outdoors

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

January 20 - 28 is International Snowmobile Safety Week and Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds snowmobilers to think safety first when riding the trails this winter.

Fishermen will still be able to try their luck in the "Toilet Bowl" beneath Ruedi Dam on the Fryingpan River in Eagle County following a meeting that included Colorado Parks and Wildlife, City of Aspen, United States Bureau of Reclamation, Eagle County Sheriff's office and the U.S. Forest Service. While fishing from the shore will continue to be permitted, water activities such as paddle boarding and swimming are not allowed.

Despite a relatively small amount of precipitation falling recently, the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map indicates that nearly all of Colorado is currently experiencing some level of drought. Trees in urban and community settings throughout this region are dormant now, but still require occasional watering during dry winters to remain in top health.

The Bent's Fort Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association annual meeting will be held January 13 at the JW Rawlings Heritage Center and Museum, 560 Bent Avenue, in Las Animas.  The general meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a catered lunch.  The meeting will include the election of officers for 2018, announcement of the Member of the Year, a review of upcoming field trips and presentations in 2018, and an update on the 2021 Santa Fe Trail Association Symposium.

As the snow packs in on the mountains surrounding Estes Park, recreationalists in Rocky Mountain National Park begin trading in their hiking boots for snowshoes and skis. Although this winter equipment gives people an advantage when traveling over snow, you can never be too prepared in the winter time. Among the additional risks during Colorado's cold weather months are avalanche and hypothermia.

As the 2018 legislative session looms, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is calling on hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who wants a voice in wildlife issues to attend a Southeast Region Sportsmen's Caucus, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. January 23.

The caucus will convene in the auditorium of the Visitor Center at Lake Pueblo State Park, 640 Pueblo Reservoir Road. It is expected to end by 8:00 p.m.

When winter really digs in, you might not think about your favorite state park or wildlife area as a destination. It's cold and only the hardcore hikers, campers, ice-fishing enthusiasts, cross-country skiers and snowshoers have us at top of mind.

Don't forget about us or you'll miss out on some great winter festivals and wildlife viewing opportunities available across the state this time of year. I'm particularly thinking about our annual Eagle Day Festivals on the first weekend of February at both Lake Pueblo State Park and Barr Lake State Park in Brighton.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to welcome in the new year by once again participating in First Day Hikes. Over 30 events are scheduled in state parks across Colorado on New Year's Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.

San Juan National Forest fire officials are warning that continued dry conditions in Southwestern Colorado mean that fire danger is a concern. In late November, a man target shooting with incendiary ammunition on private property adjacent to National Forest lands started a fire north of Durango that quickly grew to 60 acres near Electra Lake north of Durango. Fuel moistures are even drier now as we approach the end of December.