DENVER, COLORADO – Governor Polis signed a bill into law this afternoon to help resolve longstanding 14er trail closures following a multi-year effort to update the Colorado recreational use statute. The new legislation, SB-58, clarifies the statute, which protects landowners from lawsuits if they grant free public access to their land for outdoor recreation. The bill also creates a new blanket of security for landowners or land managers who put up a warning sign at the trailhead or access point on their land, instead of being required to place it at the specific location of the hazard.
The changes are expected to help resolve the repeated closures of Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Lindsey while preventing additional closures on peaks like Mt. Sherman and Mt. Shavano, which are also privately owned.
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The Governor discussed the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities to Coloradans of all backgrounds. He expressed his hope that the bill would not only help resolve closures but expand access to new areas for citizens to enjoy.
Many attendees at the bill signing represented the Fix CRUS Coalition. Formed in the aftermath of a failed bill last year, the coalition includes more than 45 different businesses, non-profits, and local governments working together to update the statute. They took the lead to craft a bill and find a solution that the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association found acceptable. They were officially neutral on the final bill that passed.
Get a new CRUS Warning Sign!
Landowners who allow or would like to allow recreation on their land without charge can get a free warning sign with new language approved by the bill by submitting a request using the form here. The coalition has 100 signs available for free thanks to a grant. Additional signs will be available for a small fee to cover manufacturing and shipping costs.
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