Popular Trail To Face Shutdown for Fire Mitigation Project

Due to fire mitigation efforts on town property along Thomas Trail and for the safety of hikers, the Green Mountain Falls’ Board of Trustees has decided to temporarily close Thomas Trail on Mondays through Thursdays ONLY from May 31 to August 11, and for additional weeks to be determined in September and October.

 

The Thomas Trail will be open for hikers on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during these weeks. Informational signs will be posted at the three Thomas Trail trailheads as well as on temporary gates on the trail itself.

 

The Thomas Trail is located at the top of Boulder street and can be accessed in the Catamount Falls area.

 

Announcements and new information regarding this closure will be posted on the Town website at https://greenmountainfalls.colorado.gov/, as well as on the Town’s Facebook page located at:

https://www.facebook.com/GMFCOUS.

 

Public Meeting on Parking

In other Green Mountain Falls news, a public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sally Bush Center to discuss the GMF parking program.

 

At a recent public workshop, the trustees indicated they do not want to continue with the current paid-parking program with Interstate Parking Company of Colorado, but wanted to obtain public input. They cited the strong opposition to the program by current business owners and the overall confusion it has created, along with an anti-tourist message. In addition, the trustees cited  a lack of follow-through by the current contractor with a problem persisting regarding illegal parking and very little revenue in return for the town.

 

At the same time, company officials also have stated they do not want to bring back the parking kiosk devices for 2022, citing huge losses that nearly hit the $100,000 level in 2021.

 

This issue was outlined in the May24 issue of TMJ.  For more details, visit www.mountainjackpot.com or visit our Facebook page.

 

While saying they want to retreat from a formal paid-parking program with the current contractor, GMF leaders have stated they want to pursue a managed parking program by upping law enforcement efforts and having increased signage.

 

Problems have been cited regarding people parking illegally in residential areas near trailheads and bad hiker behavior by certain individuals. In addition, confusion has persisted over where the trails are located.

 

Still, the current sentiment politically clearly favors exiting from the contract with Interstate. A formal decision will not  occur until June 7.