Officials warn Colorado leaf peepers against parking illegally this fall
Sep 12, 2025, 4:39 PM | Updated: Sep 15, 2025, 8:16 am
I get it, the leaves are so pretty in Colorado this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can park your car just anywhere to get the best views.
Officials have promised to punish rule breakers on Guanella Pass, one of the most popular spots statewide to go hunting for fall leaves. Not only will illegal parkers risk a citation of $87.50, vehicles may also be towed, which will come with additional costs and issues (like no longer having a car to get home).
Reports say the pass will see between 10,000 to 20,000 cars a day and peak weekends could see 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles. The massive influx of visitors seeking fall foliage has created dangerous conditions on the road, with emergency vehicles experiencing delayed response times.
To assist stranded visitors whose cars have been towed, sheriff’s deputies will patrol the pass offering shuttle services, addressing the area’s poor cell service that leaves people unable to call for information about their impounded vehicles.
