Seasonal closures in place across southwest Colorado to protect wildlife

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

DURANGO, Colo. – With the winter season in full swing across southwest Colorado, it is important to respect seasonal closures in place on public lands to protect wintering wildlife.

In the Durango area, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has seasonal closures in place that have been effective since Dec. 1 for the Perins Peak State Wildlife Area and Bodo State Wildlife Area. At the June 22, 2023 Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting, a regulation change was approved to permanently extend these closures from the previous April 15 date to April 30.

“The regulation was changed to keep our dates consistent,” said CPW Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Steve McClung. “Even though weather conditions may start to improve in April and trails may begin to dry, it is still a crucial time for wildlife struggling to get by until forage begins to green up, and they need the relief from human pressure in their winter habitat until snow begins to melt in the high country and they can follow the green forage into summer habitat.”

WATCH: A look at wintering wildlife on an area protected by seasonal closures.

Additional seasonal closures are in place across State Wildlife Areas in the Gunnison area, and closures in Montrose and Ouray counties will go into effect Jan. 1. Several other partner land agencies also have seasonal closures in place across southwest Colorado to protect wildlife.

Winter wildlife closures are a critical tool used by land managers to limit the impact of human recreation in the areas where animals congregate to survive winter. As human development continues to spread, areas in which wildlife can find refuge during the harsh winter months become fewer and far between.

“State Wildlife Areas are acquired by CPW for the specific purpose of providing and protecting wildlife habitat,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Rachel Sralla. “This is a critical part of our agency mission, and it’s our local priority. As part of this obligation, human activity is restricted at certain times of the year.”

During winter, wildlife largely relies on built up calorie reserves from forage consumed during the summer and fall. As forage browns up, it is greatly lacking in nutritional value. As seen during historic snowfalls of the 2022-23 winter, deep snow or ground covered by a layer of ice may also make it impossible for animals to reach what little forage may remain on the ground level. Added stress to wildlife caused by the presence of human recreation that displaces them from an area could result in death.

“They need every calorie they can get to survive the winter and give birth to healthy fawns and calves in the spring,” McClung said. “We’ve seen various winter conditions over recent years, whether it be extremely dry winters or ones like last year where we have a huge snowpack. No matter what the conditions are, deer and elk are still struggling to find food this time of year and rely on their dwindling wintering areas to survive.”

While all closure areas are well marked with gates and signs, there are violations every year. At the Gunnison State Wildlife Area, two people had already violated the closure the first day it was in place.

Those in violation of CPW closures are subject to a fine of $139.50. CPW issues several citations each year.

“While we know these areas are popular with trail users, well-researched data shows it is also necessary to close them to human activity during the winter months for the sake of wildlife,” McClung said. “There are plenty of other trails in our areas for people to recreate on during the winter months.

“As there continue to be more wants for recreational opportunities, the lands that are seasonally closed become that much more important for our wildlife, and that is something our communities need to consider.”

The Bureau of Land Management also has several seasonal closures in place across Colorado to protect the wildlife resource. For a full map detailing all of the seasonal closures on BLM lands across Colorado, go to cpw.info/BLMClosures.

Here are the Durango-area closures that start Dec. 1:

• Bodo State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited from Dec. 1 through April 30. The Smelter Mountain Trail is open for foot access only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dogs are prohibited. Small game hunting is allowed south of County Road 210.
• Perins Peak State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited from Dec. 1 through April 30. However, closures remain in effect through July 31 in areas east of La Plata County Road 208.
• Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads off U.S. Highway 160 are closed to all public use.
• South Rim trail, including portions of Sidewinder and Cowboy trails on BLM property accessed from Carbon Junction trail or Crites Connection.
• Grandview BLM trails accessed from Three Springs.
• Animas City Mountain upper loop trails.
• All upper trails as marked in the Twin Buttes open-space area.

Check out this video from Durango Trails on seasonal trail closures: https://www.durangotrails.org/2022/11/seasonal-wildlife-closures-dec-1-through-april-15-2/

For updated information on trail conditions around Durango, go to: https://www.durangotrails.org/trail-conditions/

Here are the State Wildlife Area closures in the Gunnison Basin:

• Almont Triangle: Public access is prohibited Dec. 1 through April 30.
• Gunnison State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited Dec. 1 through April 30.
• Centennial State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited Dec. 1 through June 30.
• Miller Ranch State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited March 1 through June 30. Exception for youth hunts; call the Gunnison wildlife office for information at 970-641-7060.
• Sapinero State Wildlife Area: Snowmobiles allowed only on the main roads – Rainbow Lake and Red Creek roads – through the wildlife area.
• Tomichi Creek State Wildlife Area: Open to fishing year around, closed to all public access other than fishing from the end of waterfowl season through June 30.
• On all public lands in the Gunnison Basin, collection of shed antlers is prohibited from Jan. 1 through April 30. Additionally, it is illegal to possess antlers or horns on public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 551, 66, 67 between legal sunset and 10 a.m. from May 1 through May 15.

For more information about closures, contact the Gunnison wildlife office; or for more information on other closures or restrictions on federal lands, please check with the Gunnison office of the U.S. Forest Service at 970-641-0471 or the Bureau of Land Management at 970-642-4940.

View the Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure online at https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/lands.pdf

Here are the seasonal closures in Montrose and Ouray counties that start Jan. 1:

• Cimarron State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited from Jan. 1 through June 30.
• Billy Creek State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited from Jan. 1 through April 30, except along the Uncompahgre River corridor from U.S. Highway 550 as posted.

For more information on the BLM’s seasonal closures in parts of the Dry Creek Restoration Area, Ridgway Trails Recreation Area, Gunnison Gorge National Recreation Area, Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Area, Burn Canyon Area and the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation area, go to go.usa.gov/xepSb.