We're working to protect and expand free public access to private and public land in Colorado. Our goal is to strengthen the state’s recreational use statue and provide stronger liability protection for landowners.

The Colorado Recreational Use Statute (CRUS) protects free public access to land for hiking, climbing, and other recreation.

Outdoor recreation is an important part of Colorado culture and the economy, employing 125,000 workers and contributing $11.6 billion to the state. While Colorado is home to huge tracts of public land, growing recreation demands mean privately owned or managed land also play a critical role.

Recognizing the public interest in accessing private land for recreation, the state created the Colorado Recreational Use Statute (CRUS) to provide liability protection to landowners that allow public recreational use of their land free of charge.

Many landowners have lost confidence in the protections of the CRUS and are closing their land to the public.

For many years, the CRUS worked to protect landowners and incentivize open access for hiking, climbing, and biking. However, a recent lawsuit demonstrated that the current version of the CRUS leaves landowners vulnerable to liability for recreational injuries on their property if they fail to adequately warn them of all known hazards.

This development created a growing chilling effect as landowners, concerned about liability and lawsuits, closed access to their land, including areas where they previously allowed access. Five Colorado 14ers, dozens of trails, and hundreds of acres of land have closed to the public, with many more at risk of closing in the future.

The Fix CRUS Coalition is working to make more private lands accessible for public recreation - but we need your help to do it.

Colorado is growing. Outdoor recreation is getting more popular each year. Millions of visitors flock to our state each year. We need access to more land, more trails, and more wild spaces than ever. The Fix CRUS Coalition is working to restore, protect, and expand public recreation access on private lands by strengthening ths CRUS. 

Learn more about the impacts of the current status quo below –  or take action now.

What Does the CRUS Protect?

Hiking and Backpacking

Five fourteeners, dozens of thirteeners, and miles of hiking trails are located on private land. Some are already closed and many more are at risk.

Protect Access to the Peaks and Trails You Love

Take action to restore access to peaks like Mount Lindsey and Mount Lincoln for hiking and peak bagging.
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Rock Climbing

Bouldering, lead and trad climbing routes are often found on private property, with access dependent on their willingness to accept potential liability risk.

Keep Climbing Areas Open and Accessible to the Public

Take action to preserve and expand access to pristene lead and trad climbing routes all across Colorado.
Take Action Now

Mountain Biking

Many mountain biking areas remain closed due to the liability concerns associated with the sport - and now current areas may close too.

Support Expanding Mountain Biking Access in Colorado

Stronger liability protections help convince landowners to allow mountain biking on their property.
Take Action Now

Meet our Coalition Members

Our collaborative approach includes non-profits, small businesses and large corporations, government agencies and local governments, land managers and land owners, and many others who support free public access to recreation in Colorado. Meet all of our members and how to join the coalition below.

Become a Coalition Member Today

Do you support public recreation access on private lands? Register your business, non-profit, or government agency as a member of the Fix CRUS Coalition to endorse this solution, support our work and stay updated in the future. Learn more or get started below.

Take Action Now

Sign and Share the CRUS Change.org Petition

Join the 1,300+ hikers and climbers who have signed our petition urging lawmakers to address this situation by strengthening the CRUS. 

Join our Grassroots Support Group on Facebook

This group is a place for individual supporters of the coalition to network, get organized, and advocate to strengthen the CRUS.

Contact Your Senator and Representative About The CRUS

The best way to help fix the CRUS is to contact your legislator and raise awareness.  Our guide below explains how to do it.

Recent Coalition Blog Posts