outdoors

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control is reminding the public to use caution during Independence Day holiday celebrations and do their part to prevent wildfires.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Anglers can vie for $5,000 in cash prizes and actively participate in an important wildlife-management activity at this year's Fourth Annual Smallmouth Bass Tournament at Ridgway State Park, July 7-28. The tournament is sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

No tournament entry fee is required, and the more smallmouth bass anglers catch and keep the better their chances of winning prizes. Anyone 16 years and older must have a Colorado fishing license to participate.

Note: Week-long Elkhead Reservoir fishing tournament begins June 23.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Anglers of all ages, novice or expert, should begin planning now to participate in Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Third Annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic, June 23-July 1. The week-long fishing tournament at Elkhead Reservoir State Park near Craig offers great fun, great fishing and $4,500 in cash plus $4,500 in prizes.

A photo of a salmon fillet held to a tree with black electrical tape made it obvious to Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Bob Carochi that a poacher was illegally baiting and killing bears in his district.

Because so many kids today are over-scheduled, over-screened and over-protected - and spending as little as 4-7 minutes outside each day - the Generation Wild campaign is a movement to change this dynamic by inspiring kids (and moms) to get outside more often, letting their imaginations and curiosity run wild. 

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.