Larimer County Sheriff: Resident Access Credentials Required
As access becomes available to areas affected by the flood, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office will be requiring registration and credentialing to enter these areas and will be limited to residents only. These areas may be accessible only by means other than a regular vehicle. (ATV, hiking, horse, etc.). It is highly recommended that the area of the Big Thompson Canyon (Highway 34) between the mouth of the canyon west to Drake be avoided.
Registration and credentialing are required for those residents attempting to gain access. A photo id and proof of residency (utility bill, tax statements, etc.) must be presented to be issued credentials.
Registration and credentialing will be available at the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office located at 2501 Midpoint Drive in Ft. Collins, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Credentials may also be obtained at the Disaster Assistance Center located at 815 14th Street SW, Building B in Loveland on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 24th & 25th from noon to 7:00 p.m.
In the Estes Park area, credentials are now required and may be obtained at the checkpoint or at the Estes Park Police Department. Residents may access County Road 43 up to Glen Haven with regular vehicles. The Meadowdale area and Highway 34 to mile marker 72 is also open to residents. The Retreat by Glen Haven is open for hikers only..
Residents of Pinewood Springs may also hike in on Highway 36 from the Larimer County side. Credentials are now required for this area and may be obtained at the checkpoint or at the Estes Park Police Department. (UPDATE: I called the Larimer Sheriff’s office to get clarification on documents needed. If you’re Driver’s License has your Pinewood address that is the only proof you will need. If the license has a different address, then you will need a supporting document like a utility bill. – Laura Levy)
Residents attempting to get back to their homes will encounter many unknown hazards and will enter at their own risk. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office cannot guarantee the safety of residents who enter these areas or guarantee that deputies will be available to provide assistance if needed.
Regular patrols are being conducted including patrols by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Posse in the remote areas. Individuals without credentials will be cited.
-via Larimer County Sheriff press release
photo credit: Bob Blanchard via Larimer County Sheriff
Let me see if I understand correctly. We’re being evacuated from our homes by helicopter due to an emergency….and we’re supposed to remember to bring a utility bill????
So now, in order to get permission to access my home I have to wait until a bill shows up…
Anyone know why a drivers license wouldn’t be sufficient?
This is becoming more than annoying.
Ok, I had the same question and was just on the phone with the Larimer PIO… as long as your driver’s license has your Pinewood address then you’re ok. If your DL has another non-resident address, then you need back-up documentation like utility bills. I’ll update this post.
My parents and our house-sitter were evacuated during the flooding, but they will need to get back there until we can get back there ourselves. I’ve just requested to have their names added to our electric bill, but if that doesn’t succeed, does anyone know if a letter from me would work? I am in Africa, so not sure if I can find an acceptable notary, but maybe I could go to the US Embassy if that was what it takes.
Maybe, as supporting evidence, they could also bring the photo of themselves in the Chinook! :)
Aimee, since you are so far away I will call the Larimer sheriff and ask what can be done in this situation, perhaps it is as simple as them riding into the are with other residents? I’ll find out and will reply here today. – Laura Levy
Hi Aimee, I spoke with the sheriff’s office. You would need to send a notorized letter giving them permission. I pressed about the notary and explained that you were in a foreign country but they said that is the way it has to be done. It’s important that anyone in pinewood has the credentials or they could get into trouble.
Thanks Laura, we will do what we can to get the letter to them in time for their arrival next week. I still think they should bring the photo of themselves in the Chinook. ;)
Aimee
Aimee,
Try for an embassy etc., they would be able to provide you a notary.
Hi Bruce and Laura,
Thanks for all the info. Because it would not be possible to send a hard copy of the letter from Gabon to Colorado in time for their arrival and the validity of a scanned letter is dubious, I’ve decided to take a different tack. My dad has power of attorney for me, so I’ve sent him an authorization letter via email, which he will sign on my behalf and have notarized.
Thanks again!
Aimee
Laura,
We are curious if the water in Pinewood is still potable? When we evacuated on 9/16, we were advised that the water would only be drinkable for 5-6 more days; otherwise it would have
to be boiled. We live on Moose Rd, Gate 1. We know about the E-Coli problem in Lyons but wonder what the water situation in Pinewood is? Also, whether phones are operational again. Looks like Century Link has a major problem in our community.
Charlie Pease
Hi Charles, I’m hearing from residents who are still up there that the water is fine.
I should clarify…. Water is still potable on the high side of the community (above (May Ave) and on The west side of the highway.
We were down in Lyons this morning. We know about getting
into Pinewood from the Estes side buts when we spoke to the people in Lyons they said there is no way up to Pinewood, except hiking of course. What we need to know in we come down from Estes and hike into Pinewood, can we bring down a car from there to Lyons via ANY road or path?
I don’t believe there is any way to get a car into Lyons. The 4x road that was cut i. For the caravan is closed and is being patrolled by Larimer county sheriff. Any other trails n the are are suitable for hiking or dirt biking but not vehicles.
I understand that CDOT and the Army Corps of Engineers are planning on opening 1 lane (gravel I believe) of 36 from Estes into Pinewood today. Does anyone have any information about this? I’m wondering if I can get my camper out on this road, assuming it exists.
That must be a rumor. I just heard from someone who dropped people off at the break in the roD. They started work on the road but you still have to walk across it
I just hiked out of Pinewood a few hours ago. There is not a driving road yet. The NG is working very hard and getting a lot done but there is not a road from Estes to Pinewood yet.
We’re also out of state but our son got the water line cut (per “official” recommendation) before he evacuated but the baseboard hot water lines would not drain nor the water pressure tank. Not sure if there’s a way to prevent freezing. Saw where the stage road may open. Can we get a contractor in to take care of our system ? What documentation will they need ?