Crowd swells at Rainbow gathering

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - The throng of campers at the Rainbow Family annual gathering in northern Colorado swelled to about 10,000 over the weekend, but there were no reports of clashes between campers and law enforcement, the National Forest Service said Monday.

Campers are in a drought-parched area of the Routt National Forest where many trees have been killed by beetles, prompting officials to voice worries about fire danger. The Forest Service added helicopter patrols Monday, in case recent lightning strikes in the area have left any smoldering vegetation that could ignite a blaze.

The Rainbow Family is a loose affiliation of hippies who choose a National Forest each year to hold a weeklong national gathering.

Routt Forest spokeswoman Diann Ritschard said Monday the Forest Service expects the crowd to peak for Tuesday's planned Circle of Peace group prayer service. Beginning Wednesday, Ritschard said authorities expect heavy traffic 30 miles from the gathering into the resort town of Steamboat Springs. Traffic enforcement will be heavy, she said.

About 75 law enforcement officers from the Forest Service, Colorado State Patrol, Routt County and neighboring counties have been patrolling the campsite and adjoining roads. After issuing about 500 federal citations, most for camping illegally without required permits, Ritschard said officers are focusing now on resource management.

The forest has been "tremendously impacted" by campers who have dug communal fire pits and latrines and created a network of paths, Ritschard said.