Boat ramps opening at state parks across CPW's Southwest Region
John LivingstonSouthwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW
RIDGWAY, Colo. – The boat ramp at Ridgway State Park opened for the season Tuesday, and more boat ramps will soon open across the Southwest Region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The boat ramp at Ridgway State Park is now open with Aquatic Nuisance Species inspections available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those hours will be extended following Memorial Day weekend for the rest of the summer boating season.
The Navajo State Park boat ramp opened for the season on March 1. Crawford State Park will have its boat ramp open on April 7, while Paonia State Park’s boat ramp is slated to open May 19.
CPW reminds the public that Paonia State Park’s boat ramp will be closed on Tuesdays for wakeless days. Hand-launched boats will still be permitted.
Sweitzer Lake State Park had its reservoir drawn down for a dam restoration project during the winter. With work nearly complete, the lake will begin to refill starting April 15 and an announcement will be made in May regarding the opening of the boat ramp.
“We need the water to rise nine feet before we can open the boat ramp,” Park Manager Scott Rist said. “We hope to open the ramp by mid-May.”
The lake at Mancos State Park still has ice coverage and no opening date has been set for the boat ramp opening at this time.
Before launching in Colorado waters, boaters will need to ensure their boat is registered, purchase an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp and follow all ANS inspection requirements.
“We always want to remind everyone to make sure their boats are clean, drained and dry,” said Ridgway State Park Senior Ranger Derek MacLachlan.
All boats are also required to have one Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. Life jackets can save lives when they fit properly and are worn when recreating on the water. Boaters are also encouraged to take a boating safety course with CPW to learn navigation safety and what to do in case of an accident.
Opening dates:
- Crawford: Monday, April 7
- Mancos: TBA as conditions safely allow
- Navajo: Saturday, March 1
- Paonia: Monday, May 19
- Ridgway: Tuesday, April 1
- Sweitzer Lake: TBA in mid-May
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 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.
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