Federal officials have already begun gathering warnings and citations, as well as making arrests, as they settle on a location for the 50th anniversary of the controversial Rainbow Family Living Light.
Approximately 10,000 individuals are expected to attend. According to Hilary Markin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, about 4,100 people were already on site by Thursday at the National Forest in Routt County near Craig and at Adams Park in the Routt National Forest. The gathering, described as a “strange” version of the Burning Man festival by Vice, is scheduled to take place between July 7th and July 10th. People from across the country began arriving in advance of the event in Craig near the Routt National Forest and at Adams Park on July 7th. Hilary Markin, the spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, mentioned that there were already approximately 4,100 people on site by Thursday. The total number of attendees expected is 10,000.
Law enforcement had issued “enforcement measures” by Monday, as Markin informed the Steamboat Pilot & Today. Certain individuals from the Rainbow Family are already facing encounters, and law enforcement authorities expressed apprehension regarding the assembly months in advance.
By Wednesday, she informed The Denver Post that the figure increased to 191.
Actions of law enforcement that involve possession of a weapon by a convicted criminal, aggravated assault on a peace officer, distribution or possession of illegal drugs, and causing harm to natural resources.
In contrast, as per Markin, the assembly of the Rainbow Family in New Mexico last year led to about 600 occurrences of enforcement measures.
Markin stated that as time goes by, the likelihood of law enforcement encounters is projected to rise. On a daily basis, approximately 500 individuals are coming to the location, and a portion of them will remain for several weeks in order to assist with the area’s cleanup.
In the past, there have been reports of occasional sexual assault and drug use at Family Rainbow gatherings. However, these depictions bristle at many members. Meetings in Colorado have led to an increase in charges for illegal trespassing and camping in the past. More than a decade ago, seven members faced fines after police found them sleeping on the roof of the Boulder Public Library.
Conrad Swanson reports on the environment and politics for The Denver Post.