Seasonal Wildlife Parks Closures Announced In Jeffco

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — Jefferson County parks officials have announced which regions will close Feb. 1 to protect wildlife. Each year Jeffco Open Space closes many trails and parks to ensure the species are safe during important stages in their life cycles.

People who ignore signs and hike in areas that have been closed can receive a fine of between $75 and $200, depending on how much destruction they cause.

Violations of seasonal closures implemented to protect bald or golden eagles may result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both, officials warned.

Jeffco Open Space Closures

Centennial Cone Park

Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park, including the interior of the park, is closed from Feb. 1 through mid-June to protect elk during their calving season. All other trails are open.

Clear Creek Canyon Park

Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park near Mile Marker 270 are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from Feb. 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. The closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation and Ghost Crag. The Fault Caves are also included in this closure.

Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Tunnel 2, are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from Feb. 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Highlander, Evil Area and Tetanus Garden.

Deer Creek Canyon Park/Hildebrand Ranch Park

The entirety of Black Bear Trail, which connects Deer Creek Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, is closed from Feb. 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory.

North Table Mountain Park

Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park is closed from Feb. 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

South Table Mountain Park

Lava Loop Trail at South Table Mountain Park is closed from Feb. 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

Cathedral Spires Park

The entirety of Cathedral Spires Park is closed from March 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory.

Crown Hill Park

The Crown Hill Park Wildlife Sanctuary is closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.

Jeffco Open Space Natural Resources staff and wildlife monitoring volunteers monitor local conditions during closures and adjust as needed, wildlife officials said.

More information about the closures can be found here.

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