It’s days away from when peak fall colors are set to start popping up around the state, the local law enforcement in Colorado is cautioning against making a certain type of mistake that could have big financial consequences.

Those who have been following the headlines lately can probably already guess what that mistake is – illegal parking – and leaf peepers should expect to see a crackdown on this dangerous practice this fall.

One spot in particular where officials have promised to punish rule breakers is on Guanella Pass, one of the most popular spots statewide to go hunting for leaves of yellow and golden hues. Not only will illegal parkers risk a citation of $87.50, vehicles may also be towed (something that’s already been happening over recent days), which can present an entirely new set of problems – imagine coming back from an excursion into the woods to find yourself without a vehicle on top of a mountain pass, plus there will be additional costs associated with that.

Issues on this pass, in particular, are amplified by the popularity of Mount Bierstadt, with hikers of the peak often flooding the main parking lot near the summit of the pass early-on each day of the week.

As officials have stressed, illegal parking on the roadside not only creates a more dangerous situation for drivers trying to navigate in two directions on what essentially becomes a one-lane road, it can also hamper an emergency response, with large rescue, medical, and fire vehicles likely to have an even more difficult time squeezing through limited lanes.

Those headed to Guanella Pass during upcoming weeks can probably also expect slower moving traffic, as with people more hesitant to park illegally, some may opt to simply peep from their vehicles at a roll. Slowing down to a roll or making brief stops in the roadway is discouraged, too. Moving with the flow of traffic is recommended.

If you’re looking to get the best shot at a positive leaf peeping experience on Guanella Pass, arrive early – or plan on checking out the scene from your vehicle and expect heavy traffic to be present.

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