Celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day at Colorado state parks

Colorado public lands provide a variety of outdoor spaces that enrich our lives. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with several local, state and federal partner agencies, invites you to join us outdoors to celebrate Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday, May 17.

Colorado Public Lands Day is an annual opportunity to celebrate Colorado’s outdoor heritage, diverse landscapes, and bring people from all Colorado communities together to enjoy our public lands.

In May 2016, Colorado became the first state in the nation to establish a state holiday for our public lands. The third Saturday in May is now recognized as Colorado Public Lands Day, a day to celebrate how our public lands are central to our economy and our quality of life.

The adoption of the holiday was championed by Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, to encourage Coloradans to learn about and appreciate the abundance of outdoor opportunities and stewardship responsibilities.

Colorado is home to 22 million acres of public lands to explore, including 43 state parks, more than 350 state wildlife areas, 13 National Park Service units, 11 national forests, two national grasslands and a variety of additional local and federal lands and open spaces.

“Our public lands play an essential role in what makes Colorado such a spectacular place to live and visit,” said CPW Deputy Director Heather Disney Dugan. “Spending time in nature is good for us. It helps teach us, inspire us and nourishes our bodies and minds. Colorado Public Lands Day gives all of us a chance to celebrate and recognize the significant contributions that our public lands make to our quality of life.”

In honor of Colorado Public Lands Day, CPW is hosting several events, which can be found here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

American Hiking Society Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the America the Beautiful Act, Legislation to Extend National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

American Hiking Society and the 59 million-strong hiking community applaud the bipartisan leadership of U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Sheehy (R-WY), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for introducing the America the Beautiful for All Act, which would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) for an additional eight years.

“American Hiking Society and the hiking community applaud the introduction of legislation by Senator Daines and Senator King to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “This legislation will continue the success of the program, which has restored access to our public lands across 1,500 projects, generated $4.5 billion in economic impact, and supports 20,000 jobs annually. The Legacy Restoration Fund both enhances the hiking experience across public lands and drives economic growth. It’s a win for all.”

This critical bill would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund for an additional eight years. In 2020, Congress passed and the President signed into law landmark legislation creating this program that unlocked a new way to address the extensive backlog of maintenance across our public lands. This backlog resulted in cut off access to trails, visitor centers, campgrounds, roads, and other critical resources that are needed to ensure that everyone has access to our nation’s public lands.

Over the last five years, the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), across 1,500 projects and 11,300 improved assets, the LRF is setting out to accomplish what Congress intended it to do. The work can’t stop here though and this critical program needs to continue!

American Hiking Society encourages hikers, trail users, and all who care about public lands to urge their senators to co-sponsor the America the Beautiful for All Act. Take action here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

GMUG plans partial, temporary closure of Bear Creek National Recreation Trail

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announce temporary closure of Bear Creek National Recreation Trail for reconstruction efforts from May through October. The trail will be closed Monday through Friday but will remain open on weekends.

Crews will resume work to reconstruct portions of the trail between the trailhead and Yellow Jacket Mine, including extensive construction of stone retaining walls, drainage structures and low water crossings.

The upper sections of Bear Creek Trail will remain open and are accessible via Engineer Pass and Horsethief Trail.

“The safety of the public and the workers involved in the trail reconstruction project is our top priority,” said Dana Gardunio, district ranger for the Ouray Ranger District. “By closing the affected section of the trail, we aim to complete reconstruction work efficiently and mitigate potential hazards during the construction process.”

The work to reconstruct the trail is using funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and is being completed through a partnership with the National Forest Foundation.

For current road conditions and closures, visitors can contact the Ouray Ranger District at 970-240-5300.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Avalanche danger in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media earlier today:

Avalanche danger in Rocky Mountain National Park for Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9, ranges from Low below treeline, to Moderate near treeline, and to Considerable above treeline. For detailed information, visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC at https://avalanche.state.co.us/ and follow them on social media.

Before heading out into the backcountry, make sure that everyone in your group is avalanche aware. If recreating in these areas, all members of your party are advised to have rescue equipment, education and experience to make informed decisions about traveling in avalanche terrain.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Work near Sprague Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media the other day:

Beginning on Monday, May 5, RMNP Trail Crews will be working near the Sprague Lake Trailhead to repair and replace bridges. This project will take approximately 2-weeks to complete.

During this time, those planning to visit Sprague Lake and walk around the Sprague Lake Loop Trail will need to use the temporary access trailhead and the Sprague Lake Stock Trail, located in Sprague Lake Parking Area near the Restroom building.

While this project is underway, Sprague Lake Trail, Picnic and Parking Areas will remain open.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com