Colorado Gov. Asks Feds to Hand over Rocky Mountain National Park Road

The governor is proposing that the park service allow Colorado to maintain and patrol Trail Ridge Road, which runs through the national park, connecting Estes Park and Grand Lake

ESTES PARK - After more than a week of waiting for the federal government to reopen, Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) told 9NEWS he's asking the White House to temporarily hand over control of part of Rocky Mountain National Park to Colorado's state government.

The governor is proposing that the park service allow Colorado to maintain and patrol Trail Ridge Road, which runs through the national park, connecting Estes Park and Grand Lake.

The Colorado Department of Transportation would plow and maintain the road, while Colorado State Patrol would be tasked with sending troopers to keep it safe for use.

Before the shutdown, Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson told 9NEWS she didn't think this idea would be workable, but did not entirely rule it out.

"I can't see a reason why not," Gov. Hickenlooper said. "There might be some federal law that gets in our way. That's the only thing I think that can happen, otherwise I think they'll probably try to find a way to do it."

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) wrote a letter the White House asking for the road to be reopened as well, though it did not specifically ask for the state to be granted control.

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