What’s the best way to protect North Star Nature Preserve?

Hundreds of vehicles continue to visit a popular forest area straddling the Roaring Fork River east of Aspen, results from a 2023 study show.

“On weekends, there were as many as 100-plus inbound vehicles per day. We found 50 to 75 vehicles on the weekdays,” Steve Lawson, a senior project manager for DJ&A who helped conduct the study, said of North Star Nature Preserve. “Hourly data showed a weekend traffic peak around 10 a.m., with outbound traffic increasing in the early afternoon.”

The study and ongoing concerns regarding overcrowding, ecological impacts, and visitor experience at the 245-acre area south of Colorado Highway 82 were further addressed on Thursday by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees and staff. 

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Prior to 2024, a diverse stakeholder group was assembled, including representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), local neighborhoods, commercial operators, and public users to address growing concerns at North Star. This collaboration aimed to provide a comprehensive approach to managing the area effectively.

In December 2023, the board authorized a Visitor Use Management (VUM) study and a review of ecological monitoring protocols. The VUM study gathered data on North Star traffic counts, river use, parking capacity, and visitor surveys to understand usage patterns and their effects. 

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“We measured current conditions by camera, stationed to take pictures on a five or ten-minute interval of the Roaring Fork River in the North Star area,” Lawson said. “This gave us a representative view of what it’s like to float the river on the North Star Preserve.”

He explained that photo simulations were used to gauge public tolerance for crowding. Survey respondents were also asked about group size and their reasons for visiting. 

“The majority of people went with family, while the second largest group went with friends,” he noted.

With three public access points, the study revealed that most visitors launched at the Wildwood or South Gate put-ins. Meanwhile, visitors reported floating durations ranging from 1-2 hours, with motivations including enjoying natural scenery, family time, and immersion in the river environment. 

“This is what makes all of this so interesting and a balancing act for managing these areas,” he noted.

Lawson concluded that 64% of river users were Colorado residents, highlighting the local interest in the preserve. An additional virtual presentation of the findings was scheduled for Jan. 21, followed by working group discussions in February and March, an online public survey in April and May, and a public meeting in late spring.

During the meeting, Trustee Michael Kinsley questioned the study’s focus on those present at the preserve. 

“What about the people who are concerned about crowding who were not present due to crowding?” he asked. Kinsley expressed greater concern over the ecological impacts of heavy use than visitor perceptions of crowding.

As part of the ecological review, Dr. Chris Monz collaborated with the DJ&A team to peer-review existing monitoring protocols. This effort aimed to evaluate data collection methods and management strategies to prioritize ecological health. A progress update on the review will accompany the VUM findings at a later date.

Crowding at river take-out points, particularly near Highway 82, emerged as another concern. Discussions included enforcement measures, permits, and introducing a pay-to-park system, suggested by Trustee Howie Mallory.

Open Space and Trails Director Gary Tennenbaum emphasized that the planning process was in its early stages. 

“We are updating the plan, and this will set the stage for the next five years,” Tennenbaum said. “The good thing is, today is just starting the wheels of thinking, and everyone will get the other reports and more public feedback.”

The draft 2025 management plan is expected to be presented to the Open Space and Trails Board and the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners by June for review and feedback.