Court decision keeps OHV traffic off roads in Eldorado National Forest

Portions of 42 off-highway-vehicle routes that cross meadows in the Eldorado National Forest may be closed to motor vehicle travel this recreation season while the U.S. Forest Service completes an environmental analysis.

The potential travel prohibitions are the result of a February court order by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton. The order said the Forest Service failed to comply with the National Forest Management Act in 2008 when it designated “open for public motor vehicle use” portions of 42 routes that cross meadows.

A final court order with further direction to the Forest Service is pending. In the interim, Karlton ordered that the 42 routes are to remain closed to public wheeled motorized use. The final court order will identify specifically where travel will be prohibited until a new environmental decision is made.

The Rubicon Trail is not affected by this court order.

A map and a complete list of the routes affected by the court order is posted on the Eldorado National Forest website. The map will be modified to reflect the final court order once it is received.