PITKIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS ACTIVE PROJECTS
  • Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Active Projects
  • Penny Hot Springs Management
  • Redstone Parks and Open Space
  • North Star Parking
  • Rio Grande Trail Connection
  • OST Programs and Projects
  • E-bikes in Pitkin County
  • Sky Mountain Park Resource Management
  • Emma Townsite Future Use
  • Redstone to McClure Pass Trail
  • Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Department Website

Penny Hot Springs Management

PENNY HOT SPRINGS SURVEY
Penny Hot Springs Encuesta
PRESENTATION TO OPEN SPACE BOARD
PARKING AREA DESIGN OPTIONS OPEN TO INPUT
Options for redesigning the parking area at Penny Hot Springs are now open to a six-week public comment period that concludes Sept. 19th. The designs also include safety improvements for the steep routes to and from the hot springs, between the parking area and the river's edge. Find the link to take a survey on the options above.

Design options and cost estimates were presented to the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board on Aug. 4. The presentation to the board is also available in a link above.

The public comment period will include an Aug. 29th open house/presentation at the Third Street Center in Carbondale from 6:30-8 p.m., a booth at First Friday in Carbondale on Sept. 2 and outreach events onsite at Penny Hot Springs. Adoption of a chosen design by the Open Space and Trails Board is scheduled Oct. 6th. Find the proposed designs and information on existing conditions below. More detailed information is available in the presentation materials provided to the Open Space Board (above).

PENNY HOT SPRINGS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Potential changes to the parking area and improvements to the trail between the parking and the springs are envisioned in a management plan for Penny Hot Springs, adopted in 2020. Find out more about the management actions contained in the plan below.

RULES FOR HOT SPRINGS USE
  • No dogs at springs
  • No camping
  • Leave No Trace – pack in/pack out all items/waste
  • No glass
  • No amplified music
  • No drones

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
See the management plan link below for more about the long and colorful history of Penny Hot Springs, rules for its use, and details about its future management. Here’s a summary of management actions that are spelled out in the plan:

Picture
  • Install a trial port-a-potty in the hot springs pullout (done).
  • Seek a potential spot for an emergency call box at or in the vicinity of the hot springs.
  • Install interpretive signage that offers information about the history of the springs and explains why the special setting is important to protect .
  • Redesign the parking area with a defined entrance and exit, and provide about 10 designated parking spaces. (Design options now under consideration retain all or almost all of the existing parking spaces.) A design that provides a defined entrance and exit from the parking area has been eliminated from consideration by the Open Space and Trails Board due to its high cost and significant reduction in available parking.)
  • Create a single, sustainable trail route between the parking area and the springs, and stabilize/restore the rest of the hillside.
  • Work with CDOT and the U.S. Forest Service on alternate locations for parking to serve climbers accessing an area known as the Narrows.
  • Work with CDOT to delineate a no-passing zone in the southbound lane of Hwy. 133 in the vicinity of the hot springs.
  • Evaluate other property acquisitions that could help alleviate pressure and problems at the hot springs pullout.
PENNY HOT SPRINGS MANAGEMENT PLAN

For more information contact:
Jessie Young, Planning and Outreach Manager, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
jessie.young@pitkincounty.com or 970-429-6169
                                                  
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  • Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Active Projects
  • Penny Hot Springs Management
  • Redstone Parks and Open Space
  • North Star Parking
  • Rio Grande Trail Connection
  • OST Programs and Projects
  • E-bikes in Pitkin County
  • Sky Mountain Park Resource Management
  • Emma Townsite Future Use
  • Redstone to McClure Pass Trail
  • Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Department Website