Industry News
Donovan Romero, a 32-year-old snowboarder from Littleton, Colorado, died May 2 from injuries sustained in a December fall from the Ruby Express chairlift at Keystone Resort, the Summit County coroner confirmed Wednesday, reports Jason Blevins with The Colorado Sun. The incident on December 11 left Romero critically injured after he fell around 50 feet to the unopened Diamondback trail, according to the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board.
Witnesses reported that Romero briefly hung from the armrest before falling. The safety bar was not lowered at the time of the incident, a detail highlighted by state investigators and Romero’s family. A state report suggested Romero was adjusting his snowboard bindings when he fell, but a friend riding with him disputed that account, saying Romero was not leaning over at the time.
Romero, a single father of two girls, was wearing a helmet and was airlifted to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood immediately after the fall. The nature of his injuries was not disclosed, but a GoFundMe campaign indicated he suffered a head injury and other trauma.
The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board determined a lift malfunction did not cause the fall and closed its investigation, stating no further inquiry was warranted. Romero’s death is the 14th ski area fatality in Colorado for the 2024-25 season.
Chairlift fatalities remain rare, with only 35 reported at U.S. ski areas since 1956, most of which did not involve mechanical failures. While the National Ski Areas Association recommends always lowering the safety bar, Colorado does not mandate its use, unlike Vermont. Romero’s family has since advocated for stricter safety bar requirements, questioning why resorts do not enforce their use.
“With heavy hearts, we share that on May 2nd at 1:45 pm Donovan took his last breath surrounded by love and in his moms arms. After five months of highs and lows he has now returned to the stars.
Your support—whether through donations, messages, or simply holding us in your thoughts—meant more than words can say. It gave us strength, comfort, and the ability to be present with Donovan in his final days.
Funds raised will now help cover final expenses and provide support to the family during their time of grief. Any remaining amount will be used in ways that will honor Donovans memory.
One of the most concerning aspects of ski lift safety is that, in many U.S. states, there is no requirement for riders to use the safety bar, also known as the restraint bar. While these bars are standard equipment on most modern chairlifts, their use is often left to individual discretion—even for children.
This lack of regulation stands in stark contrast to safety standards in many European countries, where lowering the safety bar is mandatory and enforced. In the U.S., the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) only recommends using the safety bar, but does not mandate it, and there is no federal or universally enforced rule requiring its use.
The result? Riders—especially kids, beginners, or those with limited mobility—can easily be at risk of falling, particularly during loading, unloading, or if a sudden jolt occurs mid-ride. Tragedies have happened. And the heartbreaking truth is that many of them could have been prevented by a simple act: lowering the bar.
We must ask: why is this optional? Why aren’t ski resorts required to ensure that riders use the safety bar, especially when it’s installed for a reason? A safety measure is only effective if it’s used.
It’s time to call for consistent, enforceable rules requiring safety bar use across all ski areas—so that no one else has to suffer the unimaginable consequences of inaction or regulation
No other industry that transports people at height—whether it’s aviation, amusement parks, or public transit—would allow such a critical safety measure to go unregulated. Imagine an airline making seatbelt use optional, or a rollercoaster ride where harnesses are left to personal choice. It would be unthinkable. And yet, in the ski industry, passengers are regularly suspended dozens of feet in the air, often with children or new skiers, and there is no requirement to lower the safety bar.
This gap in oversight is not just a regulatory blind spot—it’s a failure to prioritize human life. When a safety feature exists but is not required, it sends the message that convenience outweighs caution. That mindset has already cost lives, and it will again unless change is made.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.
With love and gratitude,
Tonette and Van”– GoFundMe update from the family
