Council approves seasonal closure of East Canyon Road through 910 Ranch; public raises tree‑cutting and access concerns

The Summit County Council voted Nov. 29 to adopt an ordinance authorizing seasonal closure of the Summit County portion of East Canyon Road that crosses the 910 Ranch, setting an effective date of Dec. 8 for the 2023–24 winter season. The county framed the closure under state highway‑authority authority (Title 72), citing repeated winter rescues and the historic lack of county winter maintenance for that Class‑B road. The ordinance closes the road to motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles and ATVs) while maintaining access for pedestrians, skiers and other non‑motorized uses; the text includes an exception allowing county‑authorized travel (for maintenance or emergency services) if granted in writing.

Public commenters raised two distinct concerns: conservation advocates described a recent clearing of healthy aspen at the 910 and asked the county to commission an ecological review and to consider a longer‑term conservation management plan; a local sled‑dog trainer said seasonal closure would curtail required training that uses snowmobiles or tracked vehicles and asked whether a permitting process or an administrative exception could allow limited, accountable motorized use for commercial training operations. Staff said county attorneys were drafting a narrow administrative exception; the county is prepared to work on a permitting framework to treat comparable users equally. Several nearby property owners said they are negotiating access waivers and the county plans to finalize a written agreement (and to make limited exemptions for property owners and emergency responders).

Council approved the closure with an effective start of Dec. 8 to give property owners a short window to finalize waiver agreements; staff will return with any additional permit language and draft exceptions for council consideration.