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Alerts

As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you online or at any GMUG District office. Please take time to read and understand them. If you have additional questions, please call your local Forest Service Office for clarification.

The following is a list of official alerts/orders/prohibitions issued by the Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. These orders describe the prohibitions, closures and regulations for the Forests and are subject to updates and changes. 

Code of Federal Regulations

  • Title 36 CFR 261 Subpart A - General Prohibitions
  • Title 36 CFR 261 Subpart B - Prohibitions in Areas Designated by Order
  • Title 36 CFR 261 Subpart C - Prohibitions in Regions 

Forest Alerts

  • Blue Lakes area closure

    The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announce temporary closure of Blue Lakes area for trailhead construction and restoration efforts, beginning June 2.

    Alert Start Date: June 2nd, 2025
  • Crystal Creek Road Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to provide for public safety during the Bald Timber Sale. 

    Alert Start Date: November 25th, 2024
  • Forest Hill Road and Area Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety due to the presence of mine tailings that contain elevated levels of lead and arsenic. 

    Alert Start Date: August 1st, 2024
  • Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Regulations

    To protect natural resources and wilderness character, this order describes prohibitions in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

    Alert Start Date: July 19th, 2024
  • Matterhorn Mill Site Area Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and the historic Matterhorn Mill. 

    Alert Start Date: April 30th, 2024
  • Taylor Park Reservoir Use Restrictions

    The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources from the zebra mussel/quagga mussel and other aquatic invasive species infestation. 

    Alert Start Date: November 8th, 2023
  • Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    The purpose of this Order is to mitigate the effects of high levels of use and to protect natural resources and wilderness character.

    Alert Start Date: April 20th, 2023
  • Crested Butte Area Camping and Fire Prohibitions

    The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public safety, as well as to provide high-quality, sustainable recreational opportunities for visitors. 

    Alert Start Date: June 14th, 2022
  • Taylor Canyon and Reservoir Camping Restrictions

    The purpose of this Order is to protect Forest visitors, to protect NFS resources and to provide quality recreational opportunities for visitors in the Taylor River Corridor of the Gunnison National Forests

    Alert Start Date: June 6th, 2022
  • Tincup Camping Restrictions

    The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire and to protect public safety, natural resources, and property in the Tincup area.

    Alert Start Date: June 6th, 2022
  • Food and Refuse Storage Order

    The purpose of this Order is to is to protect public safety and wildlife by minimizing human-wildlife interactions.

    Alert Start Date: May 27th, 2022
  • Doctor Park (NFS Trail 424) Seasonal Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to provide seasonal resource protection for migrating bighorn sheep.

    Alert Start Date: April 4th, 2022
  • Irwin Lodge Road Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and to avoid visitor conflicts. 

    Alert Start Date: January 14th, 2022
  • Mary E and Priest Lake Camping Area

    The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources. 

    Alert Start Date: August 19th, 2021
  • Lizard Head Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Lizard Head Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

    Alert Start Date: July 13th, 2021
  • La Garita Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the La Garita Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

     

    Alert Start Date: June 7th, 2021
  • Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

    Alert Start Date: June 7th, 2021
  • Uncompahgre Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Uncompahgre Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

    Alert Start Date: June 7th, 2021
  • Powderhorn Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Powderhorn Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.

    Alert Start Date: June 7th, 2021
  • Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Fossil Ridge Wilderness and Fossil Ridge Recreation Management Area, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

    Alert Start Date: January 20th, 2021
  • Perimeter Trail Winter Closure

    The purpose of this Order is to protect a bighorn sheep winter concentration area. 

    Alert Start Date: January 7th, 2021
  • Colorado Ski Safety Act Closure Order

    The purpose of this Order is protect the health and safety of National Forest visitors and to protect the resources within the boundary of the developed ski areas. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Telluride Ski Area Motorized Travel Restrictions

    The purpose of this Order is to protect visitors and ski area employees from hazards associated with the public operating vehicles, including over the snow machines, within the Telluride Ski Area and preventing undue interference with ski area maintenance and operations that are authorized under

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • East Naturita & Thunder Roads Camping Restrictions

    The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources along National Forest System Roads 609 and 642. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • East Kebler Pass Winter Recreation Analysis Area

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the East Kebler Pass Analysis area.

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Almont Triangle Winter Closure

    This Order is necessary to protect the special biological communities of deer, elk and bighorn sheep on critical winter range. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Cement Creek Winter Recreation Analysis Area

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the Cement Creek Analysis area. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • East Brush Creek Winter Recreation Analysis Area

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the East Brush Creek Analysis area. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Middle Brush Creek Winter Recreation Analysis Area

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the Middle Brush Creek Analysis area.

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Upper East River Winter Recreation Analysis Area

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the Upper East River Analysis area. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • Washington Gulch Winter Recreation Management

    The purpose of this Order is to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety. 

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • West Brush Creek Winter Recreation Area Analysis

    The purpose of this Order is to prevent conflicts of winter uses within the West Brush Creek Analysis area.

    Alert Start Date: December 17th, 2020
  • General Occupancy and Use on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

    This Order is necessary to protect Forest visitors, to protect the resources of the National Forest System within the Restricted Area, and to provide quality recreational opportunities for visitors.

    Alert Start Date: July 12th, 2017
  • West Elk Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the West Elk Wilderness and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.

    Alert Start Date: March 21st, 2017
  • Raggeds Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

    This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Raggeds Wilderness and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape. 

    Alert Start Date: March 21st, 2017