The mayor of Estes Park on Friday asked the Interior Department to close Rocky Mountain National Park temporarily to reduce visitation in the area during the coronavirus pandemic.

Like Colorado’s three other national parks, Rocky Mountain has remained open this week, although visitor centers are closed and entrance fees are not being collected. Rocky Mountain closed temporarily on Friday, but that was for snow removal.

Estes Park reported its first positive coronavirus case on Thursday.

“A continued influx of visitors at this critical time presents a grave public health concern to Estes Park and surrounding communities,” Estes Park Mayor Todd Jirsa wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. “The Larimer County public health director has formally advised us to encourage visitors not to travel through Larimer County to Estes Park. We have an older, high-risk population with many retirees and limited critical resources.”

Jirsa urged Bernhardt to close the park temporarily, adding that if it was not possible, to “please reinstate fees and staff the gates.” His letter was copied to Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado’s two U.S. senators, Rep. Joe Neguse and Darla Sidles, superintendent of the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park officials have not yet publicly responded to the mayor’s request.

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