General Provisions

I support the changes restricting "recreation" that is detrimental to our wildlife including extending closures and improving restrictions that ensure our wild spaces remain that.

I absolutely do not support the change in regulations. The restrictions on the Plateau Creek State Wildlife area are ridiculous. That makes it so we cannot access this section of public land for almost five months. The locals use this site quite frequently throughout that time because it is somewhere that is actually dry. I would strongly recommend changing this; not only does it negatively impact the locals but also negatively impacts the public perception of the DOW.

We are students in the 6th grade class at Marble Charter School in Marble, which is located near Beaver Lake. We are opposed to a few of the proposed changes. Most of us have been living here our whole lives and we visit the lake almost daily. We do not agree with prohibiting people from being on the lake if not fishing. We swim, skate, play, and paddleboard on the lake. We have been life long residents and we would hate to lose our ability to recreate on it the way people in our town always have. This is a central part of our community and childhood and we want to continue to make more memories on the lake. We do agree with no campfires and camping as well as no motorized vehicles past the gate. We think dogs should be allowed to walk around the lake but not go in it. We think there should be more trash cans, more porta potties and dog poop stations and enforcement of current regulations. We are willing to help with an education program about reef safe sunscreen and washing off before swimming in the lake. Beaver Lake is the safest place for us to swim in the summer and gather with our friends. Thank you for letting us have a voice in this important matter.

Hello. As a small game hunter with a young hunting dog, I propose a friendly amendment such that the use of vessels on state wildlife area waters has been restricted to those being actively used for fishing and/or hunting and/or the training of a hunting dog or during a licensed field trial.

I do not support the change in regulations - specifically in the Basalt SWA. The stark change from 3 1/2 months of non-access to 7 1/2 months does not allow for proper time to scout game, study habitats, or successfully access the upcoming hunting seasons. In addition elimination of dog field trials and access by hunting dogs further puts more restrictions on upland bird hunting in the area. This is a direct conflict in why a SWA was created in the first place. I strongly oppose both of these changes.

I would suggest changing the wording of vessels "propelled by hand" to vessels that are "human powered". There are many fishing kayaks that are pedal driven and therefore are "propelled by foot". This would make sure that group isn't excluded from using their fishing kayaks on those SWAs.

The “back door” of Aspen and the orphaned step-child of Marble/Crystal City have been-especially since COVID- re”discovered” and literally overwhelmed. The Town of Marble and the CPW-managed Beaver Lake have taken a huge hit in traffic on County Road 3, beginning of Hwy 133 to the end, at the bottom of Daniel’s Hill. Along with ahuge surge of traffic during summer, comes more pull-behind trailers, all manner of ATV/ UTVs and on top of all the land being massively more trod upon, so too is the tiny 40 acre lake, named for its longest time year-round wildlife inhabitants—those damned dam beavers.

These proposed changes are great! As noted in the document, the primary purposes of SWAs are hunting and fishing. The non-wildlife recreationists have overcrowded the spaces, and in many cases, CPW was forced to make rules that ended up hurting hunters and anglers. For example, many SWAs went to float tube watercraft only to prevent non-wildlife recreationists from kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. Those who used to enjoy fishing from smaller hand-launched vessels were no longer able to do so. The new rule changes gives this opportunity back to the anglers.

I’ve been a resident of the Marble area for the past five years and one of the things I love and appreciate about Colorado is the ability to use SWAs in numerous ways – as a hunter/angler and recreationally to spend time in nature. Ever since I’ve moved here, I’ve always had an annual license – because I also know and respect the fact that the funds that are used from my license go towards the maintenance and conservation of our SWAs. However, when CPW passed the requirement of obtaining a hunting/fishing license to use any SWA (which I support), I’ve found that it was rarely enforced (at least here at Beaver Lake in Marble). Let alone there was no education via Ranger, signage, pamphlets, etc. Without proper enforcement and/or education, how are recreational users of SWAs supposed to know why it’s important to have a fishing/hunting license for these areas? I think if CPW were to post more signage, educational materials and enforce these requirements it would weed out some of the bad apples that ruin it for everyone else. I’ve enjoyed my time at Beaver Lake as both an angler and paddleboarder, so I understand both sides of these proposed changes. I also, don’t mind if I’m throwing out my fly line and someone else is enjoying the sun on their SUP – because in the end we are here for the same reason, spending time in nature. It would be a shame to not be able to share these SWAs because the beauty of Colorado is breathtaking, and I would hate to see a bunch of insane rules be implemented to the point where no one can enjoy it. Remember, this is Colorado – NOT CALIFORNIA. In California there is so much land, that YOU ARE NOT allowed to enjoy because it’s owned by someone else. Being able to live in a state with SWAs allows us as Coloradans to be able to enjoy this beautiful place we call home – whether it’s recreationally or to hunt and fish. Let’s work harder on educating people the importance of maintaining and conserving these beautiful places, while also letting everyone enjoy their time in nature. If that means fishing OR getting a little workout doing a couple laps on your paddleboard at the lake – let’s share and work together.

Beaver Lake, Marble CO I oppose the suggested changes to Beaver Lake. We go to the lake almost daily all year long. The proposed chages do not reflect the changes that need to be made at Beaver Lake. I oppose only allowing fishing vessels on the lake and banning dogs. We purchase fishing licenses each year for the sole purpose of paddleboarding on the lake, paddleboarding should be allowed on the lake. Motorized vessels should not be allowed. I do wish there was a way to ensure all users had a fishing license that use the lake as it would raise funds for the CPW and cut down on those using the lake without the proper fishing license. We go to Beaver Lake almost everyday year around, to walk our dogs, paddleboard or just to enjoy it's beauty. Never have I witnessed any dog harass waterfowl, ever! The predators I've seen attack and eat waterfowl are foxes and other birds like eagles or hawks. Banning dogs is a terrible idea and seems like you are punishing the local residents who care for Beaver Lake. We pick up trash on every trip there and I know of other local residents who do the same. Trash is the problem there. What kind of trash do I mostly collect? Fishing line, lures, food wrappers . Fishing line is terrible for wildlife. My suggestions are that you install trash receptacles with weekly service, install promient signage stating that users of Beaver Lake must have a valid fishing license and even more prominent signage stating no trailers are allowed to park there, and to provide poop bags for dog owners to use to clean up after their dogs. Yes Beaver Lake does get crowded on weekends, so making it crystal clear that fishing licenses are required and no trailer parking would be the most helpful solution to this issue.

Beaver Lake Marble As long as I can remember 75 years happily, this lake has been treated as a community playground. So the community has grown. There are more successful ways of preserving the lake other than turning it over to motors. Setting specific days for the differing activities and monitoring. That’s the rub, isn’t it? It has to be a community value.

As a Colorado resident for nearly 25 years and an avid angler I have seen our SWAs go from areas that were used almost exclusively by the anglers and hunters whose license fees paid for them to a low-cost or no-cost alternative for water based recreation that does not involve angling by users who do not support angling and who often are in direct or indirect conflict with the anglers. I have seen the loss of SWA access because of the impacts of these “off-label” users and have experienced the over crowding that happens at some of the popular SWAs in my region when non-hunters and non-anglers arrive for a day at and on the lake. CO has lots of stage, county and municipal parks where non-anglers can and should recreate. The SWAs should be kept for their original intended uses and users. Perhaps the most important action that needs to be taken is much more robust and frequent enforcement of SWA rules and regulations to help educate users and prevent mission creep. I use SWAs at least 20 times per year and in the last two decades I have been contacted by a CPW DWM just twice.
Colorado has a population growth problem and limited natural resources. Changing the nature and purpose of resources that have long been supported by the hunting and angling community to cater to a broader audience that does not support the SWAs in the same manner essentially tells anglers and hunters that they no longer matter and would be best served taking their license dollars elsewhere. Please make the changes AND enforce them and do not forget the original purpose of the SWAs.

Beaver Lake, Marble. Restrict to NO DOGS to protect waterfowl, and water quality. Consider having actual monitoring of who has the required fishing license rather than banning all watercraft.

Please do not prohibit paddle boarding on Beaver Lake. There is no good reason that only people who like to fish get to enjoy being on the water.

I do not support all of the changes. In particular, I take exception to "the use of vessels on state wildlife area waters has been restricted to those being actively used for fishing and/or hunting." I do acknowledge that this is being applied to specific sites only. My friends and I are 'clean' paddlers. We often pick up fishing line, empty bait containers, bobbers and hooks stuck in bushes & trees, shotgun shells, drink and food containers, etc., when we paddle. Despite the trash we pick up, we do know that not all who fish or hunt are disrespectful of the environment. We purchase the SWA pass to support these sites. How do we not punish the paddlers or any users who are responsible when recreating on SWA properties? Making a blanket restriction doesn't solve this problem.

I support the proposed changes. Colorado has a plethora of places to go to experience non-hunting and non-fishing activities. SWA's should be reserved for hunting and fishing.

I am very much in support of the proposed changes and restoring SWAs to their intended purpose. Along with these changes, I would love to see updated signage at SWA entrances with more clear and concise guidelines about how the land may be used.

One of the more beautiful aspects about Colorado compared to other states are the numerous abilities to recreate in the outdoors. There are millions of acres of federal, state, and municipal land to participate in whichever outdoor adventure meets your needs. However one of the largest downsides to these opportunities is the disturbance on wildlife. Most recreational users are not aware of the active disturbance they are having on wildlife and their habitats despite their best intentions of minimizing impact and leaving no trace. Simply by being in the outdoors has an impact. State Wildlife Areas were created to provide hunters exclusive access to land where they would not have to compete with other recreational users and their impact on the sport. The funding is sourced from hunters and should be allocated accordingly back to hunters (without knowing all of the specifics of funding resources, I am assuming the SWA pass revenue is merely meant to be a barrier to entry as opposed to a revenue source). The program was NOT created to provide more general recreation uses. There are millions of acres in the state to participate in other activities, but SWA land should remain exclusive for wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunities. I am in support of the proposed changes.

I enjoy observing wildlife on land and in my kayak. I purchased the new SWA pass to protect wildlife and the habitat. I do not hunt or fish so would prefer not to "pretend" to fish from my kayak if you pass the new rule not allowing non-fishing watercraft. I enjoy the forest service campgrounds adjacent to the reservoirs - as in Williams Reservoir and Big Meadows Reservoir - and love having these so close to home for a nice break. I have never seen more than a few crafts at a time on the reservoir so I am not sure this new ruling would be neccessary in all SWA. I do also appreciate being able to overnight park the van in some of the SWA to enjoy the birds, sunset, peaceful surroundings - I understand if some areas need to be limited but in most cases I am the only one there. Please look at each area as a more case by case basis rather than a one size fits all. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I agree with the proposed changes. These are "State Wildlife Areas" not "State Parks", not "General Outdoor Recreation Areas". These changes may help keep them "wildlife areas".
RSH