SILT, Colo. - Winter closures to motorized and mechanized vehicles to protect wintering wildlife will be extended through April 30 on specific Bureau of Land Management lands in the Eagle and Roaring Fork Valleys because of the high remaining snowpack this year.
At the request of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office is extending winter closures at Hardscrabble/Spring Creek in the Eagle Valley as well as The Crown, Light Hill, and Williams Hill in the Roaring Fork Valley.
“As the snow melts from these lower elevation areas, the vegetation is greening-up and providing key forage for winter-weakened deer and elk," said Matt Yamashita, Acting Area Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “The higher elevation transitional areas the deer and elk could migrate to are still inaccessible because of several feet of snow and significant crusting."
The annual winter closures to motorized vehicles and mechanized vehicles such as bicycles begin Dec. 1and are typically lifted April 15. The closures are designed to be flexible to address varying conditions from year to year. With snowpack in the area at 145 percent of average, the gates into these areas will not be opened before May 1.
“In cooperation with CPW, I have decided to extend the closure by two weeks. This should provide the additional needed protection for wildlife while limiting impacts to recreation. We appreciate your patience," said BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Larry Sandoval.
A map of the winter wildlife areas is available at https://www.blm.gov/office/colorado-river-valley-field-office or at the Colorado River Valley Field Office in Silt. For more information, call the Colorado River Valley Field Office at (970) 876-9008.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
