What cause to rejoice! The long overdue end to the illegal closure of a Pitkin County right of way and road has come to a settlement. The Rock Creek Wagon Road between Redstone and Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve, colloquially known as Dorais Way, will reopen in time for the Preserve’s summer season. This dirt road starts at the Redstone North Bridge and travels downriver for approximately one mile before entering the nature preserve. We believe this is the end of a very sad and unfortunate legal battle.
Years ago, several new residents along Dorais Way formed the Rock Creek Association (RCA). This non-unanimous group of homeowners proceeded to install a gate and signage and illegally locked everyone out except immediate neighbors. While The Crystal Valley Environmental Protection Association (CVEPA) understands the neighborhood’s concern about trail development and sharing this bit of paradise, this effort at exclusivity was misguided. Access is an important part of the CVEPA mission, whether it be to promote or restrict access.
The core RCA group of three men from outside the Valley built their retirement homes along the right of way and claimed the homeowners had the exclusive right of access to this road. The road has a precedent of public use dating back perhaps over 140 years. Numerous old timers agreed to testify to public use dating back generations. The Pitkin County attorney took the RCA to task in a years-long legal battle that has cost the taxpayers a great deal of money, all while public access was being usurped. Pitkin County ultimately proved that the route is a county road. Pitkin County and RCA have reached a settlement favoring the sovereignty of the county.
Early in this case, CVEPA learned of the facts and came out strongly and vocally in favor of Pitkin County’s defense of public access. This drew the ire of the RCA. CVEPA emails and minutes were subpoenaed by the RCA at great inconvenience to CVEPA.
On a beautiful summer day three years ago, the president of CVEPA was deposed under oath at the office of the lawyer commissioned by the RCA. On that sunny day the president was interrogated by the RCA attorney for over four hours while the three new RCA “neighbors” sat there glowering at him. Questions ranged from anything that might have been said to county commissioners to relationships the president has with local Redstone friends and neighbors and any conspiring conversations that might have been had about the road closure. Nothing was found. Three years ago, I was stunned that a judge had endorsed such intrusive measures. Sadly, in this present day, nothing from the judiciary shocks me.
Disappointment, anger, a feeling of helplessness — maybe a bit of all this was felt, but it is the reason that standing up in defense of access and engaging in the issues is so important! These stories need to be told. Knowledge and respect of history is the best way to avoid making the same mistakes again, or fighting the same battles.
It is time to get beyond this issue so the healing can begin. A carved stone sits in the yard of a unique educator and role model from my youth, reading: “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” It is always time to stand tall for access to public lands. Defense of those very same public lands could never be more important. The “Big, Beautiful Bill” has threatened your public lands. Beware Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, who is committed to fulfill his vision of Utah’s manifest destiny. Now is the time to write senators and congressmen to protect the wilds from the auction block.
CVEPA believes that public restraint from access, be it temporary or permanent, can be of equal importance to environmental well-being. The much revered conservation easement system is established to protect the environment and the conservation property owner.
Know before you go! The Rock Creek Wagon Road access settlement was ratified by the county commission on June 25, so the public can resume their peaceful and respectful access to one of the most ecologically rich gems of the Crystal Valley. The Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve Management Plan allows hikers to traverse the preserve on that access road from July 1 to Sept. 30.
Thank you to the people standing up for our rights and Pitkin County’s commitment to public access! Research the limited access to Filoha Meadows and why adherence to these regulations is so important.
To support CVEPA and to learn more about their mission, search www.cvepa.org or follow on facebook.