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Garfield County approves educational permit for high-risk slot canyons after public hearing
Summary
The Garfield County Commission approved a sheriff-led, free permitting and education program for several slot canyons after a public hearing and public comment from local canyoneers and stakeholders. The permit aims to reduce rescues and inform visitors about risks; a class B misdemeanor and fines could apply for noncompliance.
Garfield County commissioners voted to implement a free, educational permit for several high-risk slot canyons after a public hearing at the county courthouse. The permitting program, presented by the county sheriff, requires would-be canyon users to carry a permit that documents intended start and end dates, group size and route and affirms awareness of the risks.
The permit “is an educational piece. No charge to it,” the sheriff said during the hearing, adding that the paper trail helps search-and-rescue personnel know “what canyon they're in and when they went in and when they were supposed to leave.” The sheriff also told the commission the last rescue related to these canyons cost “a little over $23,000 to the taxpayer.”
The program grew from months of coordination between county staff, the Bureau of Land Management and local canyoneering groups. Dean Brooks, who identified himself as a resident of Boulder and a representative of the Coalition of American…
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