Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Winter Pile Burning Operations On Both Sides Of Park11/18/2022 RMNP UPDATE - November, 8, 2022 Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of any upcoming wet or winter weather conditions to burn piles of slash generated from several fuels reduction projects and hazard tree removals. Slash from these projects has been cut and piled by park fire crews and contractors over the last two years and are now dry enough to burn.
When fighting the East Troublesome Fire in 2020, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fire and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects aided considerably in stopping the fire from jumping Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road. Years of hazardous fuels reduction projects and bark beetle tree removal on the west side were instrumental in the successful burnout operations around the town of Grand Lake and helped minimize structure loss in the main park housing area. Pile burning operations will only begin when conditions allow. The piles are in a variety of locations including areas near the boundary of the park with Allenspark, near Lily Lake, west of Deer Mountain, near Moraine Park Campground, in the Willow Park area off Old Fall River Road and on the west side of the park along US Highway 34/Trail Ridge Road. The fuels reduction projects are designed to reduce significant accumulations of forest fuels that can generate extreme or problematic fire behavior adjacent to wildland urban interface. By reducing the potential fire behavior, the wildland fire risk to firefighters and the public is significantly reduced. However, these projects are not designed as a stand-alone defense against wildfires nor are they guaranteed to hold a wildfire in the worst of conditions. Please do your part and complete wildfire mitigation on your property. To learn more about wildfire mitigation around your home visit www.firewise.org Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality and other environmental regulations are continually monitored as a part of any fire management operation. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health For questions about this project or information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206 or visit www.nps.gov/romo
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**Updated on November 3, 2022, to include the law enforcement ranger's name, at the request of the National Park Service**
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Daron Marquel Ellis, 29, of Aurora, was sentenced to 23.5 years in federal prison today after earlier pleading guilty to attempted murder in the second degree of a federal officer and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. According to the plea agreement in the case, Daron Marquel Ellis came to the attention of law enforcement on December 8, 2021, when a Colorado State Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle Ellis was driving on Highway 34 in Larimer County for speeding. Ellis initially stopped the car and got out without being asked to do so. The trooper directed Ellis to get back into the car and discussed the reason for the stop with him. The trooper learned the license plate on the car was stolen. The trooper asked Ellis to get out of the car. At that point, Ellis fled at a high rate of speed up winding mountain roads. The trooper followed the vehicle for a short period of time before ending the pursuit. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) rangers received information from dispatch about the car involved and that the car may be heading towards RMNP. Law Enforcement Ranger Mitchell Hauptman, who is employed by the National Park Service, was on duty that day, dressed in his standard uniform. He received the information, got in his law enforcement patrol vehicle and waited in the vicinity of Fall River entrance to RMNP. At approximately 10:15 a.m., Ranger Hauptman saw a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description enter RMNP. As soon as he recognized the car, he activated his emergency lights. By that point, the defendant’s vehicle attempted to evade the ranger by driving on the shoulder of the road and came to a stop after hitting several boulders that were just inside the boundary of RMNP. When Ranger Hauptman got out of his marked law enforcement vehicle, he pulled his duty pistol and ordered the occupants of the car to show their hands. At that time, without provocation, Ellis began firing at Ranger Hauptman using a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Ellis shot Ranger Hauptman on the left side of his torso in an area protected by the ranger's ballistics vest. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team subsequently determined that a bullet entered the rear driver’s side column of the ranger’s vehicle in the same location where the ranger moved to take cover. Ellis fired multiple rounds at Ranger Hauptman and remained in the car the entire time he was shooting at the ranger. Ranger Hauptman returned fire when he knew his life was in danger and hit Ellis. Ellis eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. Ranger Hauptman had a bruise approximately 10 inches in diameter on the left side of his chest where he was shot. “To shoot at and try to kill a peace officer is a particularly egregious crime that will be punished with significant time in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We wish the National Park Service ranger the very best as he continues his recovery from this incident.” “Any assault on a federal officer warrants FBI attention, and personnel from FBI Denver were immediately dispatched to this incident in Rocky Mountain National Park,” said FBI Denver Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “The National Park Service ranger performed his duties admirably and courageously as the gunman attacked. We are proud to assist in this prosecution and see this assailant receive justice.” According to Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent Darla Sidles, “Today’s sentencing brings important resolution to the attempted murder of one of our valued law enforcement rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park and allows us to focus on healing. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ranger Hauptman and all National Park Service law enforcement rangers who sometimes must contend with serious crimes that do not stop at the park boundary. We express our deep appreciation to all who were involved with the investigation and securing this conviction including NPS rangers, the NPS Investigative Services Branch, the FBI, the Estes Park Police Department, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the team of prosecuting attorneys.” Judge Raymond P. Moore sentenced Ellis on October 31, 2022. He also sentenced Ellis to 5 years of supervised release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division and the National Park Service investigated this case. Prosecution was handled by the Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  Snowshoeing on Trail Ridge Road in March of 2019/photo by Kip Rusk RMNP UPDATE: 10/24/2022 Today, Monday, October 24, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park officially closed for the season to through travel. Many popular driving destinations for this time of year including Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley, are all open.
Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails and no shoulders. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. Closure points on the road may fluctuate this fall, however the road is closed to through travel for the season. Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on May 27. Old Fall River Road closed for the season to vehicles on October 3. Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road will remain open to bicycles and leashed pets through November 30. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. On December 1, both of these roads will revert to "winter trail status" which means that bicycles and leashed pets are no longer permitted beyond the closed gates but pedestrians, snowshoers and skiers are. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. Major Construction Project To Begin At The Fall River Entrance In Rocky Mountain National Park10/24/2022 RMNP UPDATE - 10/24/2022  Fall River Entrance Station; NPS.gov/ROMO photo Construction will begin the week of October 31, for a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary.
During this major construction project, only one lane at Fall River Entrance will be operational to enter the park and one lane to exit. Park visitors are strongly encouraged to avoid the Fall River Entrance and use the Beaver Meadows Entrance. During this major project, park visitors should expect extended wait times at both major east side entrance stations. Weather and resources depending, the project should be completed by late June. Originally designed for summer operations nearly 60 years ago, the facilities at the Fall River Entrance Station no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park. When the entrance station was designed, the park had approximately one and a half million annual visitors. By 2019, annual visitation almost tripled, to over four and a half million annual visitors. Improvements are needed to improve visitor access and convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and provide a safe and efficient space for park employees. A fast pass lane will be added, along with road widening which should improve visitor wait times and experience while entering through the Fall River Entrance. A new office and three kiosks, with proper ventilation, will be constructed. In addition, a new entrance sign will be installed which will include a small formal parking area. An additional project will rehabilitate and replace components of the wastewater and water systems serving the Fall River Entrance and Bighorn Ranger Station. The on-site wastewater treatment system will be replaced, and other upgrades will occur. Many aspects of the water system will be replaced, and the water treatment building will be improved. A culvert crossing Fall River Road is severely deteriorated and does not meet 100-year flood standards, it will be upgraded and replaced during this project as well. The Fall River Visitor Center will remain open with winter hours of 9 am to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week. For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. RMNP UPDATE - October 22, 2022 Conditions on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is a high elevation road with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, are forecast to deteriorate tonight with snow, freezing temperatures and high winds. Trail Ridge Road will be closing tonight at 7 p.m. or earlier if conditions deteriorate sooner. Closures will be at Many Parks Curve and Colorado River Trailhead. The road will reopen when (and if) weather and conditions permit.
Recorded status line for Trail Ridge Road (970) 586-1222 or follow the park on Twitter @RockyNPS  Park snowplow operations on October 2 2022 Trail Ridge Road; photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain National Park RMNP UPDATE - October 2, 2022 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will remain closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park due to ongoing winter weather conditions. Old Fall River Road also remains closed.
For updated information please call the Trail Ridge Road recorded status line (970) 586-1222 and/or follow us on twitter at RockyNPS (@RockyNPS) / Twitter  Autumn-Colors-on-Old-Fall-River-Road; NPS-photo-by-Ann-Schonlau RMNP UPDATE - October 1, 2022 Old Fall River Road will be closing for the season to vehicles on Monday, October 3. The road will be closed to all uses through Friday, October 7, for park staff to conduct road maintenance. Old Fall River Road will reopen temporarily to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers for Saturday October 8, through Monday, October 10. Starting, Tuesday, October 11, Old Fall River Road will close again to all uses for continued road maintenance through Friday, October 14. On Saturday, October 15, the road will reopen to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers through November 30. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. On December 1, the road will revert to trail status and bicycles and leashed pets will not be allowed on the road.
For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. RMNP Update - September 20, 2022 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is temporarily closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side of the park and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park due to snow and ice on the road at higher elevations. Old Fall River Road has also temporarily closed.
For updated information please call the Trail Ridge Road recorded status line (970) 586-1222 and/or follow us on twitter at RockyNPS (@RockyNPS) / Twitter  Wild Basin Bridge September 2022; NPS/ROMO photo The Saint Vrain Bridge on the Wild Basin Trail is now open to pedestrian traffic. Rocky Mountain National Park trail crews will continue working on the bridge today, putting on the hand rail, as well as early next week.  Wild Basin Bridge Work September 2022; Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park  Recovery efforts on Longs Peak Saturday, September 17 2022; Photo Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park RMNP UPDATE - September 20, 2022 On Sunday, September 18, recovery operations took place for Russell Jacobs, 25, from Westminster, Colorado near the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak. Rocky Mountain National Park's Search and Rescue Team contracted with Trans Aero helicopter to assist with prepositioning park rangers and aerial recovery operations. Jacobs’ body was recovered at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday night by helicopter and transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. Late Friday afternoon, September 16, Jacobs contacted a friend via cellular phone that he was lost and that the weather was deteriorating rapidly. Jacobs was unprepared for winter conditions or to spend an unplanned night at elevations above 13,000 feet. This information was relayed to park rangers. Park rangers were briefly able to contact Jacobs via text message to ascertain his location and learned he was going to try to move toward the Agnes Vaille Shelter. Communication with him was then lost. Members from Rocky Mountain National Park’s Search and Rescue Team began searching in the Boulder Field and Keyhole area of Longs Peak on Friday afternoon. Search efforts were hampered by accumulating snow, ice, 35 plus mile per hour winds, below freezing temperatures, night fall and bitter wind chill. Rangers were able to reach the Agnes Vaille Shelter and could not locate the subject. The search team set up shelter in the Boulder Field overnight in case the subject was still attempting to reach the trailhead. Searchers in the field reported snow and sleet continuing through the night in the search area. Search efforts were started prior to sunrise on Saturday morning. Rangers reported continued winter like conditions in the area. A clearing in the weather allowed for Northern Colorado Med Evac air ambulance to fly over the search area to look for anyone in distress while rangers continued to search in the Boulder Field. The man’s body was located approximately 80 feet above The Ledges by park visitors. The Boulder County Coroner’s office will release the cause of death.  RMNP Search and Rescue Team Members Recovery Efforts Longs Peak September 17, 2022; Photo Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park September 17 2022 |
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