Colorado bill would permit year-round Nat'l Forest use

March 02, 2011

New legislation making its way through Colorado would allow ski resorts to offer year round seasonal activities on National Forest areas. The bill is designed to revise a 1986 law that permits only winter activities for some ski resorts located on National Forests. If passed, the bill would allow ski resorts to apply for permits that would offer year round activities. "I think it's nice in that it really encourages summer activities within the mountains but it also defines what's an acceptable summer activity and what's not," said Gary Derck, CEO for Durango Mountain Resort. Derck said they do offer some summer activities at their resort but only on private land.