Pitkin County panel approves Snowmass Falls Ranch trailhead parking plan amid resident concern

The Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 16 to find the Snowmass Falls Ranch trailhead parking proposal in conformance with the Upper Snowmass Creek master plan, clearing the way for the county to seek construction bids if the Board of County Commissioners approves a budget supplemental next week.

Planning staff and Open Space and Trails presenters said the project relocates the parking area from Forest Service land onto the county-owned Snowmass Falls Ranch property, improves emergency vehicle access and consolidates parking to reduce roadside overflow. Carly O’Connell, senior planner and landscape architect with Open Space and Trails, said the preferred design provides separate portals for hikers and equestrians, a double-vault restroom building and screening to minimize visual impacts.

"We want to deliver a sustainable, well-functioning and appropriately scaled wilderness access point," O’Connell said, adding the lot is sized to serve overnight permit holders and day users without expanding the trailhead’s long-term capacity. Presentation slides and a visitor survey from Utah State University showed the existing lot averages about 27 vehicles in the lot per hour—above the lot’s nominal capacity of about 24—and that roadside parking often spills down Upper Snowmass Creek Road.

Staff described the parking program as roughly 70–74 trailhead spaces with three ADA stalls, five equestrian/trailer stalls and four combined administrative/emergency spaces; they said the county intends to limit total parking in the corridor to about 85 vehicles by combining the trailhead lot, one adjacent lot and enforcement measures. "We would be out there enforcing no parking on the road," O’Connell said, and the county expects a transition period of education and warnings before citations become routine.

Gary Tinnabell, director for Open Space and Trails, said staff favor an education-first enforcement approach. "We're not necessarily handing people a $100 ticket right away. We do a huge education and warning," he said, noting the county has used that approach successfully at other sites to change behavior.

County staff and Forest Service participants described tools to manage demand: targeted outreach to overnight permit holders, variable message signage and coordination with permit systems and trail-information platforms. They said pay parking was discussed but remains a last-resort option because of equity concerns.

Residents who live near the trailhead urged the commission to delay action and expand local outreach. "We voted unanimously a week ago to ask you to defer a decision," Jan Martin, president of the Upper Snowmass Creek Caucus, said, adding many residents said they first learned of the project from a newspaper article. Nearby resident David Hale said the project felt like "a parking lot builder in a wilderness area" and asked for more time to gather caucus input.

Local outfitters who run pack and guide operations urged approval for safety reasons. "It has become hazardous to go along that road during these peak seasons," said Carly Sense, a Snowmass Creek Outfitters guide and valley resident. Amy Grew, an owner of Snowmass Creek Outfitters, said closer parking would reduce time lost moving riders and improve search-and-rescue response.

Commissioners weighed the competing priorities—safety and wilderness character—and pressed staff on notification procedures. Staff said referral notices went to caucus contacts on May 13 and acknowledged some emails did not reach broader caucus membership; they offered to continue outreach and to bring caucus concerns to the Board of County Commissioners. Construction, staff said, could begin late summer if the BOCC finalizes budget approval and the county completes bidding and earth-moving permits; project work would be timed to reduce wildlife disturbance and keep the trailhead open during construction.

Commissioner Joe moved to adopt a resolution finding the project in conformance with the 2018 Upper Snowmass Creek master plan and the county comprehensive plan; the motion was seconded and passed in roll-call votes. The commission’s action is a location-and-extent finding; final construction depends on BOCC budget action and procurement. The BOCC will consider the related budget supplemental next week, and staff said they intend to go to bid and aim to complete work this fall if permits and weather allow.

The commission closed the meeting after confirming no further agenda items. The county will post follow-up materials and staff said they will meet with caucus representatives to address notification gaps and outstanding resident questions.