DENVER, COLORADO – In 2023, the number of hikers summiting Colorado’s iconic 14,000-foot peaks, known as 14ers, dropped to 260,000 hiker days, matching the lowest level seen since 2015. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) recently released a report highlighting this significant 6.8% decline from the previous year, marking a sharp contrast to the peak of 415,000 hiker days recorded during the pandemic summer of 2020.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
One of the most significant factors contributing to this downturn was the closure of the Decalibron Loop, a popular route encompassing Mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and the Bross bypass. The trail closure, prompted by landowner liability concerns, resulted in a steep 55% drop in hiker days within the Mosquito Range, translating to a 17,500-day decline. The closure of the Decalibron, along with a similar situation in 2021, has had a profound impact on statewide numbers.
However, the efforts of the Fix CRUS Coalition, of which The Next Summit is a founding member, aim to reverse this trend by restoring access to these beloved peaks. This coalition has been instrumental in policy advocacy, research, and providing resources to address the landowner concerns that led to the closure. Their work has been pivotal in laying the groundwork for reopening the Decalibron Loop, which is anticipated to bring a surge in hiker numbers for the 2024 year.
Despite the expected increase in the Decalibron area, the broader trend across most of the state’s 14ers continues to show a consistent decline. The CFI report indicates that this decrease is partly due to hiker frustration with overcrowding and the impact of high traffic on these sensitive environments. For instance, Mount Bierstadt, one of the most popular peaks, saw a nearly 6% drop in use, while Quandary Peak recorded an increase but still fell short of pre-pandemic levels.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
These trends underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive outdoor education and prevention efforts. As the allure of Colorado’s 14ers grows, so does the pressure on these trails and surrounding ecosystems. Voluntary compliance with public land regulations and adherence to Leave No Trace principles are becoming increasingly critical to prevent more restrictive measures, such as trail closures and permit systems, which have already been implemented on several peaks.
CFI Executive Director Lloyd F. Athearn noted that last year’s hiking season was reminiscent of 2015, both in terms of use levels and the growing concerns over crowd management and environmental preservation. The need for increased education and awareness about responsible hiking practices is evident, as more hikers could mean more potential for damage without proper stewardship.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
CFI’s efforts in constructing durable trails and engaging volunteers have been vital, but the ongoing decline in hiker days on most peaks suggests that the challenges of managing these iconic landscapes are far from over. As population growth in Colorado slows, the focus shifts toward sustaining the quality of the outdoor experience rather than merely accommodating larger numbers.
The outdoor community and organizations like CFI must continue to push for education initiatives that encourage responsible behavior on the trails. For those who cherish these peaks, the message is clear: enjoy the mountains, but do so in a way that preserves them for future generations.
Visitation Report Links
Click the links below to read the 14er Visitation Reports available online from CFI:
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2023
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2022
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2021
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2020
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2019
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2018
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2017
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2016
- Colorado 14ers Visitation Report – 2015
