Colorado Parks and Wildlife and partner land managers across southwest Colorado use seasonal winter closures in an effort to ease pressure on wildlife during the difficult winter months. But the closures only meet their objective when the public complies and puts the needs of wildlife ahead of their own recreational desires.

During winter, wildlife largely rely on built-up fat reserves from forage consumed during the summer and fall. As forage browns up, it is greatly lacking in nutritional value. Deep snow or ground covered by a layer of hard, crusted snow 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.

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While all closure areas are well marked with gates and signs, there are violations every year. Those in violation of CPW closures are subject to a fine of $139.50. CPW issues several citations each year.

CPW encourages the public to use COTREX before going to a trailhead. The COTREX app is a free, user-friendly app that provides authoritative trail information across local, state and federal agencies. More than 236 land managers have contributed data on more than 45,000 miles of trail across the state. COTREX is unique in that it works directly and exclusively with land managers, parks and open spaces to ensure that the information on the platform comes from a reliable, trusted source.

CPW has partnered with the Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative to help spread awareness related to winter recreation and impacts on wildlife. Learn more at winteringwildlife.org.

For a full map detailing all of the seasonal closures on BLM lands across Colorado, go to cpw.info/BLMClosures.

CPW 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.

BLM seasonal closures

• 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.

City of Durango seasonal closures

• All upper trails as marked in the Twin Buttes open-space area.
• Durango Mesa Park Downhill Trails will also be closed to use from Dec. 1 through April 30 (dependent on spring conditions) to minimize damage to the trails.

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

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

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