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Montrose, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southwest District lifted annual seasonal closures of certain public lands in the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre Field Offices April 30, 2022. The closures are necessary to protect critical wildlife habitat, minimize stress to wintering mule deer, elk and nesting raptors while also preventing road damage.

“I would like to thank the public for their cooperation in protecting the critical habitat areas for the wildlife that makes southwest Colorado such a special place,” said Elizabeth Dawson, acting District Manager. “We appreciate the public’s understanding and continued support in complying with future seasonal closures on BLM managed public lands.”

Within the Tres Rios Field Office, annual closures will lift on Animas City Mountain, Grandview Ridge Recreation Management Zone in the Durango Special Recreation Management Area, the Aqueduct, Chutes and Ladders, the Summit areas within the Montezuma Triangle Recreation Management Zone portion of the Cortez Special Recreation Management Area.

Within the Uncompahgre Field Office, lifted closures include the Dry Creek Recreation Area, the Ridgeway Trails Recreation Area, the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, the Jumbo Mountain Special Recreation Area, the Burn Canyon Area, and the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area.

The BLM coordinates with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local agencies to identify key wildlife areas for protection while providing areas open for public recreation. Colorado Parks and Wildlife data on deer and elk movements throughout the years indicates that closing areas to human activity helps protect critical foraging habitat and enables the animals to conserve energy for winter survival.

Maps and a complete list of areas affected by these closures and areas open for use are available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/colorado/closures and the Southwest District office: 2465 S Townsend Ave. Montrose CO 81401. For additional information, call the Southwest District office at (970) 240-5300.

-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.