Durango staff to pilot centerline striping and stepped enforcement after trail focus group rejects blanket speed limits

City staff told the Durango City Council May 5 that a 10‑member focus group convened in late January to study safety concerns on the Animas River Trail recommended enforcement and design changes over blanket speed limits.

Clancy, filling in for Lily Oswald, said the group—drawn from more than 80 applicants—favored stronger enforcement of off‑leash dogs, unauthorized motor use and reckless behavior and supported centerline striping in high‑traffic segments as a low‑cost pilot. “There was strong consensus for better enforcement of existing regulations,” Clancy said; staff reported an average observed speed of about 12.7 mph on the trail during prior measurements.

The focus group did not endorse new speed limits (many participants opposed anything below 15 mph), and members preferred education and enforcement tools, according to staff. Staff recommended a pilot of dashed and solid centerline striping consistent with AASHTO guidance, pre/post speed measurements to evaluate effects, and expanded education and on‑trail presence by officers and trail ambassadors.

Councilors asked for evaluation details and a summer follow‑up report; staff said Parks & Recreation has existing budget to install striping and will coordinate with police to measure impacts. Police Commander Devon Conra described enforcement as focused on reckless behavior—passing at unsafe speeds or too closely to other users—and said the department will bolster presence during peak periods.

What to expect: a pilot rollout of centerline striping in identified high‑use segments, speed measurements before and after installation, and coordinated education and enforcement this summer; staff will report outcomes at a future council meeting.