Colorado lawmakers advance bill to allow access to 14ers on private land

A landmark deal to allow recreational access to 14ers on private land is nearing approval at the state Capitol with backers calling it “crucial to the Colorado way of life.”

Why it matters: Liability concerns and fear of litigation are endangering the state’s $13.9 billion outdoor recreation industry by threatening to limit access to a handful of 14,000-foot peaks, the popular Leadville 100 trail run and the Ouray Ice Park.

What’s happening: The new legislation advancing at the Capitol with bipartisan support gives landowners protections from liability if they post specified warning signs about existing hazards at access points and trailheads.

The back story: The Colorado Recreational Use Statute gives private property owners extra protections if they allow the public to access their land, except in cases involving a “willful or malicious failure” to guard against a known dangerous condition.

• A 2019 federal court judgment awarding $7 million in damages to a cyclist for injuries on a trail at the Air Force Academy prompted landowners across the state to limit access.
• Two previous legislative efforts to soften that standard failed at the state Capitol with opposition from trial lawyers.

What they’re saying: John Reiber, who previously closed his land accessing Mount Democrat before selling it in September, told lawmakers Tuesday that the bill addresses his concerns and said it would have “a positive effect on recreation in Colorado.”

Yes, but: Landowners can still prohibit access to the property or limit when it’s open for recreational purposes.

• It’s considered trespassing if users veer from the landowner’s designated trail or route.

What’s next: The House will take a final vote in the coming days, and the bill is expected to reach the governor soon afterward.

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