Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued an emergency Colorado River closure on Monday for all public access and recreation downstream from the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to the Utah state line. In a press release, CPW said the closure is immediate to ensure public and firefighter safety due to the Snyder Fire, which as of Monday night had scorched over 30,000 acres and was burning in McInnis Canyon.
Rafters and boaters are encouraged to take out in Grand Junction at the Blue Heron boat launch or farther upstream.
All boating activities are prohibited within the restricted area, including jet boats, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and paddleboarding.
Horsethief State Wildlife Area and Loma Boat Launch State Wildlife Area are also closed as are all BLM-managed public lands in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.
The Colorado River closure is expected to remain in place through the Fourth of July weekend. Everything upstream of Fruita remains open to the public.
