The following joint statement was approved by the Summit County Board of County Commissioners, the towns of Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon, the Summit County government, Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue:
The Denver Water Department today notified all Summit County local governments and fire protection providers that it has decided to close the Dillon Dam Road, effective immediately.
The announced closure is described to be of indefinite duration, and is apparently based upon information from state and federal agencies, which Denver Water has declined to name, concerning the vulnerability of earthen dams in general.
It is of particular concern to the Summit County Board of Commissioners and the individual Town Councils that this new information has not been released to any local law enforcement agency in the County.
While Denver Water has promised to provide information to support its decision, that has not yet taken place.
It is important to stress that neither Denver Water nor any local agency has received any specific threat concerning the dam, and that they believe there is no present threat to the dam.
All Summit County local government jurisdictions are seriously affected and deeply disappointed by this precipitate action, and are seriously weighing all legal and practical options available to them at this time.
