Narrative:

I had an air carrier come over from low altitude; climb was stopped at FL260 for traffic. When they leveled at FL260 and informed me that the were getting continuous moderate turbulence I expedited their climb and climbed them to FL340. Approxametly 2-4 min later a 737 checked on climbing out of denver and I turned them to enable a climb; they reported severe turbulence and couldn't maintain altitude so they descended. Shortly after the first air carrier to check in; now at approx FL320; they reported that they had severe turbulence in the climb from FL260-FL265. I asked if they had any injuries reported and they said they would check. After I received 2 consecutive reports I told the supervisor on duty to shut off that one departure route. I was told that I can't do that because of the liability the government would incur. I then asked if we could have denver approach or sector 6 put those aircraft on that departure procedure on a heading to avoid the area of severe turbulence. I was told I couldn't do that either because of the liability. I was told that no turns are allowed for turbulence. The original air carrier reported they were having problems with their radios; and said that the turbulence was FL260-280. They did no notify me of any injuries. Recommendation; there is got to be a better way to allow us to turn planes around a known area of severe turbulence for at least a short time until the airlines and all sourrounding facilities have been notified.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZDV Controller described an unsafe condition event when several air carriers were encountering severe turbulence but controller efforts to give exit clearances were not approved; reported due to government liability.

Narrative: I had an air carrier come over from low altitude; climb was stopped at FL260 for traffic. When they leveled at FL260 and informed me that the were getting continuous moderate turbulence I expedited their climb and climbed them to FL340. Approxametly 2-4 min later a 737 checked on climbing out of Denver and I turned them to enable a climb; they reported severe turbulence and couldn't maintain altitude so they descended. Shortly after the first air carrier to check in; now at approx FL320; they reported that they had severe turbulence in the climb from FL260-FL265. I asked if they had any injuries reported and they said they would check. After I received 2 consecutive reports I told the supervisor on duty to shut off that one departure route. I was told that I can't do that because of the liability the government would incur. I then asked if we could have Denver Approach or Sector 6 put those aircraft on that departure procedure on a heading to avoid the area of severe turbulence. I was told I couldn't do that either because of the liability. I was told that no turns are allowed for turbulence. The original air carrier reported they were having problems with their radios; and said that the turbulence was FL260-280. They did no notify me of any injuries. Recommendation; there is got to be a better way to allow us to turn planes around a known area of severe turbulence for at least a short time until the airlines and all sourrounding facilities have been notified.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.