KUSA — You might have seen photos of Conundrum Hot Springs near Aspen on Instagram. It’s a picturesque location, even though it takes an eight mile hike to get there.
What you probably haven’t seen is the unburied human waste, campsite hardening, erosion, illegal-tree cutting, dog waste (even though dogs aren’t allowed there) and everything from trash to tents left behind that have plagued the area for years.
To help solve the problem that has come with all the people flocking to this beautiful location, the U.S. Forest Service has enacted an overnight camping permit process.
On peak weekends, hundreds of people would camp at Conundrum Hot Springs. Under the new permit system, that number would be closer to 60.
The permits, which cost $10 per campsite, will be required year-round and will be available starting at 8 a.m. on April 18, the Forest Service said. There are currently 17 campsites, but there are plans to build 20.
You can only get two permits per calendar year.
Rangers will be in the area to ensure that campers do have permits. They must be printed out as hard copies. Otherwise, campers will have to leave the area. Camping without a permit could come with a $5,000 fine, according to a Q&A sent out by White River National Forest.
You can read more about how to get a permit here: http://bit.ly/2nN8UCS
