Boulder Leader

City of Boulder issued the following announcement on Dec. 4.

The City of Boulder reminds community members and open space visitors that the Boulder Star area on Flagstaff Mountain is closed to prevent gatherings amid increasing cases of COVID-19 and to help stop natural resource damage in the area. No designated, maintained trail leads to the Boulder Star. 

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) welcomes community members to view the star from open space and park locations, including: 

South of Boulder

• Cowdrey Draw
• Coalton
• Greenbelt Plateau
• Marshall Mesa / Marshall Valley

East of Boulder

• Dry Creek
• Cherryvale Trailhead
• Davidson Mesa
• East Boulder-White Rocks
• East Boulder-Gunbarrel Hill
• South Boulder Creek 
• Sawhill Ponds

Near or on Flagstaff Mountain

• Chautauqua Park
• Flagstaff Trail
• Panorama Point (closed to parking between 12 a.m. and 5.a.m.)
• Four Pines
• Viewpoint

Parks in Boulder

• North Boulder Park
• East Boulder Community Park

Since the Boulder Star was relit on Veterans Day, OSMP Rangers have seen numerous visitors – many of whom are not in the same household – enter the Boulder Star closure area. The department reminds visitors to stay away from the area, which often sees large gatherings over the years, amid the rise in COVID-19 cases across the area.

With the Boulder Star's recent lighting, Rangers have issued warnings to people who may not have been aware that the area was closed. They also have had to remove extensive amounts of trash. To limit additional gatherings in the area, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) will close the Halfway House parking lot on Flagstaff Mountain.

Parking is extremely limited on Flagstaff Mountain. Visitors may receive parking tickets if their cars are illegally parked. They also can receive citations for entering the Boulder Star closure area, which may lead to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail. The Boulder Chamber has agreed to turn off the Boulder Star light every evening at midnight if people continue to gather in the closure area.

Anyone planning to visit city open space must follow these responsible recreation behaviors:

• Be courteous. Many visit the outdoors for peace and solitude.
• Do not visit trails with anyone outside of your household.
• Always bring a face covering to open space. Place it over your nose and mouth when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from others at trails and trailheads. Remember: It’s nearly impossible to maintain 6 feet of distance at all times on OSMP trails.
• Keep the space in open space! Always stay at least 6 feet from others you don’t live with or haven’t agreed to have close contact with.
• Wear appropriate gear as trails may be icy and slick.
• Walk through the mud and keep off the vegetation when stepping off trail.

The city recognizes that the lighting of the Boulder Star and hiking to the area has been an enjoyable experience for many community members. However, OSMP closed the area around the Boulder Star when it was relit in March to prevent trespass in the closed area and avoid illegal gatherings as well as encourage safe behavior amid COVID-19. In October, the city announced it would continue the closure in the area because of ongoing COVID-19, safety and ecological concerns.

Original source can be found here.