Signs remind of changing times

By Linda Bell
Correspondent

Along with the spring wildflowers, new signs popped up in recreational areas of Red Feather Lakes, but some went up and came down again.

Signs at public lakes--Bellaire, Dowdy and West Lake--put campers and day users on notice that they need a State Habitat Stamp to recreate in Colorado Division of Wildlife waters, known as State Wildlife Lakes.

District wildlife officer Jim Jackson said the stamp fee is included in state fishing licenses, but those who just want to canoe or boat also need them. They can be purchased annually anywhere fishing licenses are sold, he said.

Jackson said the Habitat Stamp is based on a 5-year project that started in 2006 and should sunset on Dec. 31, 2011, unless renewed. The intent of the initiative, he said, is to use the income to buy more state land for winter range on the Western Slope.

The Forest Service also put up signs this winter closing the road on the south side of Dowdy Lake, where a campground is located. Access was cut off from the private drive called Dowdy Lane to the end of the road where it runs into an access gate to the Mount Margaret Forest Service block.

Ellen Hodges, Canyon Lakes District ranger, said landowners on either side of the road wanted it closed, but further investigation with Forest Service lawyers and real estate specialists confirmed it is a Forest Service road with right of public access. The signs came down and the road will remain open as before.