outdoors

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

To guard against the exceptionally high fire risk in the area, Mancos State Park has closed portions of the facility for hiking and camping that are adjacent to the San Juan National Forest. The national forest is under Stage 3 fire restrictions and is closed to public access.

The main areas of the park remain open, including the main campground, the group picnic area and the boat ramp. Anglers can still launch boats onto the reservoir. Two yurts are available to rent. Fishing is allowed from the dam along the remainder of the shoreline on the south side of the reservoir.

Due to critically low water flow caused by dry conditions and minimal snowpack levels, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will close a 0.6-mile stretch of the Yampa River between the dam at Stagecoach State Park down to the lowermost park boundary.

The closure begins June 14 and will continue until further notice.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from fishing enthusiasts about proposed changes to fishing regulations at Lake Pueblo, so it is convening a couple Anglers' Roundtables.

When you visit a Colorado State Park this summer, do more than simply as a park ranger for directions to the firewood or for tips on good hikes in the park.

Ask a ranger to tell you some war stories. Ask for their "you had to be there" stories.
The things they can tell you - the funny, scary, heart-wrenching encounters they've experienced on the job - will be more frightening than any ghost story you might swap with friends around your campfire that night.

Here are a couple of mine.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are asking the public for help solving a rash of wildlife harassment cases involving animals shot with blow darts.

Ducks, rabbits, Canada geese, squirrels and other animals have been the targets of blow darts recently in the Colorado Springs area. In some cases, the darts injured the animals. But at least one rabbit has died from its injury.

Free fishing in Colorado June 2-3!

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Colorado's annual free fishing weekend is coming Saturday and Sunday. Fishing licenses will not be required anywhere in the state for people of all ages.

Although a license will not be required, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be enforcing all other rules set for the sport. For those who become "hooked" after a free weekend, licenses are available from hundreds of businesses across the state, or at CPW offices.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks