SILT, Colo. - Annual winter closures to motorized and mechanized vehicles begin to go into effect Dec. 1in specific areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River Valley Field Office to protect critical big game winter range and prevent road damage.
Seasonal gate closures occur annually from Dec. 1 to April 15 in multiple locations in Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties. Winter closures go into effect Jan. 16 to April 15 in several additional areas of Eagle County. All of the areas continue to be open to non-motorized and non-mechanized recreation opportunities such as hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and skiing.
A complete list and maps of the areas affected by these winter closures are available on-line at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/colorado/closures and at the Colorado River Valley Field Office in Silt, 2300 River Frontage Road.
Additional seasonal closures include the upper Transfer Trail gate above Glenwood Springs, which was closed Nov. 23 to maintain conditions for snowmobiling. BLM’s Wolcott and Gypsum campgrounds in Eagle County are closed for the winter and will reopen next spring.
“We appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping us protect wildlife and public lands," said BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Karl Mendonca.
People who use these BLM-managed lands in the winter can help reduce stress to wintering deer and elk by observing wildlife from a distance and keeping dogs under control, preferably leashed.
For additional information or to report violations in these areas call the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office in Silt, (970) 876-9000.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
