Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds Durango-area trail users that several areas will close to public access starting Sunday to protect wildlife. Most of the closures will last through April 15.
Closures will be in effect for properties managed by CPW, the Bureau of Land Management and the city of Durango. Public access into those areas will be prohibited during the closure period that is set to protect wintering big game and spring-nesting peregrine falcons. Violation of the closures could result in a citation and fine.
All closures are well-marked with signs. CPW officers do write citations for those violating the closures.
Many other trails are available in the region during the winter. In the Durango area, there are many miles of trails that remain open year-round to hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders.
These closures will start Sunday:
Bodo State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited Sunday through April 15. The Smelter Mountain Trail is open for foot access only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs are prohibited. Perins Peak State Wildlife Area: Public access is prohibited Sunday through April 15. Closures remain in effect through July 31 in areas east of County Road 208. Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads off U.S. Highway 160 are closed to all public use. South Rim Trail, including portions of Sidewinder and Cowboy trails on BLM property accessed from Carbon Junction trail or Crites Connection.Grandview BLM trails accessed from Three Springs.Animas City Mountain upper loop trails. All upper trails in the Twin Buttes open-space area.
