Meeker Office Closure
The Meeker office is closed until further notice due to the Lee Fire. Please view the news release for additional details and alternative office information.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife temporarily closes West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area shooting range
Rachael GonzalesNorthwest Region Public Information Officer
970-773-8587 / [email protected]
Twitter: @CPW_NW
Colorado Parks and Wildlife temporarily closes West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area shooting range
Aug. 11, 2025
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has temporarily closed the shooting range at West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area due to high fire danger and increased fire activity from the Lee Fire. This closure is in effect starting Monday, Aug. 11 and will remain in place until further notice.
“With the big game hunting season around the corner, many hunters are using our State Wildlife Area shooting ranges to practice and sight in their gear,” said Grand Junction Area Wildlife Manager Kirk Oldham. “We know these closures are less than ideal, but our priority is the safety of the public. With the recent shift in fire behavior from the Lee Fire, along with the ongoing hot and dry conditions forecasted for the coming week and the persistent drought, we have decided to close the shooting range temporarily."
West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area remains open to the public; this closure only applies to the shooting range. CPW reminds the public that recreational shooting outside of the range is prohibited.
Those looking for an alternative shooting range can go to Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (Cameo). To find shooting ranges throughout the state, visit the Shooting Range Finder page on our website.
In addition to the West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area shooting range closure, CPW reminds the public of closures to four State Wildlife Areas in Rio Blanco County due to the Lee and Elk fires.
Effective immediately, the following State Wildlife Areas are closed to the public until further notice.
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Piceance State Wildlife Area - Little Hills Unit and North Ridge Unit
For additional information on nearby State Wildlife Areas or those throughout Colorado, please visit the Colorado Hunting Atlas online or contact your local CPW office.
For more information on the Lee Fire, go to https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-lee-fire.
For more information on the Elk Fire, go to https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cowrd-elk-rbx-fire.
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.
DISCLAIMER: The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website maintains press releases containing historical information that may no longer be accurate. Press releases are dated, which should be noted to determine whether the information provided is current. Please review our current regulations and brochures for up-to-date information.