2 Colo. Code Regs. § 406-5-504

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 2 CCR 406-5-504 - SPECIAL CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS

A. General

The State of Colorado is divided into two migratory waterfowl flyways consisting of the Pacific Flyway which includes all lands west of the Continental Divide, and the Central Flyway which includes all lands east of the Continental Divide.

1. A person may take in any one day, during the open season prescribed, not to exceed the number of migratory game birds and waterfowl permitted in this chapter. When so taken such birds may be possessed in the numbers specified in this chapter, except that no person on the opening day of the season may possess any migratory game birds or waterfowl in excess of the applicable daily limits and no person may possess any freshly killed migratory game birds or waterfowl during the closed season for such birds.

2. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to permit the taking of migratory game birds or waterfowl on any Federal reservation or sanctuary, or any area of the United States set aside under any law, proclamation, or executive order for use as a bird, game, or other wildlife reservation, breeding ground, or refuge, or on any area designated as a closed area under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act except as may be permitted by these regulations.

3. No migratory game bird or waterfowl may be taken at any time, or by any means, from, on or across any highway, road, designated trail, or other right of-way, whether public or private, within the exterior boundaries of any established national wildlife refuge.

4. Open seasons are established only on such migratory game birds and waterfowl as are herein designated. Exceptions to daily bag and possession limits and to the hours of hunting stated in Federal Migratory Bird regulations shall be as prescribed in this chapter.

5. Descriptions of all closures, specific areas, and areas with special restrictions in this chapter begin with the northern boundary and are described in clockwise rotation, with all roads or designations listed connecting to the next in the progression. The following standard abbreviations are used throughout this chapter:

Colorado State highways: Col

County: Co

County roads: Co Rd

Interstate highways: I-

Road: Rd

U.S. (Federal) highways: US

Note: Migratory bird hunting closures and special provisions and restrictions for Division properties are found in Chapter W-9.

B. Possession of Live Birds

Every migratory game bird wounded by hunting and reduced to possession by the hunter shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit. No person shall at any time, or by any means, possess or transport live migratory game birds taken under the provisions of this chapter.

C. Possession of Plumage and Skin of Migratory Birds and Waterfowl.

1. No permit is necessary to possess and transport for his own use the plumage and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds and waterfowl.

2. Personal use of feathers or skins any person for his own use may possess, transport, ship, import, and export without a permit the feathers and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds.

D. Commercial Use of Feathers

Any person may possess, purchase, sell, barter, or transport for the making of fishing flies, bed pillows, and mattresses, and for similar commercial uses the feathers of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) killed by hunting pursuant to these regulations, or seized and condemned by Federal or State game authorities except that:

1. No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds taken under authority of this chapter, and;

2. No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell or barter mounted specimens of migratory game birds taken under authority of this chapter.

E. Most Restrictive Federal or State Law Shall Apply

Federal and State laws and regulations govern the taking of all migratory birds, in all cases, the most restrictive State or Federal regulation shall apply by species.

F. Processing, Storage and Tagging Required

No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at his personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, or storage (including temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds or package or container of such birds has a tag attached, signed by the hunter, stating the hunter's address, the total number and species of birds, the date such birds were killed, and the hunter's hunting license number.

G. Custody of Birds of Another Person

No person shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required in item F.

H. Migratory Bird Preservation Facilities

No preservation facility shall:

1. Receive, possess or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person for purposes of picking, cleaning, freezing, processing, storage or shipment, unless accurate records are maintained showing (1) the number of each species, (2) the date such birds were received, (3) the date such birds were disposed of, and (4) the name and address of the person to whom such birds were delivered, or

2. Destroy any records required to be maintained under this section for a period of one (1) year following the last entry on the record, or

3. Prevent any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this regulation from entering such facilities at all reasonable hours and inspecting the records and the premises where such operations are being carried on.

I. Closures

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited within the area bounded on the north by the Colorado-Wyoming state line; on the east and south by I-76, Colo 71, US 36, and I-70; and on the west by the Continental Divide and the Larimer-Jackson county line and in Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Mesa, Otero, and Prowers counties.

a. Within fifty (50) yards on each side of the center line of any public road.

b. Within one-hundred-fifty (150) yards of any dwelling including the air space directly above this closure, without first obtaining permission from the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the dwelling.

2. Hunting is restricted as specified below:

a.Barr Lake State Park, Adams County

1. A reservation is required to hunt and hunters must check-in and out at the check station. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I of these regulations.

2. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited, except on opening day and Saturdays and Wednesdays. Hunters may only hunt the area reserved, and only from designated blinds with a maximum of three (3) hunters per blind.

3. Dove hunting prohibited, except on opening day and Sundays and Mondays during the month of September. Dove hunters may only hunt from designated stations with a maximum of three (3) hunters per station.

4. Hunting areas not reserved will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis after 5 am. Reserved hunting areas not occupied by 7:00 am are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

b.Boyd Lake State Park, Larimer County

1. A reservation is required to hunt waterfowl. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I, except that reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting 14 days in advance of the hunt date and may be made or canceled up to the starting time of the reserved time slot. Hunters may only hunt in the designated zone and time slot reserved.

2. Leaving decoys set overnight is prohibited.

c.Colorado River, Grand County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited after November 14, from Shadow Mountain Dam downstream to Twin Creek.

d.Colorado River, Mesa County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited on and within 200 yards of the Colorado River from the Grand Avenue Bridge in Grand Junction to the west end of Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area (SWA) Wednesday through Friday of each week, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

2. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited on and within 200 yards of the river from Appleton Drain to the west end of the Walker SWA.

3. A reservation is required to hunt waterfowl from designated blinds along the Riverfront Trail between Fruita and Loma. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I.

e.Grand Lake and Windy Gap Reservoir, Grand County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited on the lakes and within 100 yards of the high water line.

f.Highline Lake State Park, Mesa County

1. Waterfowl and small game hunting on Highline Lake is prohibited on Saturdays and Sundays except for youth hunting waterfowl during the youth waterfowl season weekend.

2. Small game hunting is limited to that portion of Highline Lake State Park bounded on the north and the east by the park property boundaries; on the south by the no wake buoy line; and on the west by Mack Mesa Reservoir.

3. A reservation is required to hunt waterfowl. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I of these regulations.

4. Hunters may only hunt the area reserved and only from designated blinds with a maximum of four (4) hunters per blind.

g.James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, Mesa County

1. Waterfowl hunting on the 34 Road Parcel is prohibited, except on Saturdays and Sundays. A reservation is required to hunt. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I of these regulations.

2. Hunters may only hunt the areas reserved and must park in designated areas. Hunters may only hunt from designated blinds, with a maximum of two (2) hunters per blind on the 34 Road Parcel and four (4) hunters per blind on the remainder of the state park.

h.Pueblo County- No person shall discharge a firearm or release an arrow for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 150 yards of any dwelling, including the airspace directly above this closure, without first obtaining permission from the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the dwelling.

i.Prewitt Reservoir, Logan and Washington counties

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited as posted.

j.Stagecoach State Park, Routt County

1. Waterfowl hunting is limited to designated waterfowl hunting zones only, with a maximum of six (6) hunters per zone.

2. Waterfowl hunting on this property is by reservation only. Reservations must be made in accordance with #504.I of these regulations. Hunters with reservations may only hunt the hunt zone specified on the reservation. Hunters must follow check-in and out procedures as posted at the property.

3. Hunting zones not reserved are available on a first-come, first-serve basis after 5:00 am. Reserved hunting zones unoccupied by 7:00 am will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, any hunting zone must be yielded at any time upon request of a hunter holding a valid and active reservation for that zone.

k.Sweitzer Lake, Delta County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited, except on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and state and federal holidays after Labor Day.

2. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited, except in the six (6) designated hunt zones.

3. From 5:00 am until 12:00 pm, reservations are required to hunt waterfowl in accordance with #504.I. Reserved zones which are unoccupied by 7:00 am will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, any hunt zone must be yielded at any time upon request of a hunter holding a valid and active reservation for that zone.

4. Reservations are not required to hunt waterfowl from 1:00 pm until sunset, and hunting is on a first-come, first-served basis.

5. Leaving decoys overnight is prohibited.

l.Trinidad State Recreation Area, Las Animas County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited as posted.

m.Turk's Ponds Area, Baca County

1. All human activity is prohibited within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the high water line around Turk's Pond including the administrative buildings, from the opening day of the regular duck season through the last day of the regular dark goose season as posted. Hunters are allowed inside the closure only to retrieve downed waterfowl. Hunters must leave firearms outside of closure.

2. No person shall discharge a firearm or release an arrow from, upon or across an area 50 yards on each side of the centerline of any public road.

n.Vancil Reservoir, Morgan County

1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited as posted.

3. Hunting is prohibited in the areas listed below, as posted by the Division.

a.Crawford State Recreation Area, Delta County

1. Hunting is prohibited, except after Labor Day.

b.Lower Latham Reservoir, Weld County

c.Meredith Reservoir, Crowley County

4. Hunting geese is prohibited as specified in the areas listed below:

a.Dillon Reservoir, Summit County

1. Hunting geese is prohibited Saturday through Monday of Labor Day weekend.

b.Empire Reservoir, Weld and Morgan Counties

1. Hunting geese is prohibited below the high water line and from any portion of the dam and inlet structures.

c.Fossil Creek Reservoir, Larimer County

1. Hunting geese is prohibited as posted.

d.Jumbo Reservoir, Logan and Sedgwick Counties

1. Hunting geese is prohibited in the area bounded on the north by Logan Co Rd 70/Sedgwick Co Rd 28; on the east by Sedgwick Co Rd 3; on the south by Sedgwick Co Rd 24.8/Logan Co Rd 970; and on the west by Logan Co Rd 95.

e.Ovid-Julesburg Corridor, Sedgwick County

1. Hunting geese through the dark geese season is prohibited in the area bounded on the north by US 138; on the east by US 385; on the south by I-76; and on the west by Sedgwick Co Rd 29.

5. On properties specified in #504(I)(6), which have reservations available or required, those reservations may be made by phone or online (cpw.state.co.us). Reservations for waterfowl hunting may not be made more than 14 days in advance of the hunt date, nor after 12:00 noon on the day before the hunt date. Hunters who wish to cancel a reservation must do so no later than 12:00 noon on the day before the hunt date. Failure to hunt a reserved area without prior cancellation, or follow check station procedures, may cause forfeiture of the privilege to make reservations for the remainder of the hunting season. Hunters are limited to a maximum of one reservation per hunt date. Hunters must possess a valid license for the species to be hunted in order to make a reservation. Reservations are not transferable. The individual named on the reservation must be at the property on the day of the hunt. Hunters with reservations may only hunt the hunt area specified on the reservation. Any exceptions to the above restrictions will be listed under property specific regulations in #504.I and #901.B.

6. Reservations for waterfowl hunting are available or required on the following properties:

a. Andrick Ponds State Wildlife Area

b. Banner Lakes State Wildlife Area

c. Barr Lake State Park

d. Boyd Lake State Park

e. Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area

f. Colorado River Island State Wildlife Area

g. Centennial Valley State Wildlife Area

h. Elliott State Wildlife Area

i. Flanders Ranch State Wildlife Area

j. Franklin Island State Wildlife Area

k. Highline Lake State Park

l. Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area

m. Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area

n. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

o. Mitani-Tokuyasu State Wildlife Area

p. Orchard Mesa Wildlife Area

q. Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area

r. Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area

s. Stagecoach State Park

t. Sweitzer Lake State Park

u. Whitehorse State Wildlife Area

2 CCR 406-5-504

37 CR 15, August 10, 2014, effective 9/1/2014

37 CR 17, September 10, 2014, effective 10/1/2014

38 CR 15, August 10, 2015, effective 9/1/2015

38 CR 17, September 10, 2015, effective 10/1/2015

39 CR 07, April 10, 2016, effective 5/1/2016

39 CR 19, October 10, 2016, effective 11/1/2016

40 CR 03, February 10, 2017, effective 3/2/2017

40 CR 07, April 10, 2017, effective 5/1/2017

40 CR 13, July 10, 2017, effective 8/1/2017

40 CR 23, December 10, 2017, effective 1/1/2018

41 CR 07, April 10, 2018, effective 5/1/2018

42 CR 11, June 10, 2019, effective 7/1/2019

43 CR 03, February 10, 2020, effective 3/1/2020

43 CR 11, June 10, 2020, effective 6/30/2020

43 CR 19, October 10, 2020, effective 11/1/2020

44 CR 07, April 10, 2021, effective 5/1/2021

45 CR 07, April 10, 2022, effective 5/1/2022

46 CR 07, April 10, 2023, effective 5/1/2023