It can be completely safe. You just need some basic route planning skills and be able to stick to a plan. The most dangerous thing about the pass is other users (in very particular spots that are easily avoided).
I'm not fooling myself to in saying I've skied the pass safely several dozen times. It has nothing to do with what other people are doing. And its certainly not safe if you're skiing something just because other people did which is classic heuristic trap in the backcountry -- the "T" and "S" of FACETS.
Sorry wasn't trying to say that everyone is doing that. I plan on taking my Avy 1 course with my partner and once we've the training I am sure we'll get out and do some exploring. I have male friends with no training, knowledge, or gear who ride or ski passes regularly. They scare me, and I am glad you know they're there and give them a wide berth.
Jmeb: I’d imagine the spots you’re talking about on Berthoud that are easily accessible from the parking lot are: HHA & Fingers, Floral Park, 80s -100s and the Chutes on the west side above the highway? Any others right there?
If there is enough skier compaction to create moguls, then it should be safe.
Having said that, we once had a fissure open up across a in bounds run that was not steep enough to slide. The fissure was IIRC about 4 feet deep and 2-3 feet wide, maybe 20 feet long.