IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. — Inadequate training contributed to an “operator error” that led to the death of a via ferrata guide in Idaho Springs in September, according to a state investigation into the accident.
Olivia Copeland, 26, of Fort Collins fell to her death while guiding a group of AVA Rafting and Zipline customers on the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course on Sept. 20.
The Amusement Rides and Devices Program within the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety investigated the accident. According to an investigation report released Thursday, Copeland was not properly connected to a rappel rope, and fell onto a rock ledge partway down an 80-foot rappel route…