Free entrance to Colorado state parks for military and veterans in August

As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers active duty military, veterans and the National Guard free admission to all state parks for the month of August.

Military members and veterans, resident and nonresident, can pick up a free August Military Pass at any Colorado state park or CPW office by showing proof of service. Passes become available on Aug. 1, 2021.

The free park pass provides a chance to experience Colorado’s state parks and the diverse wildlife and landscapes the state provides. All other park fees remain in effect, including camping reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses. The pass is also not valid for accessing State Wildlife Areas.

CPW offers several additional military benefits to active duty military, veterans and disabled veterans. Programs include free admission to state parks on Veterans Day, year-round free entry to all state parks to residents with Colorado Disabled Veterans license plates and free small game and fishing combination licenses for qualified disabled veterans. CPW also offers a Columbine Pass which offers reduced park entrance fees to disabled Colorado residents.

For more information about Colorado’s state parks, visit the CPW website.


Jeff
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Many Poudre Canyon Recreation Sites Reopen following Black Hollow Flood; Others Remain Closed for Safety

Many recreation areas along the Poudre Canyon that were closed due to the Black Hollow Flood have reopened after Forest Service employees were able to evaluate those areas for any damage or new safety hazards. This includes eight of the 11 campgrounds in the canyon, as well as many trailheads and picnic areas. Most of those closed as part of the Cameron Peak Fire Area Closure remain closed; however, the Blue Lake and Rawah trails are now open. Find the latest closure order map on the forest website.

It is important for visitors to the burn area to be aware of safety hazards within the burn scar, including but not limited to, falling trees, flood risks, stump holes and rock fall danger. Be sure to check local weather information and monitor for the risk of flooding in burned areas. Your safety is your responsibility.

Visitors are reminded to always check the latest status of areas they plan to recreate on the forest website. Many areas impacted by the Cameron Peak Fire remain completely closed or are closed to motorize travel. These closures are in place for the safety of visitors and those working in the area, as well as natural resource protection.

It may be helpful to know some popular areas that have been heavily impacted may not be able to reopen this year, especially given the interconnectivity of the roads and trails systems. On the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, this includes the Jacks Gulch Campground, the Swamp Creek area, many Forest Service Roads south of Deadman Road, Crown Point Road and others.

As fire suppression repair work and other recovery efforts are completed, more areas will begin to open. Many factors come into play when determining when an area can reopen. Beyond the immediate risk of hazard trees, considerations need to be made for trail markers, erosion control and trail stabilization issues, travel route interconnectivity, damaged infrastructure like bridges, fire suppression repair work and other recovery efforts. The Cameron Peak Fire burned more than 173,000 acres of National Forest System lands within its 208,913-acre scar. We appreciate all the employees, partners and volunteers working together to protect and repair these lands.

As visitors start to make plans for future recreational outings, they should expect to find a changed landscape, with the potential for both long- and short-term closures, as well as potential hazards. Visitors should always have a back-up plan in case an area has a temporary closure or is full. To help people plan their visit, we recommend everyone checks the Know Before You Go page for helpful tips, including closures due to the East Troublesome and Williams Fork fires.


Jeff
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National Park Service Rescinds Stage I Fire Restrictions at Black Canyon and Curecanti

At midnight Thursday, July 22, 2021, Stage I Fire Restrictions will be rescinded for both Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Recent rains in the area have increased fuel moisture and lessened fire danger, but visitors are asked to remain cautious with fire.

As is always the case at Black Canyon and Curecanti, campfires are restricted to fire rings in established campground and picnic areas. Beach fires are allowed on the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Please exercise extreme caution; keep flame length low and be sure that all fires are out and cool to the touch. In high winds, burning debris from your campfire can start fires well downwind. When the wind comes up, your campfire should go down and out.

Although current weather patterns favor afternoon showers, drier weather and fuel moisture may require a return to fire restrictions. For more fire-related information on Colorado’s Western Slope, please visit: WestSlopeFireInfo.com.


Jeff
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Body Recovered On Mountain Lady Washington

Last night, Thursday, July 15, park rangers recovered the body of a 35-year-old female from Loveland, Colorado, just west of Martha’s Couloir on Mount Lady Washington in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Yesterday afternoon, park rangers were notified by a family member that they had received information via a satellite communication device of an emergency. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members arrived on scene via ground at 4:45 p.m. and were aided with aerial search efforts by Mesa Verde Interagency Helitak crew, assigned to the Morgan Creek Fire near Steamboat Springs. It appears the woman took an approximate 200- foot tumbling fall.

The woman’s body was flown at approximately 8:15 p.m. via a long line operation to the Upper Beaver Meadows helipad where she was transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s office. The woman’s name will be released after next of kin are notified.

As is standard protocol the incident is under investigation. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members stayed at the Chasm Shelter last night and are hiking out this morning.


Jeff
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Public Input Requested On Long-Range Day Use Visitor Access Strategy

Rocky Mountain National Park staff are seeking the public's engagement and input on the park's long-range Day Use Visitor Access Strategy. "We are eager to continue engaging with our stakeholders and connect with park visitors from near and far, to help identify shared values, clarify key issues, and begin to develop potential management strategies to help the park prepare for our long-term day use strategy" said Park Superintendent, Darla Sidles. "We hope to hear from current park visitors as well as those who have told us they no longer visit Rocky Mountain National Park because of crowding and congestion." Public comments are invited for sixty days which began on May 21 through July 19, 2021.

In May, the park hosted two virtual meetings regarding this strategy. The meetings provided opportunities to learn more about the purpose of the project, key issues, desired conditions for day use visitor access, potential management strategies, ask questions of National Park Service staff and get information on how to provide formal written comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. Each webinar begans with a presentation, followed by a question and answer session. The recorded links to these meetings are available at https://www.nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/day-use-visitor-access-strategy.htm The content was the same for both meetings.

This Pre-NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) phase is a step in the long-range planning process but not the end, there will be more opportunities for public involvement looking at more developed strategies ahead. Pre-NEPA planning allows park staff to define the issues and their impacts as well as explore possible ways to address those issues. At the end of the pre-NEPA planning, park staff will have initial input and reactions from the public on our identified issues and possible ways to address those issues.

Rocky Mountain National Park has experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation since 2012. Rapid growth in day use visitation and changing use patterns in the park have degraded natural and cultural resources, diminished quality of the visitor experience, increased visitor and staff safety concerns, and created a heavy strain on the park's facilities and ability to perform daily operations. The purpose of the Rocky Mountain National Park long-range Day Use Visitor Access Strategy is to provide visitor access in a way that enhances the protection of the fundamental resources and values for which the park was created. The goal of the process is to identify strategies that will help protect park resources, offer varied opportunities for high quality visitor experiences, enhance visitor and staff safety, and coincide with the park's operational capacity.

Park staff encourage public participation throughout the planning process. There will be additional opportunities to comment formally on the project during the future NEPA process. Public comments for this stage are invited for sixty days beginning May 21 through July 19, 2021 by visiting https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROMO_Duvas Click on "Open for Comment" on the left side of the screen. Then select, "Day Use Visitor Access Strategy Power Point Presentation."

Comments may also be sent to the following mailing address:

Superintendent
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 US Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Although you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so.


Jeff
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(Updated) Fern Lake Road Will Be Closed July 8 and July 9 For Emergency Road Work

Update: This project is complete per park Tweet:

Fern Lake Rd #RMNP culvert work is complete. The section of road from the winter turnaround to the trailhead has reopened.

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 8, and potentially Friday, July 9, the Fern Lake Road will be closed beyond the winter turnaround to all uses. The park’s road crew will be replacing a culvert that was damaged during the East Troublesome Fire and received further damage during recent heavy rains.


Jeff
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado State University partner to study wolf reintroduction stakeholder engagement process

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado State University are partnering on a research study about the public and stakeholder engagement process associated with wolf reintroduction in the state. The research will be funded by a RAPID National Science Foundation (NSF) grant from the Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Directorate. RAPID is a term used by NSF to describe research projects that require a rapid response.

Colorado citizens voted Proposition 114 into statute in 2020. The initiative directs the CPW Commission to restore and manage gray wolves in Colorado no later than December 31, 2023. Based on public feedback and CPW’s expertise in developing wildlife management plans, the agency is moving forward with a strategic, phased approach that will enable stakeholder engagement and public involvement throughout the planning process for wolf reintroduction efforts.

This marks the first time voters have decided to reintroduce wolves in the U.S., providing an unprecedented opportunity for CPW and CSU researchers to analyze and evaluate the impacts of the public and stakeholder engagement processes on wolf restoration efforts.

“Research suggests that stakeholder engagement can enhance decision-making about impassioned natural resource management issues,” said CPW’s Human Dimensions Specialist and Researcher Dr. Mike Quartuch, who is a co-principal investigator for this project. “Our agency sees great value in listening to public feedback as we work to shape the wolf management plan for Colorado, and we want to examine if our processes are effective. This study will help us identify areas of success and any challenges we encounter. We look forward to collaborating with our research partners at CSU and studying how engaging the public in policy planning initiatives can lead to more well-rounded solutions and engaged communities.”

Wolf reintroduction is a complex issue that elicits different emotional responses from the public. Some stakeholder groups support wolf reintroduction due to cultural connections to wolves and the perceived benefits that wolves can provide to ecosystems. Other stakeholder groups oppose reintroduction due to the perceived negative impacts of wolves on livestock, hunting opportunities and the safety of people and pets.

CPW has convened a Stakeholder Advisory Group representing a broad range of interests in summer 2021 to inform the development of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction and management plan. The agency hired a third-party facilitator, Keystone Policy Center, to run the advisory group as well as broader public engagement efforts. These efforts include public meetings and other forums to collect public input, as well as sharing key takeaways from the advisory group process. The stakeholder engagement process is defined by bringing stakeholders together through facilitated, open dialogue to enhance understanding about different perspectives and to build empathy and learning, which can then lead to the development of co-created solutions that incorporate diverse values.

This study is a collaborative research effort between CPW and CSU that will serve as an opportunity to examine CPW’s advisory group processes and how to improve them over time. This study is not part of the wolf reintroduction planning process or connected to the public involvement process for gray wolf reintroduction efforts led by the Keystone Policy Center.

Research about the stakeholder engagement process will be collected through interviews and surveys of stakeholders and members of the public. The research will assess outcomes for involved stakeholders and examine whether, and to what degree, information flows from the advisory process to other stakeholders and the general public, and whether this leads to improved social outcomes. Examples of social outcomes could include trust, acceptance of management plans, learning and conflict reduction.

CSU researchers and CSU Extension teamed up in 2020 to produce and publish educational materials on the possibility of wolf restoration in Colorado. Researchers from CSU’s Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence – including Assistant Professor Rebecca Niemiec – engaged with the public and stakeholders during meetings and webinars and took part in numerous national and local media interviews. Niemiec is a principal investigator for this new project, a scientist in CSU’s Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and also co-director of the Center for Human Carnivore Coexistence.

For more information about wolf management in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us/Wolves-Stay-Informed or https://www.wolfengagementco.org/.


Jeff
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Due To The Efforts Of Many, Additional Trails In Rocky Mountain National Park Reopen After East Troublesome Fire Impacts

Additional trails have reopened in Rocky Mountain National Park, as park staff continue to address impacts from the East Troublesome Fire. Crews have removed down trees and replaced and repaired bridges and trail stabilization materials. Many bridges and replacement material, like pressure treated logs, were prefabricated over the winter. These items were flown in this spring to expedite re-opening of areas and limit further damage to the trails. Pressure treated logs are being used to rebuild burned staircases, retaining walls and turnpikes.

On the west side of the park, the North Inlet Trail has reopened.

On the east side of the park, the Fern Lake Trail has reopened, however the Spruce Lake Trail remains closed. The Mill Creek Basin area has reopened including the Hollowell Park Trail to Bierstadt Lake, as well as the Mount Wuh/Steep Mountain junction from the Cub Lake Trail.

These specific trails experienced significant impacts during the East Troublesome Fire. Park visitors should be aware of additional hazards when recreating in these burn areas including:

* Burned-out stump holes where the ground may be weak and unstable
* Unstable dead trees, especially in windy conditions
* Loose rocks, logs and rolling debris
* Flash flooding and significant debris flow possible in burn areas
* Dry, hot conditions with little forest canopy to provide shade

Ninety-four people are working in the park on repairing burn area trails this summer. Fifty are Rocky Mountain National Park trail crew members, and four are from the National Park Service Southeast Utah Group. Assisting the National Park Service include forty additional crew members; one crew is from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Fire Corp, one crew from the Larimer County Conservation Corp and one crew from the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp based in Steamboat Springs.

For the most current status of trails, including maps, please visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/fire-information-and-regulations.htm

On Wednesday, October 21, the East Troublesome Fire ran approximately 18 miles before it moved into the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, and then spotted approximately 1.5 miles from the head of Tonahutu Creek on the west side of the Continental Divide to the head of Spruce Creek on the east side of the Continental Divide. Rapid evacuations took place in Grand Lake on October 21. Evacuations for the majority of the Estes Valley were implemented on October 22, as weather predictions forecast major winds on the night of October 23 through October 24 pushing the fire further to the east. Firefighting actions and favorable weather on October 24 and 25, helped halt the major movement of the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires.

Approximately 30,000 acres or 9 percent of Rocky Mountain National Park has been impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s non-profit partner, The Rocky Mountain Conservancy, is accepting donations to support the park’s future restoration efforts from this season’s fires https://rmconservancy.org/join-or-give/donate/


Jeff
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Old Fall River Road Opens To Vehicles Tomorrow

Old Fall River Road will open to vehicles on Saturday, July 3. Old Fall River Road normally opens by fourth of July weekend. Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which travels from Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one-way only. Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited on the road.

Travelers should plan ahead for Rocky Mountain National Park’s pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system which began on May 28. Park staff are managing for significant increases in visitation to public lands in Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park, along with continued Covid-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges, reduced shuttle bus capacity and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020.

There are two types of reservations. One reservation permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period is from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second reservation permit is for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reservation period is from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. and includes Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road. Permits issued using the reservation system allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system applies to all areas of the park.

Timed entry reservations are full for the month of July. However, twenty-five percent of reservation permits are being held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These continue to sell out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.

For more information and a link to recreation.gov visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm

Old Fall River Road is scheduled to close to vehicles for the season on October 4, 2021.


Jeff
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Rocky Mountain National Park Visitors: Beware of Area and Trail Closures This Year

With hiking season already in full gear, now is a good time to remind visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park that there are several trail and area closures that you should be aware of as a result of last years' wildfires. Approximately 30,000 acres or 10 percent of the park was impacted by the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak Fires of 2020. As of right now, these are the current closures posted on the park website:

West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

Park visitors should not stop or park along the roadside from the Grand Lake Entrance to the Onahu Trail, due to hazard trees along the road from the East Troublesome Fire. There is no access to trails, picnic areas or parking areas along this section of the road including the Harbison Picnic Area and the Green Mountain Trail.

* The Onahu Trail and the Continental Divide Connector Trail to the inholder road has reopened.
* The Green Mountain Trail remains closed.
* The North Inlet/Tonahutu Trail remains closed.
* The Sun Valley Trail remains closed.

East Side of Rocky Mountain National Park

In the Bear Lake area:

* The trail from Lake Helene to Odessa Lake has reopened and remains closed from Odessa Lake to the Pool.
* The Flattop Trail is open to the summit of Flattop Mountain but is closed past this point to the west of the Continental Divide.

Along the Bear Lake Road corridor:

* The Fern Lake Trail (past the Pool) remains closed.
* The Cub Lake Loop Trail between the Cub Lake Trailhead and the Fern Lake Trailhead is open.
* The Trail junction above Cub Lake to Mount Wuh and Steep Mountain remains closed.
* The Mill Creek Basin remains closed.
* Hollowell Park remains closed.

Beaver Mountain area and trails remains closed. The Northwest Area of Rocky Mountain National Park and all trails remains closed.

Park staff will continue to assess closed areas on both sides of the park for fire impacts, safety and downed trees, erosion and rock fall. It is unknown when all park trails impacted by the fires of 2020 will reopen. Many will reopen this summer, a few will likely remain closed. For the latest information on fire related closures, please visit this park page, or view the area closure map.

If you're planning to visit Rocky Mountain this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.


Jeff
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