What’s being done about illegal dirt biking in El Paso County

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - A 13-year-old boy faces life-threatening injuries after a dirt bike crash in El Paso County on Monday.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 13-year-old battles life-threatening injuries following dirt bike crash

On Tuesday, a juvenile was injured in a crash involving a truck in El Paso County, according to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP).

MORE INFORMATION: Juvenile injured in dirt bike and truck collision

On Wednesday, 13 Investigates got in contact with some of the private property owners at 10150 Rolling Ridge Road, where the dirt bike crash happened on Monday, the abandoned Appletree Golf Course. The owners say that the dirt bike riding has become a nuisance. They tell 13 Investigates they've even been in contact with the Fountain Police Department (FPD) about doing proactive patrols in the area. The owners say they were going to work out a contract with the department to patrol the area on weekends when they see an increase in juvenile dirt bike activity.

FPD says that while the department was in talks with the private property owners about a contract, it never came to fruition. FPD did confirm to 13 Investigates that there's a signed trespass letter for the abandoned golf course. The department also confirmed officers do patrol checks in the area.

Since May, FPD tells 13 Investigates it has received 43 calls for service to the abandoned golf course.

FPD noted that to cite someone for trespassing on the abandoned golf course, officers need to be called to the area, make contact with those trespassing, and confirm their identity. The department also explained that many times when officers get on scene, the people who are reportedly trespassing are already gone.

Owners of the private property say they've previously been asked by people in the neighborhood if they could dirt bike on the abandoned golf course, and they said no due to it being a liability. They say they installed no trespassing signs and no motorized vehicle signs to warn people not to ride motorized bikes in the area.

As of Wednesday, CSP is investigating the crash. They are also working to update us on the condition of the 13-year-old boy.

Family friends of the 13-year-old say he is fighting for his life, and they're asking for prayers for him and his family. Another family friend said that this is not a time to say 'I told you so.' Instead, they say right now is a time to come together for support, compassion and love.

13 Investigates spoke with a Fountain City Councilmember about the repeated calls to FPD about trespassing at the abandoned golf course.

"I don't know what the correct answer is or what we need to do about it. I feel like the city is doing everything it can. We can't have a policeman posted there 24/7 to keep the kids out," said Councilwoman Marcia Gieck, who represents Ward 3.

Councilwoman Gieck said that she extended her yard to try and curb kids on dirt bikes from coming near her front door.

"It was extensive, but we were willing to do it to try to protect our interests and our home," explained Gieck.

She says the private property owner has also tried to put up signage regarding trespassing and fences to partially block the area.

"The owner of the property has done pretty much what he can do. He put up a fence around the clubhouse. They cut the fence open. They have no respect for us if we come out and tell them that they shouldn't be out here. They flip us off or worse," said Gieck.

Gieck claims that people trespassing have ripped down the trespassing warning signs many times. She says at the end of the day, it's up to the parents to supervise their children, not only at the abandoned golf course, but at all abandoned properties in Fountain.

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