NOVEMBER 18, 2024|
Photo – Wyoming State Trails Program logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The manager of the Wyoming State Trails Program reached out to Bigfoot 99 and defended his organization against statements made last week by county officials.
On Thursday, November 14th, Bigfoot99 reported that the Carbon County Treasurer’s Office will no longer sell Wyoming State Trails Program off-road vehicle and snowmobile permit stickers. At the November 12th Board of County Commissioners meeting, Treasurer Lindsey West said that beginning on January 1st, all ORV and snowmobile stickers must be purchased through the organization’s website, with local vendors simply acting as pick up locations for the permits.
State program manager Forrest Kamminga heard our story and called to dispute the statements made by Treasurer West. Kamminga acknowledged that his organization has switched to an online permit sticker sales platform. However, the program manager said authorized dealers are still able to sell physical permit stickers, which Bigfoot 99 reported.
Additionally, Kamminga said customers may purchase stickers online and have them shipped either to any authorized dealer or directly to their homes.
The permit decals cost $15 for off-road vehicles and $35 for snowmobiles. Kamminga explained that the money is used for trail maintenance and education programs.
Kamminga said the Wyoming State Trails Program generates approximately $2.1 million from ORV and $2.4 million from snowmobile permit stickers sales annually.
During last week’s county commissioner meeting, Treasurer West said her office receives $1 for every physical sticker sold. Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones said she is willing to reconsider selling ORV and snowmobile permits if the Wyoming State Trails Program offers more money to repair the county’s roads and trails.
Program Manager Kamminga disagreed with Chairwoman Jones’s comment. Kamminga said the Wyoming State Trails Program does offer grant funding for road repairs, among other trail-related projects.
The grant program has stipulations, however. Kamminga explained that roads cannot be paved and must be used specifically by off-road vehicles.
Kamminga said his organization is in talks with county officials to have Carbon County join the State Trails grant program, but a contract has yet to be signed.
Bigfoot99 asked Kamminga why he believes Treasurer West has chosen to stop selling ORV and snowmobile stickers, given that permits can still be purchased from physical dealers. The State Trails Program Manager suggested that the treasurer may have misinterpreted his notice about the transition to online sales. Kamminga also acknowledged that the organization’s website can be difficult to navigate.
The county treasurer’s decision to stop selling Wyoming State Trails Program stickers leaves the city of Rawlins without an authorized permit dealer. Kamminga encouraged companies to partner with his organization to sell permit stickers.
Although dealers earn just $1 per sticker, the program manager said the increased foot traffic may benefit their businesses.
For more information about ORV and snowmobile stickers or to become an authorized permit dealer, called the Wyoming State Trails Program office in Lander at 335-8229.
