About Us
We believe in empowering and educating our members
About Colorado Freeriders
We are a local Colorado Group focused on sharing experiences
As a nonprofit organization, Colorado Freeriders is dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of public lands, committed to protecting and expanding access for all outdoor enthusiasts. We achieve this by empowering our members with education, fostering collaboration with local stakeholders, and advocating for policies that support sustainable recreation. By promoting accountability and actively engaging in the administrative processes that shape our public lands, we work to ensure a lasting, enjoyable outdoor experience for everyone.
Meet Our Board Members
The Colorado Freeriders Board Members
Learn a little bit more about our leadership and their
Scott Griffith is Colorado native, born and raised in the mountains of our beautiful state. He’s extremely fortunate to have been raised on power sports of all kinds. He started riding snowmobiles at the age of 3, then his first dirt bike at the age of 5. He grew up racing dirt bikes but after a horrific accident where he broke multiple ribs, dislocated both shoulders and cracked his C1 vertebrae, stopped competing and started focusing on backcountry exploration. He has spent countless miles exploring all over Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and other surrounding areas and calls the backcountry home.
Scott found his professional passion in firefighting and has been a firefighter since 2003. His career has sent him all over the United States and even around the world. He works for two local fire departments, one as a Firefighter Paramedic and the other as an EMS lieutenant. He is a National and State certified Paramedic with all advanced and basic life support certifications, not to mention many firefighter certifications ranging from structural to Wildland to hazmat specialist. He is a certified CPR instructor. When he is not at the firehouse or exploring the backcountry, he is at home with his Wife and cat and is usually working on his small business, FireGradeGoods where he does custom Leather goods for firefighters, creating stickers and custom apparel.
His passion for exploration has launched him into a world of backcountry education and safety and strives to keep our lands open and free. His oath is to always protect our sports and support our members.
As a Colorado native with a deep-rooted passion for the great outdoors, Justin has always found solace and joy in the beauty of nature. Whether it’s hiking through rugged trails, carving slopes on skis or a snowboard, or cruising the deep powder on a snowmobile, the thrill of adventure is a family affair. He cherishes sharing these experiences with his young boys and beautiful wife, fostering in them, a love and respect for nature. Justin first developed interest in snowmobiling when he was in high school, through a family friend and neighbor who owned sleds. Not long after, he was working summer jobs to purchase his first sleds of his own. As they say, “the rest was history”.
In addition to his outdoor pursuits, Justin brings the same dedication and passion to the realm of real estate. As a second-generation REALTOR® with over 13 years of experience, he finds immense fulfillment in helping his clients navigate the journey of finding their perfect home. Whether it’s a cozy starter house, a spacious family home, or the ultimate dream home, he is committed to making his clients’ real estate dreams a reality.
Justin is known for his unwavering dedication, authenticity, and tireless work ethic. Over the years, he has built a reputation for educating his clients, providing valuable resources beyond the transaction, and advocating for their best interests. Through these organic and naturally deep relationships, his clients become more than business partners; they become an extension of his family. He is dedicated to exceeding expectations, ensuring they feel supported, respected, and excited throughout every step of the home buying or selling process.
Certainly not least, Justin holds commitment to community service very close to his heart and it is reflected in his roles as previous Vice President for a local nonprofit in Douglas County and as Vice Presidency and co-founder of The Colorado Freeriders. Additionally, he volunteers as a firefighter, embodying the values of service and community that he holds dear. Join us in our snowmobiling adventures and become part of our extended family!
Chad MacDonald grew up in upstate New York where his passion for the outdoors truly blossomed. His first experience on a snowmobile was at 5 years old going to pancake breakfasts with the local snowmobile club his parents belonged to. The breakfast events were run by the club and served the purpose of fundraising to support local charities as well as funding for trail maintenance. Chad remembers many days of riding on the back or being pulled on an old wooden toboggan with his three older sisters. His enthusiasm for the outdoors only grew from there.
Chad joined the Air Force immediately after graduating high school. After completing boot camp and technical school in 1989, he received his orders for Lowry Air Force Base in the Civil Engineering Department here in Denver. He was deployed overseas for Operation Desert Storm. After completing his 4 years, his love for Colorado helped him make the decision to stay. While serving, Chad still managed to stay in touch with the activities he enjoyed so much from his childhood. All while fulfilling his commitment to his country, Chad worked to flip and sell used cars so he could buy snowmobiles and dirt bikes to enjoy all that Colorado had to offer him. His first snowmobile purchase was in 1991 and that’s when the fun really started! Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains and the abundance of snow provided a calming reset for Chad. He really enjoys exploring the backcountry.
Chad carried on the tradition with his own daughter and put her on her first machine at the young age of 5, just like him. He has enjoyed watching her grow up and follow in his footsteps by developing a love for the great outdoors.
Since leaving the Air Force in 1994, Chad has been an entrepreneur in many industries. He found his place in the used auto industry and opened his own dealership. He has spent a lot of his time and energy to ensure he is running an honest and trustworthy business. Chad is dedicated wholeheartedly to everything he does. He wants nothing but the best for his family, his employees, and his customers. Chad has built strong relationships with others in the industry and a reputation for himself as a person but also as a business owner.
Brian, originally from Florida, moved to Colorado with his wife six years ago. He’s an avid motorsports enthusiast with a passion for everything from dirt bikes and jet skis to road racing and side-by-sides. His love for motorsports began with an old Honda XR75 and grew through years of street riding and racing at both club and pro levels.
After moving to Colorado, Brian was captivated by the trails, mountains, and the welcoming community. Inspired, he founded Singletrack Squids—a group that has since become a thriving resource for riders to make connections, explore new areas, improve their skills, and share their experiences. Today, Singletrack Squids boasts a membership of over 3,000 riders from around the world, growing each week.
When he’s not riding, Brian enjoys traveling with his family and running his photography company. He’s proud to have partnered with Colorado Freeriders, a nonprofit dedicated to the riding community, and warmly invites everyone to join in and ride with them!
From the sun-drenched slopes of Lake Tahoe, California, Cali Vail’s journey into the outdoors began before he could even stand on his own. His parents, Mike Vail—a pioneer of modern skydiving and a founding member of the Red Bull Air Force—and Dr. Amy Vail instilled in him a love for adventure from a young age. Even as a toddler, they encouraged his adventurous spirit, using a kiddie leash to keep him safe as he sledded and played in the snow, setting the stage for a life of outdoor exploration.
Cali grew up riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles. At just four years old, he got his first dirt bike, a Yamaha PW50, followed by a Ski-Doo MXZ120 snowmobile at age five—and he immediately fell in love with the thrill of motorsports.
Cali was deeply involved in athletics throughout elementary, middle, and high school. From ages three to 12, he was a full-time member of the Squaw Valley Mighty Mites and the Big Mountain ski teams. At 12, he switched gears and joined the Full-Time Snowboard Team at Squaw Valley USA, where he became the youngest member of the competitive team.
In high school, Cali competed on the varsity baseball, football, and snowboard teams all four years. His competitive spirit also led him to the State Championship for snowboarding each year of high school.
When he wasn’t competing in school sports, Cali’s diverse interests led him to spend countless hours waterskiing, dirt biking, and snowmobiling across the western United States. His passion for adventure was matched only by his academic dedication—he took on the challenge of 10 AP classes in high school, showcasing his multifaceted personality and commitment to both physical and intellectual pursuits.
After graduating high school in 2020, Cali spent four years in Bozeman, Montana, embracing the ski-bum lifestyle and exploring the vast outdoor playground of the Rockies while studying at Montana State. He has since relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he is completing his college degree while continuing to chase every adventure possible. Whether skiing, mountain biking, dirt biking, or snowmobiling, you’ll always find him outside pushing the limits.
Cali is equally dedicated to giving back to the causes he believes in.
Growing up, he fundraised for several non-profits and raised over $25,000 for Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC).
He currently serves as the Marketing Coordinator for a non-profit that organizes the Creativity and Madness conferences for continuing education. His experience in marketing and communications brings valuable insight to non-profit initiatives, where he combines strategy with passion to make a difference.
His commitment to supporting impactful organizations continues through his work with The Colorado Freeriders, where he helps promote safety, advocacy, and education in the backcountry community.
Ryan comes from a vast motorsports background, but he found one passion he never knew he was missing—snowmobiling. With a background in firefighting, safety, knowledge, and awareness have always been key priorities for him when riding in the backcountry. While he has only been riding in the snow for a short time, he gains experience and confidence every time he goes out. Ryan truly enjoys experiencing the mountains, building friendships, having fun, and learning from everyone he meets along the way.
Growing up camping and fishing in Spokane, WA, he always loved being outdoors. After moving to Colorado as a kid in 1998, he jumped into motocross a few years later and instantly fell in love. Unfortunately, some bad wrecks pulled him away from the sport. He then transitioned into trail riding, stand-up jet skis, speed boats, and riding Harleys—one of his favorite pastimes, second only to his race car. As the old saying goes, “With age comes a cage,” and about seven years ago, he embraced that philosophy by stepping into sprint car racing. He started with mini sprints, which eventually led to racing an ASCS sprint car—a true passion of his. While racing is a time-consuming devotion, Ryan enjoys the downtime in the winter, throwing a leg over his sled and spending time with great people.
Professionally, Ryan stepped into the trucking industry 10 years ago. Whether in the backcountry or the racing world, his commitment is always to having fun while ensuring everyone gets home safely. He looks forward to meeting more members, experiencing the incredible mountains and terrain, and sharing adventures with all of you at Colorado Freeriders!
Do You want to join The Colorado Freeriders
Joining the Colorado Freeriders means becoming part of a proactive community dedicated to preserving and enhancing public lands for all outdoor enthusiasts. With us, you’ll gain access to valuable resources, collaborate on impactful initiatives, and help shape the future of recreational access and enjoyment.
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Get in touch with us to join the Colorado Freeriders and make a learn more about our outdoor recreational club. We’re eager to welcome new members who share our passion for preserving and enhancing outdoor experiences.
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- 545 3RD St, Suite 3331 Monument, CO 80132