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Boulder Falls closed after large rockfall; geotechnical report finds high hazard, costly mitigation
Summary
A November rockfall that deposited multi‑ton boulders at Boulder Falls prompted a geotechnical review that found exceptionally hazardous slope geometry and recommended that the city not reopen the trail in its prior alignment; mitigation could exceed $7 million and options include moved viewing platforms or permanent closure.
The Boulder Falls trail and viewing area in Boulder Canyon have been closed since a large rockfall event over Veterans Day weekend and a subsequent geotechnical analysis shows a continued high risk of rockfall and severe injury to visitors.
Visitor Infrastructure Senior Manager Hillary Deese told the Open Space Board of Trustees that a consultant’s analysis found multiple hazard mechanisms in the northern cliffs and gully above the falls, including toppling wedges, differential erosion, overhangs and launch features. The consultants applied the Colorado Department of Transportation rockfall hazard framework and rated…
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