Common Messaging from NoCo Places Agencies
Our collaborative efforts include the creation of common messaging of which all eight NoCo Places agencies stand behind. Sharing land stewardship and safety messages across county, state, and federal public land management agencies helps to increase the likelihood of the messages sticking with the visitors to public lands.
Our messaging is free to share and customize for your agency. Email us to receive messaging kits: info@nocoplaces2050.com
Tips for Enjoying Winter in Northern Colorado
Winter in Northern Colorado ushers in different types of recreation that residents and visitors alike wait all year to enjoy. Whether skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or biking, people take full advantage of the opportunities that freshly fallen snow provides. Just as recreation is different in the winter, so is wildlife behavior and the types of encounters people may experience.
NoCo Places collaborated on winter recreation safety messages and created a video series with tips for enjoying the Colorado winter, safely.
Skills Before Thrills: Winter Edition
- Educate yourself on avalanche risk before heading into the backcountry. Take avalanche classes, and view the forecast and warnings from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center
- Check weather and ice conditions before trekking out onto ice. Four inches of ice is generally considered safe for people ice fishing and ice skating.
- If a fall through ice occurs, use elbows to crawl onto solid ice, kick feet to get out. Get warm quickly and call 911.
- Bring multiple navigation tools including a cell phone, GPS unit, paper map, and compass. Route finding skills are critical, especially in winter.
All Season Stewardship
- Winter trail conditions can vary greatly from morning to afternoon and from foothills to mountains. Wear appropriate footwear, and walk through mud, not around it, to avoid trail widening and damage.
- Know before you go: know which parks and trails are closed during the winter by checking Colorado Trails Explorer (COTREX) or another trail app before you leave home.
- Pick up dog waste. Dog waste does not biodegrade like wildlife waste and will be washed into watersheds along with melting snow. Know which parks allow dogs.
Winter Wildlife Awareness
- Avoid disturbing deer and elk in their winter ranges. Do not approach. Stress from disturbance in the winter can cause death in the spring. Leash and control dogs.
- Resist the temptation to feed wildlife. It’s illegal, dangerous, and can kill the animal.
- Be aware that some wildlife use snow-packed trails during the winter. Never rush wildlife off trails, give them plenty of space and time, stay quiet.
