Temporary toilets keep public lands cleaner
Nearly 30 portable toilets have been placed at busy trailheads and popular recreation areas over the past two summers as part of a Chaffee Recreation Council “Keep it Clean” initiative to manage growing recreation. The program is paid for by the Chaffee Common Ground Fund.
Projects supplying the restrooms are managed by the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA), Salida Mountain Trails and Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition. Public land agency staff recommended high-traffic areas for the privy sites where human waste has been prevalent.
The Chaffee County Visitors Bureau has provided advertising on the loos to promote educational messages to visitors at the high-use areas. Messages focus on campfire safety and other Leave No Trace-style ethics.
Portable toilets address an immediate need as outdoor visitation grows while providing time to pursue funding for permanent vault toilets. They support a clean environment and quality experiences for everyone.