Petition launched to protect access to 14ers after closure of three peaks

A petition has been launched just days after it was announced that the DeCaLibron Loop Trail, which provides access to three 14ers: Democrat, Cameron, and Lincoln, is now closed to all hikers as a result of the failure of Senate Bill 103. This bill, which failed to pass out of the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee last week, would have bolstered liability protection for landowners who allow access to their properties for recreational uses.

One of those land owners, John Reiber, was quoted in the Colorado Sun last week, stating, “I have been advised by my own attorneys on several occasions that I am rolling the dice by leaving these peaks open. Now I do plan to close the 14ers for access. Without any regulatory support … I just can no longer take on the level of risk in case someone gets hurt and wants to sue me.”

The petition was created to ask the Judiciary Committee to reconsider their decision on the bill. This is from the petition as posted on Change.org:

Mount Lindsey, a 14er near Alamosa, closed to access in 2021 due to this risk. Mount Bross closed for similar reasons back in 2003 and both remain closed to the public today. In March 2023, a bipartisan bill (SB-103) reached the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee that would remove one critical word from the Colorado Recreational Use Statute exemption and increase liability protection for landowners. However, the CO Trial Lawyers Association opposed the bill, leading to its failure in Committee in a 3-2 vote.

The four Decalibron 14ers closed to the public two days after the bill failed, and other peaks, trails, and hunting land are at risk of closure. Sign the petition and tell the three Senators who killed the bill that they must support it in the future to protect public access to private lands for recreation. Join 30 organizations, including The Colorado Mountain Club, The Wilderness Society, and Access Fund, and demand that the Senate make it right.

The failure of Senate Bill 103 has the potential to impact access to many other trails and recreational areas in Colorado if land owners fear they could be subject to liability. Hikers should probably make their voices heard to give landowners protection from frivilous lawsuits, and to ensure continued access to recreational areas.



Jeff
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