Fines and Community Service for violating closed Open Space in Boulder due to Fire

This message was post on the Boulder Trail Runners Yahoo Group.

I was in municipal court yesterday and a few people were ticketed for hiking/running on closed trails. They were all fined $250 and 16 hours community service. Seriously.

One woman pleaded that the signs were moved and tape was down and her fine was reduced a bit....but barely....$200. That same morning a person was ticked for urinating in public off the downtown mall and was fined $100 with no community service. Says a bit about city council's values.....

The closure affects major climbing areas like Fern Canyon and the Maiden which are a ways from the burn area. Fern Canyon could be opened to the saddle below Nebel Horn. It will be left in place for months unless Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks hear from people asking for a modification to allow climbing in Fern Canyon. Here is the main phone number where comments requesting a modification can be left, 303-441-3440. Online comments can be submitted here, bouldercolorado.gov/index.p…

Flood the zone!

I don't know if we should make a climbing based push here. I feel like climbing in the Flats should remain off the radar as much as possible as there are a lot of haters out there.

Be patient, the hikers and trail runners won't remain complacent about their lack of access for much longer.

I hope I'm not asking a stupid question here, but is there perhaps a good reason for the post-burn closure? Perhaps for safety or environmental reasons?

Em Cos wrote:I hope I'm not asking a stupid question here, but is there perhaps a good reason for the post-burn closure? Perhaps for safety or environmental reasons?

Most of the time the justification is partially burned trees that may fall over at any time. Also usually the erosion is high after fires in Colorado so that may lead to closures so that impact stays somewhat minimal.

However I am not sure what may be impacting this area as I have not seen it post-burn.

There are good reasons for closing the burn areas most of which are west of the Bear Peak Ridge. But Fern Canyon, The Maiden, Seal Rock and everything West of the Mesa Trail but below the ridge crest are well out of the burn area. The closure is too broad and common sense would allow modifications to permit climbing.

Online comments here can be submitted here.
bouldercolorado.gov/index.p…