Occupancy and Use Prohibitions Pertaining to Lakes

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service  

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & 

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands  

Leadville Ranger District, Salida Ranger District, San Carlos Ranger District, Pikes Peak Ranger District, South Park Ranger District, South Platte Ranger District 

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions 
 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) waters within Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park, and South Platte Ranger Districts in the Pike-San Isabel National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas”):  

1. Possessing or operating a motorboat on any body of water within the Pike-San Isabel National Forests, except Jefferson Lake, Twin Lakes, Turquoise Lake, and Rampart Reservoir. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(n) 
2. Operating any boat or watercraft on Jefferson Lake in excess of the posted speed limit, which is five miles per hour. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(q) 
3. Entering or being in Nichols Reservoir, including on a boat or watercraft of any kind. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(k) 
4. Entering or being in Manitou Lake, except on a non-motorized boat or watercraft. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(k) 
5. Entering or being in Rampart Reservoir, except on a boat or watercraft of any kind. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(k)  

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2). 
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

DESCRIBED AREAS 

The Described Areas are the bodies of water within the Pike-San Isabel National Forests, including the following lakes and reservoirs specifically identified above: 

1. Jefferson Lake is located on the South Park Ranger District in Park County in Township 7 South, Range 76 West. 
2. Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake are located on the Leadville Ranger District in Lake County. Twin Lakes is located in Township 11 South, Range 80-81 West and Turquoise Lake is located in Township 9 South, Range 80-81 West. 
3. Rampart Reservoir and Nichols Reservoir are located on the Pikes Peak Ranger District in El Paso County and Manitou Lake is located on the Pikes Peak Ranger District in Teller County. Rampart Reservoir and Nichols Reservoir are located in Township 12 South, Range 68 West and Manitou Lake is located in Township 11 South, Range 69 West. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public safety. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect on April 29, 2023, at 12:01 AM, and will remain in effect through April 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM, unless rescinded. 
2. A map identifying the Described Areas is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). 
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.  
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581. 
5. Contact the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, Colorado, at (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order.  
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Areas. 
    

Diana M. Trujillo 

Forest and Grassland Supervisor 

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & 

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands