A parttime resident of Breckenridge, CO David Lesh was fined $500 and ordered to perform 50 hours of public service for illegally running his snowmobile on snowless terrain on Independence Pass near Aspen, CO last year.
Lesh and another person were spotted last summer riding their snowmobiles down fragile, snow-free terrain on the Upper Lost Man Loop. Lesh was identified by photos he posted to social media glorifying the illegal activity.
Lesh, co-founder of Colorado-based Virtika clothing was cited for:
‘possessing or using a motor vehicle in designated wilderness, prohibited to operate or possess an over-the-snow vehicle on National Forest Lands in violation of restrictions, damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States, and selling or offering for sale any merchandise or conducting any kind of work activity’
Lesh now has a well-established pattern of intentionally violating state and federal regulations protecting various Colorado landmarks.
A change.org campaign has been launched to Kick “David Lesh out of Colorado“.
David Lesh has made a mockery of the Colorado Outdoors for long enough. He continually puts our natural spaces at risk for his own entertainment and fiscal gain. He has resided in Colorado for 15 yrs, and I think that is long enough. If he can not, or will not respect the Colorado Outdoors he should not be allowed to live here. As a Colorado Native his behavior is disrespectful, harmful and just plain egotistical. He will not respect the rules, and he will do it again. It is all a joke to him, he is the reason colorado transplants get a bad name. Colorado is very proud of our outdoor spaces and an example needs to be set for those moving to Colorado.