Overwhelming Public Opposition to the Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola

Utah residents have overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to the proposed gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon, with analyses of public comments during the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process showing a clear majority against the project due to its exorbitant costs, severe environmental risks, and apparent favoritism toward private ski resorts.

Polls, story maps, and community feedback consistently highlight preferences for sustainable, cost-effective transit solutions like enhanced buses and tolling, alongside deep concerns for preserving the canyon's untouched natural beauty for future generations and redirecting funds to address broader regional priorities.

This opposition spans a wide spectrum, including local governments, environmental groups, businesses, and bipartisan elected officials, all united in advocating for alternatives that avoid the gondola's fiscal and ecological burdens.

Opponents by Category - sourced from local media and public records.

Area Mayors

All Mayors of Affected Areas: Collective opposition from surrounding cities' leaders, citing lack of transparency, community harm, and failure to prioritize resident needs.

Roger Bourke, Mayor of Alta: Has publicly denounced the gondola as a fiscal and environmental disaster that primarily benefits private resorts at taxpayer expense, estimating costs between $750 million and $1.4 billion.

Monica Zoltanski, Mayor of Sandy: Strongly opposes the project, criticizing its high costs, traffic inefficiencies, and inadequate consideration of alternatives, stating that Sandy residents do not want the gondola.

Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City: Opposes the gondola, emphasizing its threats to the watershed and ecosystem, and has supported legal actions against UDOT.

Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Mayor: A vocal critic, reiterating concerns over environmental impacts and offering support to opponents after UDOT's approval, while pushing for better alternatives.

Mike Weichers, Mayor of Cottonwood Heights: Leads a city that unanimously opposes the gondola, disregarding local concerns in UDOT's planning.

Gay Lynn Bennion, Mayor-Elect of Cottonwood Heights: Campaigned vigorously against the gondola project.

Other Elected Officials

Salt Lake County Council Members: A majority voted 5-4 in 2022 to condemn the gondola plan through a joint resolution, with bipartisan support to eliminate it from consideration.

(Nearly Two Dozen): Bipartisan Elected Leaders in Salt Lake County Including county and city officials who have criticized the gondola as a "gimmick" and advocated for phased bus and tolling solutions.

Municipalities and Utilities

City of Cottonwood Heights Government: Unanimously opposes the gondola, stating UDOT disregarded local concerns.

Salt Lake City Government: A plaintiff in lawsuits, opposing impacts on the watershed and calling for consolidation of legal challenges.

Sandy City Government: Joined as a plaintiff, criticizing high costs and inadequate alternatives analysis.

Sandy and Salt Lake Metropolitan Water Districts: Utility groups suing over risks to the watershed supplying water to over 400,000 people.

Organizations and Groups

Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon (FoLCC): A 501(c)(4) nonprofit coalition highlighting that 89% of Utahns opposed the gondola in 2021 public comments, promoting fiscally responsible alternatives and fighting to preserve the canyon.

Canyon Guard Inc.: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for sensible transportation solutions; a lead plaintiff in federal lawsuits challenging UDOT's EIS and environmental impacts.

Save Our Canyons: An environmental nonprofit leading media campaigns and lawsuits against UDOT, focusing on threats to the ecosystem, watershed, and water quality.

Friends of Alta: A community nonprofit suing UDOT, arguing the gondola ignores reasonable alternatives and harms recreation areas and water resources.

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE): Outlines arguments against the gondola, including failures in addressing air quality, traffic, and environmental health.

Coalition for Common Sense Traffic Solutions: A broad alliance filing lawsuits to invalidate UDOT's EIS and promote cheaper options like buses and tolling.

Granite Oaks Homeowners Association (HOA): A neighborhood group near the canyon mouth opposing the project through lawsuits over illegal land purchases and deed violations.

Businesses and Professionals

Wasatch Front Business Owners and Professionals (Over 50 Members): A group of entrepreneurs urging the governor and legislature to scrap the gondola due to its fiscal and environmental impacts.

Black Diamond Equipment: Outdoor recreation company speaking out against the gondola, highlighting its unnecessary scale and environmental harm.

Patagonia: Joins opposition, emphasizing the project's threats to the natural environment and advocating for sustainable alternatives.

Lawsuits Against the Gondola

As of November 2025, multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) challenging the gondola's approval, with many consolidated in April 2024. These actions allege violations of federal environmental laws, inadequate impact reviews, and overreach in decision-making.

Below is a chronological listing of key lawsuits before the merger, including plaintiffs and defendants (primarily UDOT and related federal agencies like the Federal Highway Administration).

December 4, 2023 - Coalition Lawsuit (Canyon Guard et al.): Plaintiffs: Canyon Guard Inc., Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE), Coalition for Common Sense Traffic Solutions, and individual residents. Defendants: UDOT. Allegations: Gondola plan wastes taxpayer dollars, harms ecology, and fails to adequately evaluate alternatives in the EIS.

December 11, 2023 - Save Our Canyons Lawsuit: Plaintiffs: Save Our Canyons. Defendants: UDOT. Allegations: Challenges the decision to build the gondola, citing insufficient environmental review and threats to the watershed.

December 12, 2023 - Friends of Alta and Local Governments Lawsuit: Plaintiffs: Friends of Alta, Salt Lake City Government, Sandy City Government, Sandy and Salt Lake Metropolitan Water Districts. Defendants: UDOT. Allegations: Gondola fails to consider full impacts on water resources, recreation, and reasonable alternatives; violates NEPA and other federal laws.

March 2025 - Granite Oaks HOA Lawsuit: Plaintiffs: Granite Oaks Homeowners Association. Defendants: UDOT. Allegations: Illegal purchase of a $5 million restricted private lot for the base station and parking garage, violating deed restrictions, with additional concerns over costs and environmental devastation.

These lawsuits were consolidated in April 2024, claiming UDOT violated federal transportation laws by exceeding authority and not thoroughly assessing environmental impacts.

As of March 2025, litigation continues to stall the project, with no committed construction funding and ongoing concerns over watershed and habitat effects.