Resident urges Park County to reopen Main Boulder River Road south of Box Canyon

Lloyd Ruh, president of the Sweetgrass County Recreation Association, told the Park County Commission on May 6 that his group wants the county to reopen the Main Boulder River Road south of Box Canyon and to seek a permit for an at‑grade crossing of the Boulder River.

Ruh said the association will partner with Park County and other stakeholders to open a detour “at no cost to the county.” He also asked the commission to scope an alternate project using FEMA funds so the work would benefit the Main Boulder River Road north of Box Canyon.

Ruh told commissioners that the county had previously posted a multi‑year plan on its Facebook page showing phased work from 2023 through 2025 to repair the Main Boulder River Road both south and north of Box Canyon. He read from the county post and quoted that some roads “do not need to be maintained,” and said that public messaging on the county’s position has been inconsistent.

Ruh asked the commission to “exhaust all the alternatives for some type of repairs on the Main Boulder River Road” and argued that FEMA guidance allows an alternate project so long as it benefits the area for which the original funding was allocated.

Chairman Story thanked Ruh for his comments; the commission did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting and moved on to agenda items.

The comment occurred during the public comment period; no formal referrals, votes or staff directions were recorded on the floor at the May 6 meeting about reopening the road or pursuing the specific FEMA alternative project Ruh described.