DENVER – Nature belongs to all of us, and recreating responsibly shows you care about keeping our landscapes healthy and wildlife thriving. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is sharing a few safety tips ahead of the holiday weekend to help you balance your outdoor recreation with mindful conservation.

Be Careful with Fire

• Colorado’s low humidity can create dry, dangerous conditions that impact if fires are allowed or restricted.
• Check fire restrictions or bans before you go. Visit www.coemergency.com to find county-specific fire information. 
• Avoid parking or driving on dry grass. Check your tire pressure, exhaust pipes and if chains or exposed wheel rims are dragging from your vehicle that may create sparks. 
• Use designated campfire areas when allowed and available. 
• Keep campfires small and manageable.
• Put fires out with water until you can touch the embers.
• Never leave a campfire unattended and report campfires that have been left burning.
• Fireworks are not permitted on Front Range public lands.

Wear a Life Jacket

Enjoy the water, but always do so with a life jacket on – they save lives. Before going onto the water make sure you are carrying basic safety gear:

• Wear your life jacket​
• Check your boat and all required boating safety gear.
• Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
• Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. 
• Stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. 
• Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.

Be Bear Aware

Staying bear aware while on trails and when camping helps keep bears wild and reduces human-bear conflicts. For more resources and information on how to be “bear aware,” visit cpw.state.co.us.

• Safely store food, beverages and toiletries in campsite lockers called bear boxes (if provided), in bear-proof containers away from your tent or locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
• Keep a clean campsite. Scrape grill grates after use and clean used dishes. 
• Never bring food or anything that smells like food into your tent. 
• Lock cars and RVs whenever you leave your site and at night and close windows. 
• Stay alert and respect forage areas like berry patches and oak brush.
• Keep dogs leashed at all times.
• NEVER feed or approach a bear. 

Know Before You Go

• • Be aware of weather conditions, water temperatures and trail closures where you plan to visit. 
  • Camping reservations are required at Colorado State Parks. 
  • Use the CPW Park Finder to learn about outdoor activities available at each state park and visit the park’s web page to learn about park or trail closures. 
  • Tools such as COTREX provide additional outdoor opportunities in the surrounding areas if your desired trailhead, park or location is crowded or closed.
  • On a holiday weekend, expect lines and potential gate closures. Have a backup plan and please be kind to park staff and other park visitors.

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