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BLM Colorado reopens some public lands closed for public, firefighter safety

Colorado
Upper Colorado River DO
Grand Junction FO
Media Contact
BLM Office:
Grand Junction Field Office

 

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management will reopen some public lands in Mesa County Friday after the Turner Gulch wildfire prompted land closures. Some areas remain closed to keep the public and firefighters safe while crews work to restore the damage from fire suppression efforts.

Areas now open

The modified order reopens the BLM-managed public lands south and east of Highway 141 and north of Ute Creek to boundaries with private property and U. S. Forest Service lands.

Areas still closed

The Niche Road remains closed under the revised order. Additionally, 7,202 acres remain closed. Lands south of Ute Creek that are bound by private land, the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, and a line extending east from the town of Gateway to the National Forest boundary, remain closed. Please see the attached map for details. These areas will remain closed until the Grand Junction Field Office rescinds the order.

Exemptions

All public access to the area is prohibited, with specific exemptions for:

  • Federal, state, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties
  • Members of organized rescue or fire-fighting forces in the performance of their official duties
  • People with written authorization from the BLM

Violations of this emergency order may lead to prosecution, with fines and possible imprisonment. Additional details and a closure map are available on the Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions webpage. 

We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and resource integrity during this critical time. For further information, please contact the Grand Junction Field Office Front Desk at 970-244-3000.

 

Map of BLM-managed public lands near Gateway, Colorado, that remain closed while crews continue repair work after Turner Gulch Fire.
MAP: Features BLM-managed public lands near Gateway, Colorado, that remain closed while crews continue repair work after Turner Gulch Fire.

 

Related Files

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.