outdoors

Media reports of bear interactions with people or around homes have frequently been shared this year.  The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) websiteprovides valuable resources for those exploring the Colorado outdoors.  Learn how to be "Bear Aware" and enjoy a safe hike, camping trip or unexpected encounter near home.  If you are camping or hiking west of Interstate 25 there's a good chance you are in bear country.  According to the CPW website, "Bears that learn that people have food routinely visit c

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating the mysterious die-off of hundreds of common carp that surfaced recently in the waters around Turkey Creek in Lake Pueblo State Park.

There is no obvious reason for the die-off, which was first discovered July 27 when park rangers on a routine boat patrol noticed approximately 10 dead carp in the area.

By Sunday evening, park visitors were reporting seeing "dozens and maybe hundreds of dead carp" in the Turkey Creek area on the far west edge of the lake on its north banks.

Fishing Closures in Colorado

Due to high water temperatures and low flows, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is implementing voluntary fishing closures on several stretches of rivers in Colorado. The fishing closure are effective immediately, until further notice.

Colorado landowners who want to protect environmentally valuable private forest areas that could someday be threatened by development or conversion to other non-forest uses - and who desire to receive monetary compensation in the process - now have the opportunity to submit proposals to protect their forestlands.

Rocky Mountain National Park's 355 miles of hiking trails offer some of the most breathtaking views in the country. Whether you want to see alpine lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, or meadows full of blooming wildflowers the park has a hike for you. Make the most out of your time in Rocky and join the Rocky Mountain Conservancy for the "Hike with a Naturalist" series beginning in August.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices statewide are gearing up for two of the biggest days of the year: "leftover day" Tuesday, August 7, at 9:00 a.m. and "OTC day" August 9 at 9:00 a.m.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will celebrate Colorado Day Monday, August 6 by offering free entrance at all 41 state parks. Colorado Day was created by the state legislature to mark the anniversary of statehood, granted in 1876 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Although the state commemorates its 142nd year on the first of the month, state parks recognize the occasion with free entrance on the first Monday of the month.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife salutes all active-duty military and veterans by offering free entrance to all 41 Colorado state parks during August. Free access for veterans and active duty military is slated to continue every year in which general fund dollars are appropriated by the General Assembly for this service.

Low water flow, high temperatures and dry conditions continue to affect fisheries across Northwest Colorado this summer.