December, 2003
Berthoud Pass Meeting on December 16, 2003:
Fate of the Lodge to be Decided
Under the conditions of the expired ski area permit, the lodge at the former Berthoud Pass Ski Area will be razed in the spring or summer. However, because of interest in preserving the building, a public meeting will be held on December 16 to allow interested parties to submit proposals for using the structure. The Forest Service will make a final decision in March 2004.
The current short-term management decision for the area is provided as follows:
Berthoud Pass Area Management -Winter 2003-2004
- Berthoud Pass area will be open to the public in 2003/2004 for backcountry recreation.
- The Forest Service will post an "Access Point Notice to Back Country Travelers" notifying users of the risks and dangers associated with backcountry recreation areas.
- The Forest Supervisor's Order prohibiting motorized use within the Berthoud Pass area will remain in effect and continue to be posted.
- CDOT will plow the Berthoud Pass parking areas only to the extent needed for snowplow turn-around.
- The Forest Service will provide portable restrooms for the public at the parking area.
- CDOT has been approached to see if they would be willing to install an emergency phone at the Pass.
- Per SolVista's removal plan for the ski area facilities, the lodge will be winterized, boarded and closed by November 1, 2003. SolVista will maintain liability insurance until removal of the building.
- The Forest Service will monitor signage and check the lodge weekly.
Arapahoe National Forest has posted to its website the list of potential uses and priorities for Berthoud Pass that was developed at the October 9 public meeting. This list can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/news/meetings/berthoud/berthouduses-attributes-needs.shtml.