A new youth cycling development program has emerged in Cortez.

High Desert Devo first started its Thursday evening rides five weeks ago, but the program has already shown rapid growth.

Pete Eschallier, co-owner of Kokopelli Bike & Board, is one of many responsible for the organization’s quick rise.

But he’s quick to point out that putting the club together was a group effort, and that it is not affiliated with Kokopelli.

“I want to keep this separate from the bike shop,” he said. “I don’t want anybody thinking that we’re doing this to sell more bikes. The idea is to just get kids outside riding mountain bikes and having fun.”

Eschallier said that he and the other board members noticed the interest and participation in Durango’s Devo program and they were asked about putting something together in Cortez. Together, they started High Desert Devo.

While the non-profit group is still in its infancy, it’s started free group rides at Phil’s World every Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. and already has as many as 30 riders attending.

Riders range in age from 5-15 and are split into groups according to age or skill.

Parents are welcome to drop their kids off to ride with the coaches, or they can ride along with the group.