Amid leaf peeper invasion, Colorado town is closed to non-residents

Gridlock caused by Rocky Mountain day-trippers forced a small Colorado town to be temporarily closed to anyone who couldn t prove they live there Related Articles Midpen has new volunteer campaign for trail lovers Visit a national park for free on Saturday Sept great national parks to explore in Canada Hikers surprised atop -foot Colorado peak by man handing out ice cream Bay Area swimming pools to beat the heat for Labor Day weekend The barricade of Georgetown was broadcasted Saturday afternoon by the Clear Creek County sheriff s office All non-resident drivers trying to exit from Interstate were being turned away the sheriff s department noted because the town is so congested with leaf-peeping traffic that all traffic in town is at a standstill Georgetown residents were stated they would have to show proof of address The closure was lifted after minutes but drivers were warned that traffic remained heavy through the town and on the prime fall color journey of Guanella Pass Road Georgetown with a population of about lies along I- about a -mile drive west from Denver It courts tourists with shops restaurants and attractions related to its gold and silver mining history It s also at the northern end of Guanella Pass Road a -mile trail through aspen-covered hills that turn bright gold in late September Drivers out of Denver can make a -mile loop by using the two-lane road to connect two highways After Georgetown recorded drivers last Sunday the sheriff s office issued a call for patience and planning ahead It noted that under restrictions instituted this year a car parked with any part of its tires on the pavement of Guanella Pass Road would incur an ticket not counting the tow bill Colorado Community Radio informed