Petition for Climbing Access in Mueller State Park - PLEASE POST!

Steven N wrote:how did the meeting go?

I updated the beginning of the thread but should have posted here at the end too (copied below). Haven't heard back yet from RD but will update this thread with the dates when I do.

UPDATE 7/5/11

I just got off the phone with RD Pascoe of the Access Fund. He spoke with an individual at the DOW who said the public presentation portion is actually to address items on the official agenda – not new items. He suggested that waiting to get on the official agenda would be a better approach... So we will not be going up to Denver on Thursday after all.

Thanks to all that offered to come up on such short notice and apologies if this screws up your schedules for this week. I will update you all with information concerning the upcoming DOW meeting once RD gets back with me and hopefully we'll have even more climbers able to attend.

Now that the DOW and the Parks have merged to create the Division of Parks and Wildlife they are seeking public input about the merger. If you are interested this would be a good time to drop them a line and let them know you'd like to see a climbing plan established for the Dome Rock Wildlife Area. Constructive input that shows how climbing can benefit the area is what we need (i.e. increased park revenues, climbers donating time for trail work, etc).

You may submit your input via email at: DPWPublic.Input@state.co.us OR by mail addressed to:
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
ATTN: Transition Team
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver, CO 80203

The deadline is July 29th. Please review the request for input document here dnr.state.co.us/SiteCollect… for specific instruction at the end explaining how to submit input.

The current merger plan can also be viewed at this web address dnr.state.co.us/DPW/Pages/P…

sign me up!

I know it's been 3 1/2 years, but what the hell happened??

I climbed here in the eighties. It was news to me that it was closed. It is a worthy cause to reestablish access to these awesome domes!

I stayed in touch with the access fund for a year or so following this but unfortunately no real progress was made and communication fizzled. Unfortunately at this point in my life I cannot dedicate time to this, but it would be great if someone would pick this back up.

Stewart M. Green above pretty much dials it - depending on exactly where the rock is located, the issue is who owns the policy and management:

Mueller State Park vs Dome Rock State Wildlife Area

As Stewart says, working out an a reasonable CMP for access when the seasonal closure is not in force would probably be a lot easier with the Parks than the Wildlife folks. If that were managed then everyone would have to play nice for a couple of years in the park to build trust before approaching Wildlife for the same.

Healyje wrote:Stewart M. Green above pretty much dials it - depending on exactly where the rock is located, the issue is who owns the policy and management: Mueller State Park vs Dome Rock State Wildlife Area As Stewart says, working out an a reasonable CMP for access when the seasonal closure is not in force would probably be a lot easier with the Parks than the Wildlife folks. If that were managed then everyone would have to play nice for a couple of years in the park to build trust before approaching Wildlife for the same.

That article is outdated. The state parks and the DOW merged in 2011 to form Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As I understand it this area is now being managed by the same entity that manages the park. cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pag….

The salient point isn't the agency merger, but rather the designation as a wildlife area which brings with it an entirely different set of laws, regulations and policies than a state park (and probably is managed by the wildlife side of the agency rather than parks). And while the agencies have merged, the WA designation has not changed and so Stewart's point about approaching the park side first and the wildlife side after establishing a relationship for a couple of years is as valid today as when he made it.

Yeah, the area is managed as a state wildlife area, not a state park like Mueller. My understanding still is that the powers will not budge on allowing climbing in the Dome Rock area since it is a critical bighorn sheep lambing area and teems with wildlife. Back when we used to climb there 25+ years ago, climbing was frowned on but not illegal. Now it is.

We have had this discussion at Pikes Peak Climber's Alliance meetings to try to find a way to have the area opened up for climbing on a part-time basis but right now there are more pressing local issues to deal with. There will be a public meeting for the PPCA at the city park's building, probably in early April, and we could certainly discuss what could be done and if we could involve the Access Fund to begin a dialogue with the state park and wildlife division. Check the PPCA Facebook page for exact meeting date and time once we decide on one...

Is the 'Dome Rock' that is associated with Mueller state park, southwest of the park not far from 'Teller County Rd 1'?
I ask cause after looking at the Dome Rock area from a google satellite image, there are houses all along the south, and there is even a road that leads to the base with a house along the way (38.819541, -105.238542).
From looking at the imagery, what makes this a sesitive wildlife area is the watershed (fourmile creek) that flows through it.

It would be interesting to determine how much of an impact climbing would actually produce if any to the area.....oh well.

Yes? Same as Derek W. No real reason to go but climbing.

I support this effort!

I’m definitely interested 

I live a mile away from Mueller state park.  I would love to climb there

I support this. I'm definitely interested.