Wolf Creek in Trouble With OSHA and Forest Service Over Avalanche Death

Wolf Creek
Photo: rtadlock/Flickr

Following the avalanche death of ski patroller Colin Sutton, who passed away last March in an area beyond the resort’s boundary, the Forest Service has filed several misdemeanor charges again Wolf Creek owner Davey Pitcher. The resort, which is located in Southwestern Colorado and is known for record amounts of snowfall, has also been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA says it’s citing the resort because of inadequate mitigation in the area where Sutton died. According to The Denver Post, Pitcher is facing charges because he was not “permitted to conduct avalanche work beyond the resort boundary” and for “unauthorized use of explosives on days not involved with the accident.”

Each misdemeanor charge can carry a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail.