Public Tip Leads to Quick Graffiti Cleanup at Hartman Rocks
GUNNISON, Colo. – A pressure washer and scrubbing tools aren't exactly typical hiking gear. But when a visitor reported graffiti near the Bambi Trailhead, southwest of Gunnison, that's what two Bureau of Land Management employees packed for a trip into Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.
Keith Carson, an outdoor recreation planner with the BLM Gunnison Field Office in Colorado's Southwest District, led the cleanup effort. He and a fellow employee removed the graffiti and restored the rock outcropping to its natural appearance within 24 hours of the report.
“When people report damage, we pay attention,” said Carson. “We can't be everywhere, and the public is often the first to notice something wrong. Those tips help us know where to look and what needs attention. We want people to know it's worth making that call.”
Hartman Rocks features more than 14,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands near Gunnison and is a popular destination for mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping and other outdoor activities.
Cleaning up vandalism takes staff time and funding that could otherwise go toward maintaining trails, recreation facilities and other improvements. Defacing natural features on public lands is illegal and can result in fines and up to a year in jail. BLM law enforcement has documented the incident.
If you see vandalism or other illegal activity on BLM-managed lands in southwest Colorado, report it. Contact the BLM Colorado Southwest District Law Enforcement Tip Line toll-free at 833-660-5771 or email TRFOtipline@blm.gov.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.