DENVER (KDVR) — For 25 years, a local woman has taken U.S. 285 to Guanella Pass to see the fall leaves, but this year, she said conditions are worse than they’ve ever been.
Heather Vigil, a fourth-generation Coloradan, lives in the Fort Logan neighborhood in Denver. Vigil said that for years during the fall, she and her husband would take U.S. 285 to the mountains for autumn picnics and to enjoy the fall colors. They usually take the trip multiple times a year, however, this year’s drive was much different.
Vigil said they left on Saturday morning at around 9:30 a.m. She said it was like “driving in LA,” and it took them five and a half hours to get to Georgetown.
The traffic has been a problem for many residents this fall, as some have reported illegally parked cars and gridlock conditions on the way to Guanella Pass. While Vigil notes the bumper-to-bumper traffic, she also said the conditions were “just disgusting.”
“We have never, ever seen it this bad. The porta potties were overflowing and piles of dog relief bags were everywhere. Illegal parking, broken side mirrors, people and dogs walking in the middle of the road not allowing cars through,” said Vigil.
Vigil said that people’s side mirrors were being ripped off due to the traffic and that she had to fold in her car’s mirrors to get by.
Vigil said she thinks Colorado will end up with timed-entry passes to see the fall leaves, which can be frustrating as it’s hard to get a reservation — something she said she’s experienced with Rocky Mountain National Park and camping reservations.
“I get that tourism is a huge business in Colorado, and I’m not trying to discourage it, but the problem I have with it is that even local residents can’t even use our own mountains anymore,” said Vigil.
