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Too many hikers are pooping in Colorado’s backcountry. Could “wag bags” be the answer?
Summary by Aspen News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Jason Blevins , Colorado Sun
· July 21, 2026
· 1 min read
Mount Elbert is visible above Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus as pictured from U.S. Highway 24 on February 5, 2026, in Leadville. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun) " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Arkansas...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Aspen News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Jason Blevins, Colorado Sun Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun) " data-large-file="https://i0.
Why this matters in Aspen News
Aspen's own backcountry trails may face similar sanitation challenges, given the town's proximity to wilderness areas and high volume of outdoor enthusiasts. The use of "wag bags" as a potential solution in other parts of the state could have implications for Pitkin County's management of its public lands. If the approach proves effective in reducing human waste on Mount Elbert, it may be worth considering for popular Aspen trails, such as those in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The Aspen School District, which emphasizes environmental education, could also play a role in promoting responsible backcountry practices among students and the broader community. By exploring innovative solutions like wag bags, Aspen can work to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of its surroundings, while also protecting the health and safety of residents and visitors.
About this story
Original reporting by Colorado Sun . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Colorado Sun . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: Colorado Sun ·
Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? Mount Elbert is visible above Colorado Mountain College’s Leadville campus as pictured from U.S. Highway 24 on February 5, 2026, in Leadville. (Andy Colwell, Special to The Colorado Sun) " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-coloradosun.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Arkansas...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by Colorado Sun and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jason Blevins at Colorado Sun. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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