USDA National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) surveys in Arizona and Colorado National Forests

Beginning October 1, the public may encounter contract employees conducting public surveys on Coronado and Prescott National Forests in Arizona, and Routt and White River National Forests in Colorado. The surveys are conducted in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along forest service roads. Surveys will be conducted through September 30, 2027. 

The NVUM is a USDA National Forest Service program designed to estimate how many people actually recreate on national forests and grasslands, what activities they engage in while there, and how satisfied people were with their visit. These surveys are conducted on each national forest every five years. Contract employees will be out in all types of weather conditions, wearing bright yellow vests. You will see a sign that reads “NVUM Survey Site Ahead”. 

Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential; names are not included, and interviews last about 10 minutes. 

Questions asked include where you recreated on the forest; how many people traveled with you; how long you were on the forest; what other recreation sites you visited while on the forest, and how satisfied you are with the facilities and services provided. About a third of survey participants will be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip to measure the economic impact to local communities. 

About the Forest Service: For more than 100 years the USDA National Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. 

The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. Nationwide the agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. 

The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

For more Information about the National Visitor Use Monitoring program can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/nvum .