Colorado Parks and Wildlife

2/23/2023

Seasonal closures in place at State Wildlife Areas across San Luis Valley

02/23/23

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / john.livingston@state.co.us
@CPW_SW

Closures now in place to support nesting water birds across the San Luis Valley

Birds such as the white-faced ibis utilize the Russell Lakes State Wildlife Area during nesting season. CPW closes this SWA to the public from Feb. 15 through July 15 to protect such birds.
John Livingston/CPW photo

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife enacts seasonal closures across various State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) during specific times of the year that are critical for wildlife. To protect water birds during the nesting season, CPW implements such closures at several SWAs across the San Luis Valley.

Higel, Playa Blanca, Rio Grande, Russell Lakes and Sego Springs SWAs are closed to all public access Feb. 15 through July 15. Additionally, the wetlands portion of San Luis Lakes SWA is closed to the public on the same dates.

“These properties serve as important areas for many species, including the federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, different species of waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, herons, etc.,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Tyler Cerny.

CPW staff does conduct regular work in these areas to manage weeds, water movement and various other projects, so it is possible that the public will see staff on site during these times of closure.

The closures add to two other closures at SWAs currently in place in the San Luis Valley:

Hot Creek SWA is closed to motor vehicles from Jan. 1 through April 30.
La Jara SWA, the property is closed to motor vehicles Jan. 1 until the last Thursday before Memorial Day. This year, that is May 26.

The purpose of those closures is to protect big-game animal winter range during the months elk and deer are most vulnerable.

For more information on seasonal closures, call the Monte Vista office at 719-587-6900.

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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 42 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

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Closures now in place to support nesting water birds across the San Luis Valley