The Steamboat Pilot & Today

I noticed that a certain Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. executive is adamantly opposed to anyone floating on water that passes by his property.

Well, I live near the Steamboat Ski Area and I, too, get irritated when I look out my window and see thousands of people sliding down Mount Werner all winter. Maybe I'll start a coalition to keep people out of public spaces as it interferes with my enjoyment of these public spaces.

How ironic that a person who lives in a tourist town and encourages tourist activities is suddenly upset about people engaging in such activities when they do so close to his home. Get real. It doesn't take 20-20 vision to see the "not in my back yard" double standard being employed here.

No one owns the river water. Sure, some people acquire rights to use it, but no one owns it. This creative license that residents along the Elk River are taking is absurd. I would like to see the deeds to those properties. I doubt it mentions ownership of the river water anywhere.

The Legislature established that there is no criminal liability for such "alleged" trespass, but what about criminal liability for those intending to prevent the floating? Here is a short list compiled by a friend of mine: C.R.S. 18-9-107. Obstructing highway or other passageway; C.R.S. 18-9-108. Disrupting lawful assembly; C.R.S. 18-9-106. Disorderly conduct; and C.R.S. 18-9-111. Harassment - stalking.

Before you go scaring everyone out of the river with your exclusive attitudes, you might want to consider where you could end up.

Adam Mayo

Steamboat Springs