Tres Rios Field Office

The BLM Tres Rios Field Office (TRFO) is responsible for the management and stewardship of more than 600,000 acres of public land in southwestern Colorado. TRFO also administers federal mineral estate underlying private lands (split estate) and has trust responsibility for mineral management on 800,000 acres of Tribal lands. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is part of the TRFO; Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum is located on Highway 184 approximately 3 miles northwest of the field office. 

From the spectacular San Juan Mountains to the stunning Dolores River Canyon, TRFO hosts many of the premier recreation attractions and opportunities in the Four Corners Region, including rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, fishing, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing, and driving one of the area’s many scenic routes.

The Field Office manages four wilderness study areas (Weber Mountain, Dolores River Canyon, Menefee Mountain and McKenna Peak); three recreation management areas (Cortez, Durango, and Dolores River); portions of the Old Spanish Historic Trail, 628 miles of rivers and streams, and 500,000 acres of land open to livestock grazing.  A variety of wildlife calls this area home, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, golden eagles, turkeys, elk, mountain lions, black bears, and collared lizards.

Field Office Spotlight

Annual seasonal wildlife closures are in effect in the Durango and Cortez areas of Tres Rios Field Office

Annual seasonal closure of wildlife winter range are in effect for public lands in the Durango and Cortez areas of the Tres Rios Field Office. Closures remain in place through April 30 (unless lifted earlier due to mild winter conditions) to protect wintering mule deer and elk that move down from higher elevations to ride out harsh winter conditions.

“Every year the BLM partners with the City of Durango and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to close key areas around Durango and Cortez to provide conditions that enable wildlife to make it through the tough winter months,” said Tres Rios Field Manager Derek Padilla.

Before heading out on your public lands, be sure to review maps and detailed information on closure areas, dates, and affected modes of transportation at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/colorado/closures/tres-rios-field-office

Stage 1 fire restrictions have been lifted for Tres Rios Field Office, including Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn

On May 8, 2023, the BLM Southwest District Fire and Aviation program implemented a Type 1 prescribed burn on Animas City Mountain adjacent to the city of Durango. The popular recreational area is managed by the BLM Tres Rios Field Office. Existing and newly created trails were used as unit boundaries. The crew took three days to successfully complete ignition operations on 495 acres and a little over a week of patrolling to ensure that the burn was completely out. The treatment cleaned up the ponderosa pine forest understory to assist in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, while improving wildlife habitat.

Spring Creek Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area Plan Revision

The Tres Rios Field Office issued a decision in July 2020 revising and updating the 1994 Spring Creek Basin HMAP. Implementation of this decision will provide long-term management guidance for sustaining a healthy herd of 50 to 80 adult wild horses in Spring Creek Basin HMA in balance with the ecosystem, while ensuring that Public Land Health Standards developed for Colorado are being achieved. Additional information on this project can be found by visiting the ePlanning project website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1503484/510.

Fuelwood Permits

The Tres Rios Field Office offers the purchase of fuelwood permits online. To purchase a permit visit forestproducts.blm.gov, answer the questions, and review the terms and conditions. Payment information is collected through a secure government payment site. Please print and keep a copy of your permit for law enforcement officers to check.

Special Recreation Permits

Tres Rios Field Office and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument accept commercial Special Recreation Permit applications and modification requests for the following year during the month of September (September 1-30). This includes existing permittees requesting permit modifications, such as requesting additional use areas or proposing changes to the pre-existing purposes and/or activities authorized. Please review the CANM/TRFO Special Recreation Permit Policy for additional information.