Smith Lake State Wildlife Area permanently closed to public access

Northeast Region

Kara Van Hoose
Northeast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]

September 15, 2025

Smith Lake State Wildlife Area permanently closed to public access

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the closing of Smith Lake State Wildlife Area to public access starting Friday, September 12. The property and lake, also known as Boxelder Lake Number 3, is owned by the North Poudre Ditch Company. It had been leased to CPW for public fishing opportunities since 2008. After a long negotiation process, the two parties were unable to reach a new agreement for recreation management. Members of the public with further questions can contact CPW at 970-472-4300 and North Poudre Ditch Company at 979-568-3612.

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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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