Tensions mount at peace gathering

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Rainbow Family peace gathering turned hostile Tuesday when a group of attendees began hurling rocks and sticks at law enforcement officers, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

The incident forced the officers to abandon a checkpoint they had established near the entrance to the Rainbow gathering campsite in North Routt County, Forest Service spokeswoman Diann Ritschard said. Officers had not returned to the checkpoint as of Tuesday afternoon.

The incident happened at about 11 a.m. and involved Forest Service officers who were manning the checkpoint set up to issue citations to anyone who attempting to enter the gathering. Citations were being issued because Rainbow Family members had not signed a free Forest Service special use permit, which is required for gatherings of 74 or more people.

Before the Tuesday morning incident, Forest Service officials were blocking people from entering the gathering and telling them to “turn around,” Forest Service spokeswoman Denise Ottaviano said.

A group of about 100 people — some of whom already were inside the gathering area — participated in the alleged incident. Other participants included people waiting outside the checkpoint who were told they could not enter the gathering, Ritschard said.

No arrests were made, and the officers left the scene because they did not want to escalate the situation, Ritschard said. No officers were injured.

“This incident will be investigated, and we’re not exactly sure what course of action will be taken,” Ritschard said. “The Forest Service is deciding what action to take.”
In addition to Forest Service law enforcement officers, a Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputy also was at the checkpoint at the time of the incident, Ritschard said.

Also Tuesday, an incomplete special-use permit application was submitted to the Forest Service, Ritschard said. She said the application contained profanity where the applicant was supposed to write the location of the gathering.

Between 60 and 70 illegal gathering citations had been issued to Rainbow gathering attendees as of Tuesday morning. As many as 20,000 people are expected to attend the peace gathering, which officially beings July 1. An estimated 500 people already have arrived.

Citations will be issued to people who use the closed trails or ignore other regulations, including public nudity, camping within 150 feet of any running stream or body of water and placing kitchen facilities within 300 feet of any running stream or body of water.

About 15 miles of National Forest system motorized trails near the Rainbow Gathering have been closed. Ritschard said the trails were closed to keep the public away from the gathering.

“Most people would enjoy it more at a place that is less congested,” Ritschard said.

This story first appeared in the Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Vail, Colorado