Lefthand Canyon closed to shooting

By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post

Article Last Updated: 03/28/2008 02:28:42 PM MDT


Part of Lefthand Canyon near Boulder has been closed to recreational shooting because of the irresponsible discharge of firearms that have endangered people using an off-highway road nearby, U.S. Forest officials said.
The 30-acre site is known as the "Slot Canyon Area," and is adjacent to Lefthand Canyon Drive at mile post 4.5, according to District Ranger Christine Walsh.
She said people using the area have been subject to "near misses" and that vandalism and other forms of boisterous behavior have resulted in the closing to recreational shooters.
"This is a last resort," said Walsh. "If we don't do something immediately, someone will get hurt. We are closing the smallest area possible to prevent an injury and provide for public safety."
She said people with firearms have shot over a natural backstop causing bullets to cross the heavily used off-highway road above the shooting area. In addition, Forest Service signs in the area have been used for target practice.
Walsh said this has all occurred despite increased patrols of the canyon.
Kent Ingram, past president of the Colorado Wildlife Federation and a member of the Front Range Shooting Partners, said that although recreational shooting is a legitimate use of public lands, the closure of the area is "necessary and regrettable."
Ingram said it is necessary because of the safety issues and regrettable "because the public has essentially zero shooting facilities along the Colorado Front Range on public lands.
"This action reinforces the need for us to work hard to provide safe and sustainable recreational shooting areas along the Front Range," Ingram added.
The closure is immediate, taking affect today.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com