The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will begin annual winter closures at the Emerald Mountain Special Recreation Area near Steamboat Springs on Dec. 1. Closing areas to human activity is necessary to protect critical forage habitat and enable animals, such as elk and deer, to conserve energy for winter survival.
All areas south of the Ridge Trail, including Beall Trail and Kemry Draw, are closed to all forms of entry from Dec. 1 through June 30. This closure corresponds with Colorado Parks and Wildlife lands to the east and the Humble Ranch property to the southeast. Restroom facilities at the Kemry Draw will also be closed from Nov. 1 through April 30 due to weather conditions and road maintenance.
“We appreciate the public’s support in following these closures, which is important to reduce stress to wintering and calving elk,” said BLM Little Snake Field Office Assistant Field Manager Valerie Baxter. “Violations can have a significant impact on the elk in this area.”
A map of the closure area is available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/colorado/closures or from the Little Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson in Craig. For further information, contact the Little Snake Field Office, (970) 826-5000.
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