Seasonal closures support nesting water birds across San Luis Valley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – To protect water birds during the nesting season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife implements seasonal closures at several State Wildlife Areas (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. “We have staff that continually work in these areas managing weeds, water movement or other projects, so the public may see staff 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 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 in the San Luis Valley, call the Monte Vista office at 719-587-6900.