Owner And Operator Of Wolf Creek Ski Area Sentenced For Conducting Work Activity In The Forest Without A Permit

DENVER – Randall D. Pitcher, age 52, of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, who owns and operates the Wolf Creek Ski Area within the confines of the Rio Grande National Forest, was sentenced today in Durango by U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. West to serve five years on supervised probation, including 500 hours of community service, to be performed 100 hours per year for each of the five years of probation, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and U.S. Forest Service Special Agent in Charge Laura Mark announced.  The community service is to be served with the Sheriff’s Departments of Archuleta, Hinsdale and Mineral Counties together with the U.S. Forest Service.  Pitcher was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

Pitcher was previously charged and pled guilty to conducting work in the Forest without a permit,.  Pitcher entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. West in Durango on November 24, 2014.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on February 11th, March 3rd, and March 4th, defendant Pitcher hired a commercial helicopter service to transport himself and his Wolf Creek Ski Area employees on to the Rio Grande National Forest for the purpose of engaging in avalanche training and search and rescue training.  On all three occasions, Pitcher did not have a permit to conduct such work activities nor did he have the necessary authorization of the Forest Service to conduct such work activities. 

“The permitting process for those working in the Forest serves many important functions, including protecting those doing the work as well as those who may be in the area,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.  “In this instance, the defendant was engaged in avalanche mitigation and response training.  That activity is inherently dangerous, thus amplifying the need for a permit.  Thanks to the investigative work of the U.S. Forest Service, Mr. Pitcher was held accountable for failing to obtain the necessary authorization before conducting the activities.  Such failure in this instance led to serious consequences.”

“The Forest Service takes permitting for services seriously on National Forest System lands because it is an integral part of managing for public safety and resource protection,” said Laura Mark, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region.  “We feel that the sentence in this case adequately reflects the serious nature of this matter.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, and prosecuted by Durango Branch Office Chief James Candelaria.