Summit County outraged as forest service cuts seasonal campsite enforcement
- The U.S. Forest Service will not hire seasonal workers for campsite enforcement in Colorado this year.
- Summit County leaders are concerned about safety and cleanliness in campgrounds without these workers.
- County officials are exploring alternative funding solutions, but they acknowledge that these may be less effective.
In Colorado, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it will not be hiring seasonal workers to enforce campsite regulations this upcoming year. This decision has raised concerns among Summit County leaders, especially since the county implemented a mill levy in 2018 to fund temporary positions dedicated to campsite enforcement. County officials assert that the absence of these workers could lead to unclean campgrounds and unsafe trails, highlighting the reliance on federally employed personnel for these tasks. Although the Forest Service aims to allocate funds towards hiring biologists instead, local leaders, including Summit Commissioner Tamara Pogue, emphasize the importance of enforcement work in preventing wildfires and maintaining safety in recreational areas. They express hope that additional hiring options may arise if new funding becomes available.