Making Recreation Safer on Private Lands: Notes from a Legislative Research Intern

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:07:45 +0000

Making Recreation Safer on Private Lands: Notes from a Legislative Research Intern Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/28/2024 - 11:07 Natalie Schwartz

I’m currently serving as a legislative research intern for the Capstone Group, a Denver-based lobbying firm. The Capstone Group has been involved with some of the most influential policies and legislation enacted within Colorado. In my role, I am responsible for attending committee hearings and taking detailed notes. Once finalized, my notes are sent to clients and Capstone employees to keep them up to date on legislative happenings that are crucial to their lobbying pursuits. I’ve learned quite a bit about the Colorado legislative process and the issues facing Coloradans statewide. Throughout the semester, I look forward to updating the Colorado Political Science Review audience with the latest relevant and interesting bills moving through the Capitol.

On January 29th, the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee met to hear SB24-058, Landowner Liability Recreational Use Warning Signs. In Colorado, many natural resources including 14ers and fishing holes are on privately owned land - making public access a complicated matter. The legislation encourages landowners to install a sign explaining known dangers on their property at the primary access point or beginning of the trailhead. The signage clarifies the access points and states that those who do not stay within the trail are considered trespassers. By informing recreationists of the dangers on the property, they are engaging at their own risk, and landowners are protected from potential lawsuits.

This issue came to the forefront of Coloradans’ attention in 2008 after a very serious bicycle injury at the Air Force Academy. That incident in 2008 resulted in a lawsuit in 2011 which lasted for over a decade and included five trips to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The lawsuit increased landowners’ concerns surrounding liabilities for injuries on their property and had a chilling effect on individuals statewide. To avoid a lawsuit, some landowners have designated their property as an area in which trespassing is not prohibited. In doing so, certain 14ers and other natural resources have been made inaccessible to the public.

The Committee heard from thirteen witnesses, with one taking a neutral stance while the remaining twelve witnesses testified in support of the bill. Supporters of the legislation shared that their sentiment resonates with thousands of individuals in a variety of communities across Colorado. The witnesses in support of this legislation emphasized that the bill protects both landowners and outdoor recreationists by providing very specific language on a sign posted on the primary access point. This language assists landowners as it directly acknowledges known dangers present on their land and gives them the authority to control when and where recreational activities take place on their land. Individuals recreating on their property are also informed of said dangers through the signage language established under this legislation.

Some supporters stressed the financial concerns they have regarding the potential limitation of outdoor recreation on privately owned land. For instance, several supporters stated that activities like trail running, and climbing are no longer considered fringe sports and therefore require individuals’ access to land. Lloyd Athearn, Executive Director of Colorado’s 14ers Initiative explained how the public, especially Colorado’s alpine activity enthusiasts crave entry to the natural resources available on privately owned land. Echoing his point, John Lacroix of the Human Potential Running Series stressed how without admittance to these natural resources, outdoor recreational activities and races will cease to exist. It is incredibly difficult to plan outdoor recreational activities spanning tens of miles without entry into these privately owned spaces. Ultimately, if the land is inaccessible, supporters of the legislation fear the extinction of outdoor events, tourism decline in mountain communities, and an overall decrease in Coloradans’ ability to explore and enjoy their state’s natural resources. Overall, supporters claimed this legislation reduces the burden on landowners while providing Coloradans with access to natural resources.

The bill, SB24-058 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a vote of 5-0 and was introduced in the House on February 5th, 2024. This legislation is integral to providing public access to natural resources in Colorado. However, the implications of an injury or accident are definitely concerning to property owners. In theory, this bill addresses those concerns through detailed signage and Coloradans can once again enjoy the land.

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Political Science Department Hosts First Annual Civic Engagement Fair

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:07:07 +0000

Political Science Department Hosts First Annual Civic Engagement Fair Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/28/2024 - 11:07 Franny Willardson

The Civic Engagement Fair was held at the UMC at the University of Colorado, Boulder. At this event, there were two keynote speakers and multiple booths about ways to get involved in the community. Civic engagement is important because it can change the outcome of elections and inform citizens about local issues. Young people should feel more motivated to participate in their community because election decisions will have a large impact on them.

The two keynote speakers were Marta Loachamin and Molly Fitzpatrick.

Marta Loachamin started off her career here at CU Boulder. She was a full-time student while working in the restaurant industry and graduated with a degree in Ethnic Studies. After college, she started working at a bank learning more about the complicated financial system in the United States. In the US, not many of us are fully aware of the financial system and what access to credit scores means.

After that she moved into the mortgage field, helping people buy homes. The process of buying a home can be daunting if you are not familiar with the process. Loachamin also noticed how the home-buying process is another systematically racist institution where people of color are less likely to be treated the same and be approved for a home loan.

After starting at grad school to become a teacher, she had to leave school for a time because of the pressures of supporting her family, but was able to come back and finish her degree in education.

Loachamin started Resiliency for All, a data assessment firm to determine barriers to access to local governments and other agencies. Resiliency for All strives to help bridge the gap between the Latino population of Boulder Country and help make these agencies more accessible One of the recommendations is providing more guidance to attempt to remove the barriers put in place by the system.

The second keynote speaker was Molly Fitzpatrick, a Country Clerk overseeing elections, motor vehicles, and recording. Her goal is to flip the narrative that our government doesn’t care and is slow. As a County Clerk, Fitzpatrick has had over 100,000 motor interactions since being elected in 2018. She believes that the most important way to make change is to vote. Voting can change who is in the seats of local governments, and who can create large changes for communities.

The Know Your Voting Rights campaign in Boulder County is to ensure that people are aware of their right to vote and when elections are coming up.

The Civic Engagement Fair was attended by around 100 students, who were able to learn about ways to get involved in the community with organizations like Boulder County Boards and Commissions, League of Women Voters, Bridge USA and more. The ic Engagement Fair highlighted the importance of being involved. By being involved in your community, you can make change just like Loachamin and Fitzpatrick.

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CPSR Civic and Political Engagement

Making Recreation Safer on Private Lands: Notes from a Legislative Research Intern

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Political Science Department Hosts First Annual Civic Engagement Fair

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