Eagle County residents heading into White River National Forest may encounter survey workers asking about their visit. The questions are part of a Forest Service effort to understand how people use the forest and how satisfied they are with their experience.
According to the Forest Service’s September 30 announcement, the survey period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
Where You May Encounter Survey Workers
Contract employees will conduct surveys at developed and dispersed recreation sites and along Forest Service roads. The agency says workers will wear bright orange vests and be near signs reading “Traffic Survey Ahead.” Survey work will take place in different weather conditions throughout the year.
The announcement covers the forest as a whole. It does not identify specific Eagle County survey locations or provide a schedule for individual recreation sites.
What They May Ask
The questions focus on your outing and your experience with the forest’s facilities and services. Topics may include:
- The places where you spent time recreating.
- The number of people traveling with you.
- The length of your visit.
- Other recreation sites you visited during the trip.
- Your satisfaction with the facilities and services you used.
About one-third of participants will also be asked to complete a confidential survey about recreation spending during their trip. The Forest Service says those answers help measure the economic impact on nearby communities.
Why the Forest Service Is Asking
The effort is part of the National Visitor Use Monitoring program. The agency uses it to estimate recreation visitation, identify the activities people participate in, and assess visitor satisfaction. Each national forest is surveyed on a five-year cycle.
For residents who spend time in White River National Forest, the survey offers an opportunity to describe their own experience, including what worked well and what could be improved. The Forest Service encourages visitors to participate.
For the announcement and additional information, see the official White River National Forest survey notice.
Image credit: Illustrative Colorado mountain landscape; location listed as Leadville on Pexels. Not a confirmed White River National Forest survey location. Photo: Alfo Medeiros / Pexels.
