Sign our petition urging lawmakers to protect recreation access on public and private lands in Colorado by strengthening the CO Recreation Use Statute (CRUS), a law protecting landowners who grant free access to their land for hiking, camping, biking, and climbing.

Instead of donating to promote the petition, donate HERE to support the Fix CRUS Coalition directly and help fund our public awareness and policy change campaigns and overcome opposition from the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.

Why is this suddenly an issue? In 2019, the Air Force Academy was found liable for $7 million when a mountain biker hit a sinkhole on an unofficial trail. An exception in the CRUS says owners are not protected if they fail to warn guests of hazards on their land, including the washed-out section of trail. The verdict had an immediate chilling effect on private land access across Colorado.

Until recently, five Colorado 14ers were closed to the public due to liability risks. A temporary waiver system is keeping Mount Democrat, Lincoln, and Cameron open for the short term, but they will close again permanently in 2023 if stronger liability protections are not provided by the state. Mount Lindsey and Mount Bross remain closed to the public, both in part due to liability risk. 

In response to these closures and other impending situations, the Colorado Mountain Club and Colorado Fourteeners Initiative helped write and introduce a bipartisan bill (SB-103) in the Colorado Senate. The legislation would have removed one critical word from the CRUS exemption to increase liability protection for landowners. During the bill's initial hearing, more than 32 organizations supported the bill - while only one organization testified against it: Lobbyists and attorneys representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. 

Enough is Enough. Colorado's 14ers, trails, climbing routes, and hunting lands are an iconic part of our state's legacy and commitment to outdoor recreation and conservation. We can and must do better. The Fix CRUS Coalition was formed to push for a reasonable update to amend the recreational use statue and provide stronger liability protection in order to safeguard access to private land, as well as land owned by local municipalities and counties. 

We demand action from the state legislature. We ask for your commitment to protect and restore access to Colorado's wild outdoor places, including Mt Lindsey, Mt Democrat, and Mt Lincoln.

Take Action to Support Public Recreation Access in Colorado!

Here are some ways to take action, stay updated, and get involved with this campaign. You can also visit www.fixCRUS.org to learn more.

Stay in Touch and Get Involved:

• Join our Grassroots Facebook Page!
• Donate and support our work to protect access.
• Join the Fix CRUS Coalition as an organization.
• Join the Fix CRUS Coalition as an individual.
• Write to your Colorado State Senator & Representative.

Articles with More Information:

• Reopening Of Iconic Colorado 14ers Mt Lincoln & Democrat Highlights Need For Liability Reform
• Landowner Closing Decalibron 14ers Following Bill Failure in Senate
• How the Colorado Recreational Use Statute is Failing Landowners and Hikers Alike
• 14er Access At Risk After Legislation Dies In Committee
• How one El Paso County bike crash is changing access to 14ers in rural Colorado

Meet our Coalition Partners: https://fixcrus.org/who-we-are/

Thank you for supporting public outdoor recreation access in Colorado!