Gates will be locked at 9 p.m. to all vehicles and re-opened at 5 a.m. every day, to deter illegal nighttime activity
Beginning on Nov. 14, the City of Boulder will close and lock the vehicle gates at the Panorama Point Trailhead at 1000 Flagstaff Rd. from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The city recently installed vehicle gates, temporary metal fencing and signage to support the existing no-parking hours and to help deter illegal activity after hours. While the Panorama Point Trailhead will be closed to vehicles at 9 p.m., all trails and the Panorama Point Trailhead will remain open to visitors at night who bike or hike to this location. Panorama Point Trailhead remains open as usual during the day.
Increasing public safety issues and impacts to natural resources on Open Space and Mountain
Parks lands during nighttime hours have been of growing concern along the Flagstaff Rd. corridor, and particularly at the Panorama Point Trailhead. At night, illegal use of marijuana and alcohol, trespassing and other serious criminal activity have increased over time, creating greater safety concerns for visitors. Additionally, such illegal activities have a greater risk of impacts to natural resources including increased wildfire risk from campfires, lighters and cigarette butts, as well as additional stress on wildlife sensitive to nighttime public use resulting from vehicle noise, lights, loud music, large group gatherings and trash.
City staff acknowledge how special a place like Panorama Point Trailhead is to many visitors who enjoy recreational opportunities like bouldering, cycling, hiking and admiring the scenic view. The updated protocol is to both improve visitor safety at night and improve the visitor experience for recreational opportunities and special events.
To learn more about Panorama Point and other open space trails, visit OSMPTrails.org.