IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Clear Creek Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests reminds visitors that Berthoud Pass area is closed to sledding and tubing, and has been since 2005. Recently, frequent violations of the sledding closure have been reported. The area is adjacent to U.S. Highway 40, 12 miles northwest of Empire and 9 miles south of Winter Park on the Clear Creek Ranger District. Visitors can still enjoy backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, hiking, photography and parking to take in the scenery or use the bathroom and warming hut on Berthoud Pass.

“This area has a history of serious injuries resulting from sledders colliding with vehicles in the parking area and with other users. The closure to sledding and tubing reflects the serious hazard to public health and safety,” said Clear Creek District Ranger Penny Wu.

There are other great places to sled. The Grand Lake Nordic Center in Grand Lake; Carter Park in Breckenridge; the Town of Winter Park Sledding Hill, and Rainbow Park in Silverthorne allow sledding at no charge. YMCA of the Rockies’ Snow Mountain Ranch; the Fraser Tubing Hill and Colorado Adventure Park in Fraser; Winter Park Resort, and Keystone Resort offer sledding opportunities for a fee.

The Berthoud Pass sledding closure area is posted and violators will be ticketed. Violation of the closure is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. For more information, contact the Clear Creek Ranger District at 303-567-3000 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp.