Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Monte Vista

07/16/2026

Thank you to the Alamosa Citizen for having our aquatic biologist Estevan Vigil on "The Outdoor Citizen" podcast to talk about this summer's drought and fishing closures.

Note: This was recorded before our two closures on the Rio Grande went into place this week.

Check it out!

We’re joined again by local CPW fisheries biologist Estevan Vigil on the latest episode of The Outdoor Citizen podcast.

07/16/2026

🎣 With low water levels and water temperatures consistently rising near 71 degrees, on Wednesday we enacted voluntary afternoon fishing closures on two stretches of the Rio Grande.

These voluntary fishing closures will remain in place daily from noon to midnight. Signage has been posted along the rivers. CPW will notify the public when the closure is lifted.

“We feel it is important to protect the fish populations in the Rio Grande from low flows and warm temperatures,” said CPW aquatic biologist Estevan Vigil. “The Rio Grande has a long stretch that meets Gold Medal standards for the number of larger fish, and these fish need relief from the high temperatures they are experiencing.”

During the warm summer months, rivers with unusually low flows can experience wide daily water temperature fluctuations, reaching their maximum temperatures in the late afternoon. By implementing a voluntary half-day closure rather than a full day, anglers can still enjoy time on the water in the morning when water temperatures are suitable without stressing fish in the afternoon.

Want to know more about how CPW is managing fisheries during the drought and how closures get implemented? Listen to the latest CPW podcast here: https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2026/06/17/colorado-outdoors-podcast-episode-3-4-fishing-colorado-in-the-2026-drought/

And check out a full list of all the state's closures here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQv8-zuZoYsA6jhM2l76icNnlVKK6NR36qeamBg_6s2f0POK6-nA0s66Nt_TcanQeClTXBvBvZGJls9/pubhtml

More information at the link!
https://cpw.state.co.us/news/07152026/cpw-implements-voluntary-fishing-closures-two-stretches-rio-grande

Home News Releases CPW implements voluntary fishing closures on two stretches of the Rio Grande CPW implements voluntary fishing closures on two stretches of the Rio Grande Southwest Region Share: John Livingston Southwest Region Public Information Officer 970-759-9590 / [email protected]....

07/03/2026

Attention anglers:

We have implemented a voluntary afternoon fishing closure on the Conejos River from Platoro down to Broyles Bridge at County Road D.5. Signage has been posted.

Low flows paired with warm water temperatures reaching 71 degrees have led to this closure. Help be part of the solution by not fishing from noon to midnight until the closure is lifted. We’d like to avoid mandatory closures.

MORE INFO: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/07012026/cpw-enacts-voluntary-afternoon-fishing-closure-conejos-river

06/18/2026

Just a quick reminder that our office will be closed on the following holidays for the 2026 calendar year.
We hope you all enjoy this long weekend!

Friday, June 19, 2026 - Juneteenth
Friday, July 3, 2026 - Independence Day
Monday, September 7, 2026 - Labor Day
Monday, October 5, 2026 - Frances Xavier Cabrini Day
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 - Veterans' Day
Thursday, November 26, 2026 - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, December 25, 2026 - Christmas Day

Send a message to learn more

06/12/2026

Another Beaver Creek Youth Conservation Camp is in the books! All of the Wildlife Group was awesome! As promised, here are the results of the top 3 in our Bighorn Sheep coloring contest, and are posted in our office. Congratulations to Olivia, Jim, and Decker!!! The rest of the group deserves an honorable mention, they were all that good!

02/20/2026

02/20/2026

Due to extreme weather conditions, the office will open at 10am this morning. We hope you stay warm and enjoy the snow!

02/06/2026

Attention all hunters!
Our district wildlife manager William Miedema will be putting on a free hunter's education course at Russell Lakes State Wildlife area on February 28th & March 1st from 8:00am-4:00pm.
This is a standard course, so no internet portion is required.
For more information and to register, please click here: