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SUMMIT COUNTY — Drivers on the Dillon Dam Road this week may have noticed a decrease in security patrol at either end of the dam, after local law-enforcement patrols were removed from surveillance duties Monday night.
Denver Water’s agreement with local law-enforcement agencies to patrol the dam entrances was designed to expire before the holidays, and officials said that added security measures provide adequate protection to the dam.
Over the last few months Denver Water crews have been installing “pop-up” barriers at either end of the dam that can be remotely activated should a vehicle over 13,000 pounds attempt to cross.
Vehicles pulling trailers, RVs and cargo vans are also prohibited from crossing the dam, and drivers that fail to obey the traffic-control device will be fined $100.
“We’re comfortable with the combination of the new “pop-up” barriers and guard enforcement on the road at this point,” said Denver Water spokeswoman Stacy Chesney. “The majority of the work is completed, and we should have everything wrapped up by Christmas.”
Police presence on the road was part of a temporary security solution agreed upon by Denver Water and local law-enforcement officials in August, almost a month after the road was closed abruptly for three weeks for unspecified security concerns.
“We’ve made a big step in resolving some of these issues we have had for decades,” Summit County Sheriff John Minor said. “The dam is a critical piece of infrastructure, and we want to make sure we are working together to strike a balance between public access and security needs.”
Security details on the Dam Road were divided between four law-enforcement agencies, and off-duty officers had the opportunity to sign up for eight-hour shifts for $42 an hour.
“We’re glad not to have the pressure of putting people out there,” Minor said. “But obviously if national threat levels change, that may be a deciding factor in what we do down the road.”
Denver Water is still participating in talks with county officials to reach an agreement on how the road will be monitored in the future.
“Both sides are working together, and we feel good about the line of communication we have going,” Chesney said, adding that the Dillon Dam security task force is still developing a long-term and permanent solution.
Denver Water’s agreement with local law-enforcement agencies to patrol the dam entrances was designed to expire before the holidays, and officials said that added security measures provide adequate protection to the dam.
Over the last few months Denver Water crews have been installing “pop-up” barriers at either end of the dam that can be remotely activated should a vehicle over 13,000 pounds attempt to cross.
Vehicles pulling trailers, RVs and cargo vans are also prohibited from crossing the dam, and drivers that fail to obey the traffic-control device will be fined $100.
“We’re comfortable with the combination of the new “pop-up” barriers and guard enforcement on the road at this point,” said Denver Water spokeswoman Stacy Chesney. “The majority of the work is completed, and we should have everything wrapped up by Christmas.”
Police presence on the road was part of a temporary security solution agreed upon by Denver Water and local law-enforcement officials in August, almost a month after the road was closed abruptly for three weeks for unspecified security concerns.
“We’ve made a big step in resolving some of these issues we have had for decades,” Summit County Sheriff John Minor said. “The dam is a critical piece of infrastructure, and we want to make sure we are working together to strike a balance between public access and security needs.”
Security details on the Dam Road were divided between four law-enforcement agencies, and off-duty officers had the opportunity to sign up for eight-hour shifts for $42 an hour.
“We’re glad not to have the pressure of putting people out there,” Minor said. “But obviously if national threat levels change, that may be a deciding factor in what we do down the road.”
Denver Water is still participating in talks with county officials to reach an agreement on how the road will be monitored in the future.
“Both sides are working together, and we feel good about the line of communication we have going,” Chesney said, adding that the Dillon Dam security task force is still developing a long-term and permanent solution.
