Public roads and trails provide the majority of access for hunters and other recreationists.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are in charge of road closures.
Please be aware that road closure information is subject to change daily. Be sure to contact the correct BLM and USFS offices not only while you are planning your hunt, but also as close to the day of your hunt as possible to ensure you can gain access to the area you plan to hunt.
The USFS and BLM close roads seasonally for many reasons. Some roads are closed to protect wildlife at critical times of the year; others are closed because they are not passable due to snow, snow drifts and ice or to protect the road bed. Roads can be closed for planned activities, such as helicopter activity, burns, logging projects and large scale energy work. Fires, wash-outs and fallen trees can also cause road closures. See Bark Beetle for tips on avoiding falling trees.
Some planned, or prescribed, burns occur during hunting seasons, which can lead to road closures. Finding a window for planned burns can be tough, but this short-term inconvenience can provide substantial long term benefits for wildlife and sportsmen. Fires help to clear dense brush, developing excellent habitat conditions for wildlife. See "Waiting for the Window"
to learn more about the benefits of planned burns.
Before you head out to hunt or play, please practice the following to keep your visit legal:
- Stay on designated roads and trails and use the vehicle that is approved for the route.
- Contact your local ranger district or BLM Field Office to find out what areas have restrictions and pickup a free Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and use your Visitor Map in conjunction with the MVUM.
- Certain roads and trails are open to certain types of uses, these are shown on the MVUM and often on the ground with signing.
- Please avoid causing rutting and/or braiding on the road in wet, muddy conditions.
- Please obey road closures, closed gates and signed closures.
- Do not ride or drive cross-country, even for game retrieval.
- Respect private lands and other recreationists.
- Ensure your fire is completely out and cool; be careful where you smoke and where you park your vehicles as all these can start wildfires.
- When inclement weather is forecast, hunt high and camp low to keep from getting snowed in during the later seasons.
- Tread Lightly Colorado!
Map
Below is a map with GMUs and USFS land to aid in determining road closure contact information. The second map has GMUs and BLM land to determine BLM road closure contact information.
U.S. Forest Service Road Closure Contact Information
BLM Road Closure Contact Information
