TL;DR
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Trail crews in Colorado are cleaning up extensive human waste left by hikers at Blue Lakes. New regulations aim to reduce waste and protect the ecosystem, but the cleanup remains ongoing.
Colorado trail crews are actively removing years of human waste left behind by hikers at Blue Lakes Trail, a popular destination near Ouray, following a surge in visitor numbers and new regulations aimed at mitigating environmental impacts.
Trailworkers with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) are clearing out accumulated human feces at Blue Lakes Trail, which attracts over 35,000 visitors annually. The cleanup effort was prompted by reports of widespread waste left in the area, including fecal matter contaminating water sources and affecting local wildlife. The U.S. Forest Service recently implemented rules requiring visitors to pack out their waste, limit group sizes to six, and ban campsites at two of the three main lakes, in an effort to curb ongoing pollution. Volunteers from the NFF and the Southwest Conservation Corps are removing the semi-decomposed waste, which has accumulated over months and years, to restore safety and ecological health.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the environmental challenges associated with increasing outdoor recreation in sensitive alpine ecosystems. Human waste contamination poses risks to water quality, wildlife health, and the overall ecosystem stability. The cleanup underscores the importance of responsible outdoor practices and the need for effective management policies to balance public access with conservation efforts.
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Background
Blue Lakes Trail, located about an hour north of Telluride, Colorado, is one of the most popular hikes in the state, drawing over 35,000 visitors annually. The trail leads to three turquoise lakes nestled below Mount Sneffels. Over recent years, increased visitation has resulted in significant resource impacts, including erosion, soil compaction, trash, and waste accumulation. In response, the U.S. Forest Service enacted new regulations on May 31, 2026, mandating waste pack-out and limiting group sizes, aiming to reduce environmental degradation. Despite these measures, the extent of waste left behind has required extensive cleanup efforts.
“The waste buildup is not just a sanitation issue but also a threat to wildlife and water quality.”
— an anonymous researcher
“We thought there might be some waste, but it’s all over the place—an abundance of human shit.”
— a volunteer from the Southwest Conservation Corps
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear how much more waste remains to be cleaned or how effective the new regulations will be long-term in reducing pollution. The full ecological impact of the waste buildup and the success of ongoing cleanup efforts are still being assessed.
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What’s Next
Authorities plan to continue cleanup operations and monitor the trail’s environmental health. They will evaluate the effectiveness of recent regulations and may adjust policies as needed. Further public education campaigns are expected to promote responsible recreation practices to prevent future waste issues.
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Key Questions
Why is human waste a problem at Blue Lakes?
Human waste contaminates water sources, poses health risks to wildlife and visitors, and damages the delicate alpine ecosystem.
What regulations have been implemented to address this issue?
Visitors are now required to pack out their waste, group sizes are limited to six, and campsites at two of the three lakes are banned to reduce environmental impact.
How are crews cleaning up the waste?
Conservation volunteers are manually removing semi-decomposed feces, using tools and protective equipment, to restore the area’s safety and ecological health.
Will outdoor access be restricted in the future?
No, the goal is to maintain public access while implementing responsible practices to protect the environment for future visitors.
What can visitors do to help prevent this problem?
Visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all waste, respecting camping restrictions, and minimizing their environmental footprint.
Source: Outside
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