County commissioners approve ATVs in Somerset

Not allowed on highway

[  By Katherine Nettles  ]

Gunnison County commissioners approved ATV, OHV and UTV use on certain county roads in Somerset, after several recent conversations about it at the request of a group of residents there. The newly allowed use was effective immediately as of late February. ATV use remains prohibited on Highway 133, and on all other roads within the county unless previously exempted, such as in a portion of County Road 3 in Marble. For the first time in the current iteration of commissioners, it was not a unanimous decision. Commissioner Jonathan Hock dissented based on his previously stated perspective that allowing the limited use in Somerset would set a challenging precedent for other requests around the county. 

“I think the request made by folks in Somerset is a logical request,” he said. According to the county’s 2020 census, there are 55 residents there. The resolution allows ATV, OHV and UTV use within the townsite on First through Eighth Streets, as well as Pike Avenue, King Avenue and River Road, acknowledging that “the original plat and built environment in Somerset has resulted in road infrastructure that does not meet current code and presents unique barriers for traditional vehicular use and transportation.”

Houck’s concerns were that there could be conflict and safety issues for those crossing Highway 133, despite prohibited ATV use on the highway as stated in the resolution; he also believed it could complicate the years-long discussions over how to manage ATV use in Marble along County Road 3 leading to the U.S. Forest Service’s  Lead King Loop which does allow ATVs. Commissioners currently allow ATV/OHV use on the portion of County Road 3 that connects the town of Marble (which allows ATV use within town limits) to the Lead King Loop.

“In my time on the board we have had numerous requests across the county for these types of exemptions, and I feel like this facilitates and opens that door even more,” said Houck. 

Commissioner Liz Smith had requested additional clarifying language in the resolution to address similar concerns to Houck’s. She said she was satisfied with the updated language, having worked with the county attorney’s office on it. Smith and commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels both voted in favor of the resolution, which passed by a majority.