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Climbers, guides and businesses press county for clearer maintenance and parking rules at Senator Gulch
Summary
Recreation stakeholders and guides urged the Board of County Commissioners to improve turnaround and parking safety at Senator Gulch (Camp Bird Road), suggesting a relocated gate, scheduled weekly maintenance or a new parking lot; county staff cited avalanche history and liability risks and said it will continue stakeholder coordination.
Guides, business owners and climbing‑community representatives pressed the Ouray County commissioners for clearer maintenance plans and safer turnaround and parking at Senator Gulch (Camp Bird Road). Speakers representing local guiding companies and the Ouray Climbers Alliance said the current parking and turnaround configuration is unsafe in winter and is harming the county’s winter economy.
"A lot of the reason why the current parking situation is dangerous is because we don't have a place to turn around," said Nico Leese, a local guide. Others described vehicles stuck on steep slopes, narrow turn radii and inadequate sanding or clearing after storms. The climbers urged the county to pursue one or more of these remedies: relocate the gate to provide safer turning room, create a sanctioned parking area (which would require US Forest Service coordination), adopt a weekly or scheduled maintenance window that avoids overnight parking during clearing, and add clearer signage and a designated turnaround.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Ty Barker said the site is on a historic avalanche path and that any gate relocation raises complex liability and contractual issues with a private contractor that currently performs certain maintenance tasks under an agreement. Barker said the department will continue targeted coordination with stakeholders (including the Climbers Alliance and the mine operator that manages some avalanche mitigation) and offered a per‑request clearing process and advance coordination so climbers can move vehicles before scheduled clearing.
Commissioners emphasized they want to support recreational access while safeguarding public safety; they asked staff to revisit prior work‑session direction, check earlier meeting minutes and stakeholder meeting notes, and report back with a plan that addresses avalanche risk, liability, and parking alternatives. No immediate policy change was adopted; staff and the sheriff were asked to continue stakeholder coordination.
