A Program of the School Community Youth Collaborative (SCYC)

Montezuma Inspire Coalition (MIC) became an official Generation Wild community in 2018, thanks to a $1.8 million Great Outdoors Colorado GOCO grant. One of our goals was to break down barriers to outdoor access. That same year, SCYC’s Gear Lending Library (GLL) was launched through a partnership with the MIC and support from GOCO.

The GLL exists to make outdoor adventure accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or income. We believe that time outside shouldn’t be limited by cost or gear availability, so we provide gear for free to individuals, families, schools, and local programs throughout Montezuma County.

Whether you’re:

• A family planning a camping trip,
• A student exploring the outdoors with your school,
• A teacher leading a field day,
• Or a community member trying a new activity—

The Gear Lending Library is for you.

There’s no cost, no membership, — just a desire to get outside! We do require a $10 fully refundable deposit, which is returned as long as all gear is brought back clean, complete, and in proper working condition.

Our gear selection includes (but is not limited to):

• Camping: Tents, sleeping bag, headlamps, camp stoves, cook gear
• Water activities: Paddleboards, life jackets, inner tubes
• Winter fun: Cross-country skis, snowshoes, boots, gloves, hats
• Active play: Scooters, bikes, sports equipment

Need something not listed? Email us at gearlendinglibrary@scyclistens.org with your request. We love hearing what gear our community could use!

Borrowing is easy and free. We do require a $10 fully refundable deposit, which is returned as long as all gear is brought back clean, complete, and in proper working condition.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Visit our shop page: explore available gear
2. Select your gear: add gear to your cart (you can check out more than one thing at once)
3. Select your date for pick-up: Gear reservations can start/end on either a Monday or a Thursday. (June, July, August pick-up times will be between 4-7PM; other times of the year, the time will vary)
4. During your pick-up: Sign liability form and provide refundable $10 deposit. Schedule a time for drop-off with our GLL staff
5. Enjoy the outdoors! Return items clean and in working condition

Summer Walk-In Hours (June, July & August):

• Mondays and Thursdays, 4:00–7:00 PM

Off Season Hours (September - May):

• Mondays and Thursdays, by appointment

Need help deciding what to borrow or how to use something? We’re happy to provide a quick orientation!

We also outfit local schools, youth groups, and community programs. Have a field trip or overnight adventure planned? We can provide enough gear for groups up to 20 people—reach out to collaborate!

We’ve supported outdoor programming at local afterschool programs, recreation centers, and summer youth events. Our goal is to reduce financial and logistical hurdles so that outdoor education is within reach for every young person in Montezuma County.

The GLL regularly partners with MIC and other coalition members to support free community events, including festivals, family field days, and pop-up nature clubs.

If you're a community partner interested in collaborating, we’d love to hear from you!

The Gear Lending Library is located at:
The Cortez Recreation Center–near the tennis courts–brown shed

School Community Youth Collaborative

Montezuma County, Colorado

We operate out of our central office space, and meet people at the GLL by appointment– and serve all corners of the county—from Cortez and Dolores to Mancos, Towaoc, and beyond.

Contact Us:

email: gearlendinglibrary@scyclistens.org

Phone: 970-480-7293

Whether you’re gearing up for a solo hike, a family weekend, or an overnight youth trip—we’re here to help. The Gear Lending Library is about more than borrowing gear. It’s about creating access, empowering outdoor confidence, and connecting our community to nature.