Over The River opponents lose state court appeal

The Colorado Court of Appeals has rejected an appeal from a group opposing the artist Christo’s plans to drape a stretch of the Arkansas River with fabric.

Rags Over the Arkansas River, or ROAR, argued that the Colorado State Parks approval of the Over The River project should be thrown out because the agency didn’t follow its special permit regulations. In a ruling Thursday, the court agreed that the procedures weren’t followed but let the approval stand because the agency had evidence to support its decision.

The decision follows another legal victory for the project in January. A federal court ruled then that the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of the project didn’t violate environmental laws.

Opponents are appealing that decision and say they may also appeal the state parks ruling.