Dispersed Camping Management Project

Visitors leave trash and waste behind, which causes sanitation problems. These are a few examples of the abandoned trash and human waste left behind in popular camping areas.

USDA Forest Service and local county firefighters have noted an increase in the number of fires caused by unattended or escaped campfires in dispersed camping sites, which are the leading source of human-caused wildfire ignitions.

As dispersed recreation use increases, so does the risk of human-caused fires. The districts face the challenge of balancing regular workloads with the need to increase fire prevention activities and forest patrols to ensure public safety. To do so, increased forest patrols are required, which requires additional staffing, budget, and materials that currently do not exist.

Scroll through the map below to see current camping closures on the Leadville and Salida Ranger Districts.

The 30-day scoping period for this project concluded on April 4 ^th , 2022. Comments from this period are being assessed to prepare a proposed action, and, to determine any issues that may need to be analyzed in the Environmental Assessment.

There will be another opportunity to provide input during the project comment period this summer.

Visit the  project website  for updates and to stay involved in project development.