Ocelot Cliff, Evergreen CO

I have climbed at Ocelot for quite a while until the signs went up. In fact I think one of Marks first climbs was there. Anyways, I don't think access here should be closed to climbers. I think that Denvers blanket ban on climbing should at least be modified to exclude this area. Biggest problem I can see with access though is parking.

It seems like we ought to be able to solve this problem. It doesn't have any of the obvious risks that Red Rocks has, and an easement already exists. Plus the fact that they've granted access for SAR training indicates some amount of flexibility. Its never going to be a destination crag, so I don't think over-crowding will ever be a problem.

Is it really best to work this through the Access Fund? Perhaps we should start a letter-writing campaing to DMP directly, at least to let them know we're interested and we're not going away. I think it would be useful to at least learn what DMP's concerns are; perhaps we can figure out a way to address them.

If liability is the big issue, perhaps we can suggest a waiver process a la the old Garden of the Gods procedure.

fair enough, you want to write to AJ Tripp-Addison. He's already gone over concerns, which would make sense if they addressed all recreational users; but they don't. And, in fairness to him, he's not in a position to effect a policy change where it needs to occur; it's more a council matter.

In reality, if you review the concerns that are presented, the entire area should be cordoned off to everyone and surrounding homes should be immediately condemned to abate the issues that have been brought up as the foundation for prohibiting technical climbing. My point being that these issues are not specific to climbing, they have only been used (rather, mis-used) to correlate to why climbing is such a perceived problem for the area.

There is no liability when it comes to naturally occurring features like cliffs as long as no monies are charged for use; cliffs are not man-made attractive nuisances.

I feel it's all just about keeping climbers off the rocks so the surrounding homeowners can have their own park.

Count me as another interested in helping out. Most of my Ocelot climbing was in the mid to late 80's but I continued to go back now and then. Would love to take my kids up there to climb.

Do you think it would be more productive to work this through the city council, rather than DMP? It sounds like they have the real authority.

Tell us more about the JeffCo land swap. Is there hope that this will be helpful?

I led it today through semi-Scottish conditions -- come & git me..

Good on you Buff! I'm jealous now. I'll have to keep my rack in my car and wait for a foggy day. I think I'll be heading for somewhere a little more legal in the platte today.

If you guys are still passionate about this, you should get involved in the Denver Climbers' Coalition. Denver Mountain Parks has actually agreed to finally sit down with climbers and listen to our concerns.

We should be meeting with them on behalf of climbers sometime in the next month. We are hearing an openness in them to talk about their concerns with climbers that has never before existed. We don't know where it will lead to, but this is a first in itself and we are optimistic.

If you want to know more, email me.
If you want to be part of this and make a difference, join our group.

denverclimbers@yahoo.com

I’ve started a new post re surfacing this topic and have contacted the AF again. Im super local (3 minutes from the school) and would love to know more about the access for climbing. Funny thing is, I also rig shows at RR and completely understand why climbing isn’t allowed there. Would appreciate information on where this was left? 

Hi, I know this is a very old thread.  I've heard that the no-climbing signs are no longer there.  I'm curious where the effort was left off and if we can resurrect the effort to gain access to OC.

Ben Hobgoodwrote:

Hi, I know this is a very old thread.  I've heard that the no-climbing signs are no longer there.  I'm curious where the effort was left off and if we can resurrect the effort to gain access to OC.

Sending you a DM. 

I am also very interested in where the discussions about this area ended up. I would love a "legal" chance at some of these routes

Caleb Wilkinswrote:

I am also very interested in where the discussions about this area ended up. I would love a "legal" chance at some of these routes

Send me a DM and I will share some beta. Its all second hand and hearsay so I would not feel comfortable posting it publicly.

Resurrecting this thread again. Was up there today and couldn’t find the easement, poked around quite a bit before feeling like I was trespassing and leaving. Would love any info folks can provide on current status and access, public or DM

I would be interested as well on updated info regarding the area. Drive by it often, good memories. Would like my kids to enjoy the area if they can.