Canyon Guard is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting commonsense, low-cost transportation solutions in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC), as well as up-canyon land use and environmental issues within the Town of Alta. Founded in December 2023 in response to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) moving forward with a gondola for LCC, our goal is to stop the proposed gondola while advocating for sustainable, effective transportation alternatives to alleviate traffic in the canyon.
Our Mission
Canyon Guard is committed to protecting Little Cottonwood Canyon by promoting cost-effective transportation solutions that reduce canyon traffic, while opposing the proposed gondola. We pursue this mission through:
Community Outreach: We aim to promote transportation solutions that are supported by the public by engaging them in the process, raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and providing opportunities to make their voice heard.
Legislative Advocacy: We work to build strong relationships and collaborate with policymakers to advance community-supported, cost-effective transportation solutions.
Litigation Monitoring: Our most direct effort to stop the gondola is through legal action. Currently, Canyon Guard is monitoring the litigation efforts of three other entities that are suing UDOT, asserting that they failed to comply with federal and state laws.
While litigation is not ultimately the solution to reducing traffic in LCC, it is a necessary step to stop the gondola so that we can work towards implementing effective and affordable transportation solutions.
Canyon Guard Team
Board of Directors
Craig Heimark
Board Member
Eva Chan
Board Member
Margaret Bourke
Board Member
Staff
Charlie Luke
Executive Director
Emily Pitsch
Policy Director