Rittenhouse river access coming soon
Pam Boyd/pboyd@eaglevalleyenterprise.com |
GYPSUM — To the dismay of downvalley anglers, the Eagle River access at the Rittenhouse property in Gypsum has been barricaded for weeks. But the town of Gypsum hopes to reopen the access through a license agreement with the property owner.
“It was a pretty good hit to our economy, especially with the commercial guides who use that ramp,” said Gypsum Town Manager Jeff Shroll.
During a recent meeting, Shroll said he had been in contact with the Texas-based owner of the property. Shroll said the owner barricaded off the access when a group called Survive! shut down its operation at the Rittenhouse.
About the Rittenhouse
Survive!, a local nonprofit organization that provides services including a restorative justice program in the Eagle County Jail, purchased the restaurant property in 2014 and operated the Rittenhouse as a re-entry program for formerly incarcerated individuals. However, the restaurant has been closed for a number of weeks and the property is currently listed on the county’s foreclosure rolls, although an intent to cure petition has been filed. That petition indicates the current owner’s intent to bring the property out of foreclosure.
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Shroll said the property owner barricaded the river access because of insurance, trash and general upkeep concerns. However, Shroll added the property owner was willing to look at reopening the access if a license agreement could be reached with the town.
“I have heard from several fishing guides that they would very much appreciate the town working on this,” Shroll said.
Town Council members also indicated their support for a license agreement, unanimously directing staff to work with the property owner to formalize an agreement.
