MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) — A protection and safety fence on the Dakota Ridge Trail was vandalized on Monday.

Jefferson County Open Space installed the fence Monday, near the bottom of the Dakota Ridge Trail.
Community Connections Manager Matt Robbins, says cyclists had been cutting off the trail near the bottom, and flying into the roadway below. 

“We absolutely identified this was a risk to anybody who may be walking or traveling up or down that hill on the roadside,” Robbins said. 

Robbins says crews installed 56 feet of fencing Monday, but when rangers returned Tuesday morning, the entire fence was gone. 

“Someone, or some group of people, decided to go up, clearly after dark, and remove the fence, cutting the fence, and then cutting down all the posts of that 56 feet,” he says. 

The vandalism was cheered by some on social media, one man saying “I had nothing to do with this or know anything, but I’m glad it’s gone. You are destroying the natural area with your ham-handed approach.”

Another person responded saying “JCOS – unbelievable you guys would go and destroy the rock and landscape to add “your” fence. That cable is more dangerous than the ledge that’s been ridden plenty by the MTB crowd. Shame on you guys.”

Robbins says he understands the frustration, but says the decision was made with safety as the top priority. 

“These small holes that were put in so we could put in this fence, that was part of the decision that had to be made, to keep people safe,” he says. “It just wasn’t safe, and that’s why our team went out this morning and put up new fence, and we hope it remains for everyone’s safety.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Jeffco Open Space or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.