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Rattlesnakes force trail closure at North Table Mountain Park in Jefferson County

Posted at 12:32 PM, Oct 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-22 19:46:56-04

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – There’s a lot of slithering going on in one trail at a popular Colorado park; so much so, in fact, that Jefferson County officials were forced to close it to the public for the next several weeks.

Jefferson County Open Space announced Friday that Cottonwood Canyon Trail in North Table Mountain Park would be closed until further notice due to rattlesnake activity.

Though officials did not say when the trail would reopen, a sign posted on the trail states it would reopen until November 15.

Sign posted at the Cottonwood Canyon Trail in JeffCo

Those who do not follow the warnings will be subjected to a minimum fine of $150.

Rattlesnake activity in Jefferson County

The closure of Cottonwood Canyon Trail comes two weeks after a man in his 30s was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking Mt. Galbraith in Golden.

He was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead five hours later.

Officials stress the importance of knowing what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake, as they are active in the fall seeking a place to keep warm for the winter to come.