Boat Ramps Closing for the Season at State Parks in Colorado

***Press Release***

DENVER – The boat ramps at state parks in Colorado have started to close for the season. The boat ramps will reopen in the spring when the ice thaws.

The State Parks where the boat ramps have closed:

• Barr Lake State Park

• Crawford State Park

• Eleven Mile State Park

• Harvey Gap State Park

• Jackson Lake State Park

• Lathrop State Park

• North Sterling State Park

• Mancos State Park

• Pearl Lake State Park

• Rifle Gap State Park

• Ridgway State Park

• San Luis State Park

• Spinney Mountain State Park

• Stagecoach State Park

• Steamboat Lake State Park

• Vega State Park

At Chatfield State Park, the South Boat Ramp closed on Oct. 31 and the North Boat Ramp will remain open through November, when Chatfield closes to all boating on Dec.1. The aquatic nuisance species inspection station at the North Boat Ramp will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day through Nov. 1. Chatfield will reopen to boating on March 1, if ice conditions permit.  

The boat ramps at Boyd Lake, Navajo and Trinidad Lake State Parks will close at the end of the day on Nov. 30. However, anyone wishing to launch at Navajo from Dec. 1, 2012 through Feb. 28, 2013 can contact the Navajo State Park office, 970-883-2208 to schedule an appointment for a boating inspection prior to launching.

For additional closures and information about hand launched vessels and ice fishing, please visit the individual park websites at http://cpw.state.co.us.

All Colorado State Parks will remain open for other outdoor recreation activities throughout the winter. Please check the respective Colorado State Park web pages at http://cpw.state.co.us

Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, more than 300 state wildlife areas, all of Colorado's wildlife, and a variety of outdoor recreation. For more information, please visit http://cpw.state.co.us

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Offers Boating Safety Video

***Press Release***

DENVER – The long Labor Day weekend is coming when boating is fun for the whole family, providing a great way to cool off in while exploring lakes, reservoirs and rivers. To help boaters stay safe, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has created a boating safety video, available at the bottom of the boating safety webpage, http://parks.state.co.us/Boating/BoatingSafety/. In the video, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s  Boating Safety Program Manager Kris Wahlers explains how to boat safe, boat smart and boat sober. And, Wahlers emphasizes the importance of wearing a life jacket.

                      Boating safe means checking all your safety equipment, especially life jackets, to make sure it is in good condition. Wahlers said life jackets provide the floatation that saves lives, especially in the chilly waters of Colorado’s lakes, reservoirs and rivers.

                      “Last year, nine people drowned in Colorado boating accidents and five of them weren’t wearing life jackets,” he said. “A lot of people believe they can swim their way out of the water, but the cold water temperatures here can cause shock and hypothermia. Always buckle up.”

                      Boating smart involves taking boating safety education classes and review sessions. The classes are open and encouraged for everyone, but required for young motorboat drivers, 14-15 years old. The classes are held across the state. To check the schedule and reserve a spot, visit http://parks.state.co.us/Boating/BoatingSafety/.

                     “Of all boaters involved in an accident last year, only 17 percent had any type of boat safety education,” said Wahlers, who teaches many of the classes. “Taking a safety class can also lower boat insurance rates.”

                      Play it safe on the water and boat sober. Wahlers said boating under the influence is a primary factor in almost 20 percent of all recreational boating fatalities.

                      “Everyone knows how dangerous it is to drive a car after drinking alcohol, but the heat, sun and other stressors of boating multiply the risks,” said Wahlers. “Boating under the influence isn’t just dangerous for the boat operator; it puts their passengers and everyone on the lake at risk.”                       

                     Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://www.parks.state.co.us.  To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

North Sterling State Park Remains Open for Boating

STERLING, Colo. – While the drought has forced many reservoirs to close to boating, North Sterling State Park remains open to boating. The lake has been dropping and the Elks Boat Ramp is closed, said Park Manager David Piper, but the South Boat Ramp is still open and has about twenty feet of water on it, ensuring the lake will stay open to boating for a while.

              “The fishing at North Sterling is the best that the park has offered in eight years,” said Piper. “With good fishing and water levels high enough to boat, now is a good time to get out and enjoy the reservoir before the summer is over.”

                     Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Jackson Lake State Park Closed for Boating Due to Low Water

ORCHARD, Colo. – Jackson Lake State Park Manager Brad Jackson said Friday that the lake is now closed to boating because the water level in the lake has dropped below the bottom of the boat ramp. The lake will begin to fill again on Nov. 1 and will be full in the spring.  The lake will open to boating in the spring as soon as the ice has thawed and hazards are removed.

                    The park will remain open all year for camping, wildlife viewing, riding on the OHV track and many other activities.  The annual chili and Dutch oven cook-off will still take place on Sept. 8. To register for the cook-off, please contact Darby Shanks at 970-645-2551.  Hunting ducks from boats this fall will also not be possible because of the inability to launch a boat on the water.

                     Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://www.parks.state.co.us.  To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

Colorado Marine Law Enforcement Officers Gear Up For 2012 Operation Dry Water

***Colorado State Parks Press Release***

DENVER – Recreational boating fatalities last year jumped to their highest levels since 1998 and boating under the influence (BUI) was the leading contributing factor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s report, 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics. The report comes just weeks before Colorado marine law enforcement officers participate in the Operation Dry Water 2012, an annual nationwide campaign focused on enforcement of BUI laws and educating all boaters to the risks of operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Officers will be out in force Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24 looking for boaters whose blood alcohol content exceeds the state limit of .08. Operation Dry Water will include increased and focused patrols, checkpoints, as well as boater education. Impaired boaters can expect penalties to be severe. In Colorado, the consequences for BUI include fines, jail time, court-ordered volunteer service, impoundment of the boat, mandatory boating safety education and even loss of boating privileges.

“We intend to arrest intoxicated boaters and to reach out to as many people as possible about the hazards of boating under the influence,” says Kris Wahlers, Colorado’s spokesman for the event.

BUI continues to be a major problem in the United States. Boat operators or even passengers with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit run a significantly increased risk of being involved in a fatal boating accident. Alcohol was a contributing factor in just 6 percent of boating accidents overall, but figured in 16 percent of boating fatalities in the United States last year. When impaired by alcohol, boating accidents are more probable and more deadly for both passengers and boat operators, many of whom capsize their vessel or simply fall overboard. 

Operation Dry Water, a multi-agency education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, puts thousands of local, state and federal marine law enforcement officers on the water nationwide prior to the Fourth of July holiday to give BUI enforcement high visibility during the peak boating season.

"There will be arrests this weekend, and some boaters will face the consequences of boating under the influence," says Wahlers. "Boating is a safe and enjoyable pastime when people stay alert and follow the rules. We want boaters to understand the added risks associated with BUI and to avoid drinking and boating.”  

Operation Dry Water 2012 is a joint program of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit www.operationdrywater.org.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado's state parks, please see: http://parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado's wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

North Sterling State Park Opens for Boating

***Colorado State Parks Press Release***

STERLING, Colo. – North Sterling State Park has opened for boating. Due to early season conditions, boaters must keep a lookout for possible floating debris and always be aware that unmarked hazards may exist. If debris or hazards are discovered, please notify the park staff.  Before boating, check that your vessel has all of the required safety items on board.

                     All trailered vessels must go through an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspection prior to launching. The boat inspections are required prior to launch, so stop by the park office for more information. If you wish to boat outside of inspection hours, you must obtain a seal from a certified ANS boat inspector and go through the proper pre-inspection procedure. Remember to always clean, drain and dry your vessel to help prevent the spread of ANS.

                     North Sterling State Park, located in the northeastern Colorado town of Sterling, is a boater’s paradise offering nearly 3,000 acres of pristine waters. The large, deep reservoir provides water related activities throughout summer months. An additional 2,800 acres of land support a wide variety of recreational activities, including bird-watching, wildlife viewing, hiking and more. The region is home to a diversity of wildlife and has a rich historical heritage. Additional information on North Sterling State Park is available at: www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/NorthSterling.

                     Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

Jackson Lake State Park Opens to Boating March 17

***Colorado State Parks Press Release***


ORCHARD, Colo. – Jackson Lake State Park will open to boating on Saturday, March 17, at 8 a.m. The reservoir is free of ice and the lake is full. To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, all trailered vessels and all vessels with gas powered motors must be inspected prior to launch and must launch and load at the boat ramps.

Boaters are asked to take the necessary precautions before launching their vessel. Boats should be checked before leaving home for all safety equipment, that the motor is running properly, the boat has fuel and that there is no standing water inside the boat. This will allow for a faster inspection and a safer and more relaxing day on the water.

The inspection hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Jackson Lake State Park Visitor Center and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the inspection station. Beginning May 1, the hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. All vessels need to be inspected or follow the pre-inspection process before launching.

The fishing has been good for trout from the dam, inlet and the west shore. Anglers can expect that there will not be a wiper run in the inlet canal this year. The lake was filled in February and will not be taking in any more water. The fishing should continue to improve as the water temperature rises. For more information, please call the park office at (970) 645-2551.

Jackson Lake is participating in the effort to curb the spread of aquatic nuisance species, including zebra and quagga mussels, in the state’s reservoirs and waterways. All vessels entering and leaving Jackson Lake will be inspected for ANS. If ANS are detected on any of the watercraft, decontamination is required. To speed up the inspection process, boaters are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their vessel, including removing the plug to drain the water, prior to entering the park and as soon as the watercraft has left the water. For more information about the state’s aquatic nuisance species program, visit www.parks.state.co.us/Boating.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.