Campground in Cascade refuses to close for COVID-19, cites confusion

CASCADE, Colo. (KRDO) - One private campground in Cascade is still open as of Monday, after the El Paso County Public Health called and advised its closure.

Lone Duck Campground at the base of Pikes Peak off highway 24 hosts RVs, cabins, and tent sites. It opened May 1st for its regular season.

Management would not do an on-camera interview Sunday, citing death threat concerns, but said they were confused and thought private campgrounds could still be open.

The owner told us they're implementing strict social distancing and sanitization methods on the campground. He also said it hasn't been all that busy - making it much easier to make sure people are keeping their distance.

We called several other private campgrounds in the area. Fountain Creek RV Park in Colorado Springs responded, and said it's still open, and qualifies to be, under the health order because it houses long-term residents.

The owner at Lone Duck argues his campground serves a similar purpose. He explained that many of the visitors over the last few weeks were staying there because they were waiting for housing, or burying a loved one in the area.

In a statement to KRDO, EPC Public Health said, "Under the [state] Public Health Order, campgrounds are not currently permitted to be open. Public Health did contact Lone Duck, and we are working to provide them clarification and education with respect to the current public health order."

Governor Polis announced Monday that starting Tuesday, May 12, Coloradans may begin booking campsites at campgrounds in state parks where host counties that would like them open.

Sites are told they must observe social distance and sanitation guidelines and accept campers by reservation only.

The governor noted this is not a request for counties to open their campgrounds, but if they choose to do so, counties can work with the Department of Public Health and Environment and Department of Natural Resources to do so as safely as possible.

Coloradans are still encouraged to recreate locally.