering for a backcountry search and rescue team, do a web search for the contact info of your local team, call your local sheriff’s non-emergency number or email us at contact@coloradosar.org.