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Local outfitters, residents urge town action after recurring camps, trash at Carbondale boat ramp
Summary
Commercial river users and residents told trustees they have repeatedly found tents, trash and graffiti at the Carbondale boat ramp and asked the town to coordinate with Garfield County and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to remove encampments and clean the site.
Dave Johnson, owner of Crystal Fly Shop, told trustees the Carbondale boat ramp and under-bridge area has long been the site of recurring homeless camps, graffiti and trash that volunteers and CPW officers repeatedly remove.
Johnson said he photographed four tents, a barbecue grill and scattered trash that included spray paint cans, soiled clothing and a sofa rolled down an embankment. He said two elderly men were assaulted at the ramp last autumn and that vehicles have been broken into. Johnson said the sheriff's deputy told him the jurisdiction under the bridge is Garfield County's, while the ramp is town property and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has statewide authority. He said a Garfield County deputy offered to partner with the town and would attempt to evict squatters the day after Johnson's call.
Johnson told trustees commercial outfitters and local users want an end to the camps and pollution and asked the trustees to join volunteers for a cleanup. The mayor pro tem and staff said they would follow up with police and coordinate with CPW to clarify jurisdiction and enforcement options; staff noted fencing and jurisdictional limits could affect what the town can do.
Trustees and staff agreed to provide an update after coordinating with police and CPW.
