PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. — Crowds won’t cut it these days, even in the great outdoors.
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Director Gary Tennenbaum warned Tuesday that if people ignore social-distancing requirements and hang out in crowds while recreating outside, they will leave public land managers no choice but to take drastic actions.
The open space program was forced to do that Sunday when rangers called Pitkin County deputy sheriffs to disperse crowds congregating at the Penny Hot Springs in the Crystal River Valley. The hot springs have been closed until further notice.
“They disregarded it because they didn’t feel it was as important to practice social distancing outside,” Tennenbaum said.
> The video above details social distancing and how it is meant to "flatten the curve."
He doesn’t want to see the same action taken in other high-use areas such as Smuggler Mountain Road or the Prince Creek Trail system outside of Carbondale. Trails, parks and other public lands are vital amenities that will help people keep their sanity while contact is restricted during the health crisis, Tennenbaum said. So it is vital that people follow the guidelines so those facilities remain in use.
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