County approves summer race and cycling permits with conditions on fees and permits

Kittitas County commissioners on May 6 reviewed and conditioned approvals for three special-event permit applications: the Ellensburg Mile (scheduled June 21), the GRIT event (July 19), and the Ride to Defeat ALS (Aug. 16).

County staff outlined standard conditions for all events, including advance public notice in local newspapers, placement of warning signs and flaggers where participants enter county roads, and coordination with the sheriff’s office and fire marshal. For the Ellensburg Mile, staff noted no county road closures were planned; public works asked that no vehicles be parked on county-maintained road shoulders. The applicant for the Ellensburg Mile told the board that participants are asked to make a $25 donation to receive a race bib; commissioners asked county attorneys to confirm compliance with admissions-tax and permitting rules before final approval.

For the GRIT event, county staff said the treasurer requires admissions tax registration and remittance (deadline cited as Aug. 19) and reminded organizers to obtain any necessary U.S. Forest Service, state DOT, or Washington State Patrol permits; the fire marshal required portable fire extinguishers at rest stops and at least one portable toilet per 50 racers, plus handwashing stations. The Ride to Defeat ALS application was similarly reviewed; staff verified the nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status and reminded organizers that tents larger than sizes set by the marshal require separate permits. All three applications were recommended with the stated conditions and no objections were recorded at the meeting.

Organizers were told to coordinate with county departments and outside jurisdictions as needed; staff will verify compliance where admissions or external permits are required.