Graffiti, vandalism a ‘huge problem' at heavily-used Hanging Lake

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Forest rangers are calling graffiti and vandalism at a popular and a heavily-used tourist destination a “huge problem.”

Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon will be closed this Saturday so volunteers can clean off the graffiti and perform other standard maintenance on the trail to the lake.

“Hanging Lake sees such a high level of use, wear-tear, and defacement every year,” Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Aaron Mayville stated in a news release. “Graffiti is a huge problem up there and we rely on groups like the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers to help us keep Hanging Lake looking as it should.”

Volunteers on Saturday will remove graffiti from resting benches, bridges and rock walls along the trail. They will also install a composite board on the benches at the lake to prevent water bottles and other personal items from falling into the creek.

The lake in western Colorado draws some 131,000 visitors a year. Tourists hike a mile trail to see the otherworldly turquoise lake with travertine edges. The trail is accessible by a pedestrian path or a small parking lot off Interstate 70. The parking lot is often full before 7 a.m. on summer weekends.

The Colorado Department of Transportation will close exit 125 on I-70 Friday overnight.