{"id":49001,"date":"2021-01-27T11:05:03","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T18:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-to-purgatory-resort-route-a-hotbed-of-activity\/"},"modified":"2021-01-27T18:05:03","modified_gmt":"2021-01-27T18:05:03","slug":"durango-to-purgatory-resort-route-a-hotbed-of-activity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-to-purgatory-resort-route-a-hotbed-of-activity\/","title":{"rendered":"Durango-to-Purgatory Resort route a hotbed of activity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Colorado
Colorado State Patrol trooper Gabe Watkins pulls over a driver Friday on U.S. Highway 550, north of Durango. Watkins and another trooper were assigned to increase patrolling on the highway from Durango to Purgatory Resort.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

New technology allows Colorado State Patrol to pinpoint where hotbeds of activity are, and in winter, the bull\u2019s-eye falls on the 25-mile route from Durango to Purgatory Resort.<\/p>\n

Capt. Adrian Driscoll said every time troopers make a traffic stop or respond to a crash, that incident is logged into a database, which then allows CSP to identify areas where a high amount of activity is occurring.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe rely on our data to show us where the areas are where we can best use our resources,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re consistently re-evaluating where the problem areas are.\u201d<\/p>\n

In winter, one of those target areas is the U.S. Highway 550 corridor between Durango and Purgatory Resort because of the increase in traffic with people going to hit the slopes.<\/p>\n

\"Colorado
Colorado State Patrol says U.S. Highway 550 between Durango and Purgatory Resort becomes a target area in winter as traffic increases with people heading up to the mountain to ski.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Driscoll said the data shows an increase of speeding tickets and DUIs during peak hours that coincide with the ski resort opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime you see an increase in traffic flows, there\u2019s the potential for issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

About a year ago, CSP\u2019s Vehicular Crimes Unit developed the incident logging database, so when troopers clock in, they can pull up a map that shows what roads may be experiencing high use, based on the time and day of the week.<\/p>\n

And the new technology is vital for the best use of CSP\u2019s limited staff, Driscoll said. About 20 troopers are tasked with covering the entire area around Pagosa Springs, Durango and Cortez, he said.<\/p>\n

Target areas shift on a daily basis, Driscoll said. One day, it might be U.S. Highway 160 from Elmore\u2019s Corner to Bayfield, or another day, it might be Highway 550 from Durango to the New Mexico line.<\/p>\n

\"With
With several inches of fresh snow Saturday at Purgatory Resort, skiers and snowboarders filled the parking lots to the point they were parking on subdivision streets east of the resort.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

CSP in the past has partnered with Purgatory Resort on messaging about issues such as parking on the highway, but has never launched a concerted effort about safe driving, Driscoll said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe see an increase, but it\u2019s not overbearing,\u201d Driscoll said. \u201cIt\u2019s not like Interstate 70 going over to Vail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave Rathbun, general manager of Purgatory Resort, said the resort\u2019s staff members constantly monitor for people who may have had too much to drink, but many times, people bring their own alcohol or go drink at bars near the mountain.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not something we can control for every single person,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Dave
Dave Rathbun, general manager of Purgatory Resort, said with the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people are carpooling, resulting in more cars traveling to the resort about 25 miles north of Durango.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Purgatory
Purgatory Resort General Manager Dave Rathbun said one to two people are in each car that drives up to Purgatory Resort, which is out of the ordinary. Rathbun believes fewer people are carpooling because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The big issue with traffic this year, Rathbun said, is more people coming to Purgatory in separate cars, likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing some issues on the highway and at the resort.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot more vehicles on the road,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing one to two people, per vehicle, routinely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris Burke, spokesman for the La Plata County Sheriff\u2019s Office, said CSP takes the bulk of traffic offenses, but deputies will assist situations when needed.<\/p>\n

He noted Highway 550 to Purgatory can become a problem area.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that after the lifts close there\u2019s a mad dash back to Durango,\u201d Burke said. \u201cWe hear more calls on the radio with people calling in speeders or illegal passing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Colorado
Colorado State Patrol troopers Josiah Fuller, left, and Gabe Watkins meet to talk while patrolling U.S. Highway 550 on Friday north of Durango. CSP has relatively new technology that helps troopers identify areas of increased activity.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Law enforcement around the region is trying to fine-tune where resources should be deployed.<\/p>\n

Durango Police Department Cmdr. Ray Shupe said the agency recently hired a crime analyst that analyzes crime data \u2013 where incidents occur, types of crime, frequent offenders, etc. \u2013 and pushes that information to patrol officers.<\/p>\n

\"Purgatory
Purgatory Resort is one of Durango&#x2019;s main tourist attractions in the winter, and with it comes increased traffic along U.S. Highway 550 north of town.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The analysis, Shupe said, also helps inform officers working different shifts what happened throughout the day and week. Examples of hot spots of crime include the area around Walmart, downtown Durango and local parks and trails.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s working out great,\u201d Shupe said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been utilizing it quite a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Driscoll said staffing fluctuates constantly, but on average, one to three troopers work the area around Durango. So having them at the right spot, at the right time, is essential.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always been doing this, but the technology has really caught up,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s real time now.\u201d<\/p>\n

jromeo@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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