Similarly, a ski area safety advocacy group called Safe Slopes Colorado recently proposed an amendment to the Colorado Ski Safety Act, titled Ski Area Safety Plans and Accident Reporting (SB21-184). It would require ski areas to “adopt and disclose safety plans, disclose seasonal ski accident statistics, and maintain an accident database.”
This legislation was sponsored by Colorado Senators Jessie Danielson and Tammy Story. It was also sponsored by many Colorado citizens, who considered the Bill a “no brainer.” Many of these supporters suffered severe injuries on the slopes, or even the loss of a loved one, and were denied access to basic information. For example, Denver resident Danilda Polanco’s 18-year-old nephew, Etthan Mañon. Mañon died skiing at Echo Mountain, despite ski patrollers reporting that only he had a broken arm. The family was not able to determine Etthan’s actual cause of death. This is because Echo Mountain refused to provide any further information. Ms. Polanco strongly advocated for this legislation. It would require ski areas to publish detailed seasonal data on ski injuries and fatalities, as well as detailed incident reports.
Not surprisingly, the Bill was staunchly opposed by the Colorado ski area lobby. This includes Colorado Ski Country USA, which represents nearly every Colorado ski area. Unfortunately, the ski industry was able to convince the Colorado Senate’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee to vote down this proposed safety legislation. It was never brought for a vote before the full Senate.
Despite this setback, Bloch & Chapleau continues its efforts. We propose legislation to require Colorado ski areas to:
Coloradoans and the guests who visit this state are entitled to this critical information.
Maximum Daily Ski/Snowboarder Capacity As we covered in our last blog on 12/8/23, a Utah…
VAIL RESORTS LOSES LAWSUIT Vail Resorts Loses Lawsuit Due to Overcrowding on Their Slopes A…
Vail Increases Fines As the 2023-2024 ski season begins, prospective guests of Vail Ski Resort…
Adults learning to ski and snowboarding will soon have a new option designed specifically for…
The Vail Daily and Colorado Sun recently reported that at least 17 people died on…
Loveland Ski Patrollers Petition to Unionize Ski patrollers and paramedics at the Loveland Ski Area…