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Resident warns commissioners that GPS routing is sending large vehicles onto Little Bear Creek Road
Summary
During public comment, resident Michael Raver told the Clear Creek County Board that mapping systems are routing trucks and rental cars onto Little Bear Creek Roada0—a narrow, unpaved series of switchbacks — creating backups and safety hazards; commissioners said the county has received other complaints and has attempted remedies.
Michael Raver of Echo Hills told the Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners during public comment on Sept. 30 that mapping and navigation apps are routing vehicles, including full-size semi trucks and rental cars, onto Little Bear Creek Road, a narrow dirt road with steep switchbacks.
"It's become a accident prone health hazard," Raver said, describing a recent incident in which a semi truck became stopped on the curves and traffic backed up for miles. He said drivers unfamiliar with the road are surprised to find a dirt, switchback route and that existing signage at the top of County Road 103 and elsewhere is not preventing vehicles from being routed onto the road.
Raver asked the county to pursue better signage and to contact mapping companies to prevent routing of large vehicles on Little Bear Creek Road, which he said is often used as an alternate route when I-70 is congested. He also praised a recent handgun certification course run by the sheriff's office as "so well prepared" and "flawless."
A county representative told the public the county had received other emails about Little Bear and "made several attempts to rectify" the problem. No formal board action was taken during public comment. Commissioners and staff discussed deferring executive-session items so Commissioner Lloyd could participate remotely; there was no formal vote tied to the Little Bear remarks.
Why this matters: Routing heavy or unfamiliar vehicles onto narrow, unpaved switchback roads can cause traffic blockages and raise safety and emergency-response concerns for local residents and first responders.
The board did not announce specific follow-up steps on the record for this public comment item during the meeting; commissioners said they had previously received written reports on the issue.
