Adams County board sets park hours, bans ATVs except for special events

The Adams County Board of Supervisors voted to set regular county park hours from sunrise to 10 p.m. and prohibited all‑terrain vehicles outside permitted special events, a policy supervisors said is meant to reduce dangerous after‑hours activity.

Board members debated start and end times at length before approving an amended motion giving staff authority to post signs and to allow exceptions for sanctioned events. A supervisor said enforcement is intended to mirror city practices: "The city has signs posted telling you when they locked the gate," the supervisor said, urging consistent signage and enforcement.

Supporters pointed to recent incidents and drag‑racing behavior in parks, saying ATV use has led to injuries and rescue responses. "When the ATVs come out of drag races ... that's what we've been seeing in the last day," one supervisor said, arguing that the ban would help curb dangerous behavior before summer. Another supervisor urged common‑sense enforcement and left limited discretion to the chair for disaster situations.

The board approved the amendment by voice vote; members said special events may receive prior authorization to allow ATVs when appropriate. The board directed staff to draft signage and implementation details and to coordinate with the sheriff’s office on enforcement.

The policy change was approved during the regular meeting after public safety concerns and multiple supervisor reports of after‑hours problems at county parks. The board moved into executive session later in the agenda on unrelated personnel and contract matters.