GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife has issued an emergency closure for all public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River from James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to the Utah state line. 

Working with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, CPW implemented the closure to ensure public safety and support firefighting efforts on the Snyder Fire amid anticipated high fire-weather conditions and the potential for rapid fire spread, according to a June 29 news release.

All boating and floating are prohibited within the restricted area, including jet boats, rafts, kayaks, canoes, tubes and paddleboards.

Boaters and floaters are encouraged to take out in Grand Junction at the Blue Heron boat launch or upstream.

The closure is expected to remain in effect through the Fourth of July weekend and applies only to the river from Fruita downstream to the state line. The river upstream of Fruita remains open.

CPW is urging the public to respect the closure for safety and to allow firefighters and emergency responders to work unimpeded. Violations may result in fines, citations and trespassing charges.

CPW said that Horsethief State Wildlife Area and Loma Boat Launch State Wildlife Area are also closed to the public.

Separately, the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office has issued an emergency public closure of all BLM-managed public lands in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.