By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
There are those few individuals who continue to show a lack of respect for the land and other’s property and continue to bring trash and destruction to the old Pass Road area and that is the reason the gate now is up.
It was decided over a year ago by the Raton City Commission to place a gate on the Old Pass road to restrict access after several incidents of vandalism and trash dumping had occurred. The project seemed to be at a stand still but after individuals recently did over $15,000 worth of damage to property and homes on the old pass, the project went full speed ahead with gate posts going in on Thursday last week. The gate went on and was in the open position Monday.
Access to the area will be restricted with land owners, home owners and utility companies who have facilities on the old pass will have unlimited access. According to City Manager Scott Berry the current gate will be a temporary solution with a heavier steel gate and electronic access equipment going in at a later date. Berry also noted that more work will be done on the entrance to show respect to the history of the area and road. The gate is located just west of the “Y” that goes up to Goat Hill. that way individuals who go up there unaware of the gate can back down a short distance and turn around.
Details on how access to the area will occur is still being determined. In time electronic access will be use but for now you may have to have a gate key or someone will open the gate for you and you have to check in and out with the Police Department.
