South Platte Ranger District Over-Snow Vehicle Use

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

Pike National Forest

South Platte Ranger District

Over-Snow Vehicle Use

 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and § 261.50(b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the South Platte Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described further below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Areas”):

1. Possessing or using an over-the-snow vehicle off NFS roads from November 1st through May 31st. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.

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. § 261.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREAS

The Described Areas are all NFS lands in Guanella Pass, Hall Valley, Geneva Creek, and North Twin Cone Areas that are alpine shrub and Krummholz ecosystems (which are ecosystems located above 11,500 ft. in elevation).  

The Described Areas include no over-snow vehicles on NFS trail 600 within the above boundaries.

The Described Areas do not include the following NFS roads, which remain open to over-snow vehicles: NFSR 119, NFSR 565, NFSR 121 and NFSR 120C.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from July 18, 2025, at 12:01 am, through May 31, 2027, at 11:59 pm, unless rescinded.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 & Closures (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 South Platte Ranger District: 30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115, Conifer, CO 80433 (303) 275-5610, and Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in 2840 Kachina Drive Pueblo, CO 81008, (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Areas.

Signed and issued on 7/14/2025

/s/ Ryan Nehl 

Forest and Grassland Supervisor

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands